Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Cape Verde are afforded greater protections than those in many other African countries. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Cape Verde. Additionally, since 2008, employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned, making Cape Verde one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people. Nevertheless, Cape Verde does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages, meaning that same-sex couples may still face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are still not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Cape Verde, along with other former Portuguese colonies, is one of the most LGBT-friendly African nations. The country's first LGBT event was held in June 2013 in the city of Mindelo. Due to its close relationship to Portugal and Brazil, Cape Verde has occasionally been described as the most tolerant nation in Africa with regards to LGBT people, though there are still reports of societal discrimination.
Laws regarding same-sex sexual acts
In the 1886 Penal Code, Article 71 stated that unnatural acts were illegal. In 2004, Cape Verde amended its Penal Code to remove all provisions relating to consensual homosexual sex, thus becoming the second African country to decriminalize homosexuality after South Africa. At the time of decriminalization, the legal age of consent was 16 years old, the same age for consensual heterosexual acts. As of 2015, the age of consent in Cape Verde is 14.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace has been banned by articles 45 and 406 of the Labour Code since 2008. The penalty is a fine with the specific monetary amount varying on a case-by-case basis. This makes Cape Verde one of the only African countries to have such protections for LGBT people, and the only one not in Southern Africa. Article 406 reads:
The most popular transgender person and activist in Cape Verde is Tchinda Andrade, who came out as transgender in a local newspaper in 1998. She has been described by CNN as the "mother hen" of the local transgender community, and transgender people in Cape Verde are often referred to as "tchindas" by locals. Tchindas, a 2015 documentary which follows Andrade's preparations for the São Vicente Carnival, won multiple awards including the Grand Jury Award at Outfest and was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award.
Living conditions
In line with other former Portuguese African colonies, Cape Verde is reported to be one of the most tolerant countries in Africa towards gays and lesbians. The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "legal provisions helped provide protection for homosexual conduct; however, societal discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity continued to be a problem. There were no lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons' organizations active in the country." By 2013, however, the Associação Gay de Cabo Verde had been established. The group organised the first pride parade in Cape Verde in June 2013, held in Mindelo, the second largest city in the country. Cape Verde became the second country in Africa to hold a gay pride parade after South Africa. Three years later, the first pride parade in the capital city of Praia took place. Since then, other groups have begun working on LGBT rights, including the Associação LGBTI de Praia and the Associação Arco Iris, as well as the Cape Verdean Institute for Gender Equality and Equity. In 2018, the Praia Pride parade was organised with the help of the ICIEG and the Praia Government. Participants called for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation. São Vicente is known for being very welcoming to the LGBT community.
United Nations
In 2008, Cape Verde was one of 66 countries that signed a United Nations General Assembly document stating that human rights are not limited based on sexual orientations or gender identities. In 2011, it signed a second document condemned violence and discrimination against LGBT people, joining 95 other countries, including 9 other African countries.
Public opinion
A 2016 Afrobarometer opinion poll found that 74% of Cape Verdeans would welcome or would not be bothered by having a homosexual neighbour. Cape Verde was one of the only four countries polled with a majority in favour, Mozambique, and Namibia ).
