french organizations and officials rally against Senegal’s anti-lgbtq+ laws

In response to Senegal’s March 11 vote that criminalizes same-sex relationships with prison sentences ranging from five to ten years, French LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and officials are stepping up efforts to support affected individuals. STOP homophobie, one of the leading organizations, is currently assisting 68 detainees in Senegal, providing legal aid and emergency resources.

The association has also arranged shelter for several refugees in the Paris region and is facilitating the relocation of about fifty people to France. To manage the surge in support requests, STOP homophobie launched a dedicated hotline. “Just two weeks ago, we had received over 3,000 calls, and our team was overwhelmed,” explains Terrence Khatchadourian, the organization’s general secretary.

“France must do more to protect lgbtq+ individuals”

Despite these efforts, activists argue that more needs to be done. Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate and former deputy mayor of Paris, emphasizes the urgency: “Every message I receive reflects people struggling to secure humanitarian visas. Right now, France is falling short in its duty to protect those fleeing persecution.”

Ian Brossat, a Paris city councilor, is set to propose a motion in the upcoming municipal council meeting to allocate housing for Senegalese individuals seeking refuge from anti-LGBTQ+ violence. “Expressing outrage over the situation in Senegal is important, but enabling those affected to find safety in France is what truly matters,” he states.