Introduction and Context
In Sudan, same-sex relations remain criminalised, and LGBT individuals face widespread repression. Despite recent political changes, including the 2019 revolution, the state continues to enforce discriminatory laws that criminalise consensual same-sex intimacy. These laws, combined with social stigma and violence, force LGBT Sudanese into secrecy, fear, and often exile.

While Sudan abolished the death penalty for same-sex relations in 2020, prison sentences of up to five years remain, with repeat convictions punishable by longer imprisonment. This legal framework sustains a climate of hostility, where state forces and communities alike target LGBT people for harassment and abuse.

This article examines the legal framework, the lived experiences of LGBT Sudanese, and the urgent need for reform and protection.


Legal Framework and State Policy
For decades, Sudan’s penal code criminalised same-sex relations with harsh punishments, including flogging and death. In July 2020, reforms reduced the penalties but stopped short of decriminalisation. Today, same-sex intimacy is still illegal, and individuals risk arrest, trial, and imprisonment.

Authorities justify these laws as reflecting “Sudanese values,” but in practice they entrench repression. Police have used accusations of homosexuality to intimidate, arrest, or extort individuals. Reports indicate that LGBT persons detained under these laws are frequently subjected to torture, abuse, or sexual violence in custody.

The absence of anti-discrimination legislation leaves LGBT Sudanese unprotected in every sphere of life, from employment to housing and healthcare.


Lived Experiences and Social Stigma
Beyond legal repression, LGBT people in Sudan endure profound social stigma. Public discourse often labels homosexuality as immoral or foreign, leading to harassment and violence.

Families may disown members suspected of being gay, while communities subject them to ostracism. Reports from activists describe LGBT individuals being beaten in public, outed online, or forced into marriages to conceal their identities.

Lesbian women and transgender individuals are especially vulnerable, facing intersecting discrimination based on both gender and sexuality. The lack of safe spaces means most LGBT Sudanese live in silence, fearful of exposure.


Exile and International Protection
For many LGBT Sudanese, leaving the country is the only way to live safely. Activists and ordinary citizens alike flee to neighbouring countries or seek asylum in Europe, North America, or the Middle East.

Yet exile carries its own risks. In refugee camps, LGBT individuals often face the same discrimination and abuse as in Sudan, compounded by lack of recognition in asylum procedures. Proving persecution based on sexuality is difficult, especially for those forced to hide their identities for survival.

International organisations have documented these challenges, calling for stronger asylum protections and greater awareness of the risks faced by LGBT Sudanese.


Accountability, Reform, and Conclusion
Sudan’s criminalisation and repression of same-sex relations violate international human rights standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Key steps for change include:
- Decriminalisation: repeal laws criminalising same-sex relations.
- Legal protections: enact anti-discrimination legislation covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Awareness and advocacy: promote dialogue to challenge stigma and foster acceptance.
- International solidarity: support Sudanese LGBT asylum seekers and apply diplomatic pressure for reforms.

Until Sudan repeals its repressive laws and addresses entrenched discrimination, LGBT Sudanese will remain among the most vulnerable. Their courage to survive, resist, and speak out—even in the face of criminalisation—highlights the urgent need for justice and recognition of universal human dignity.