Liberia's House of Representatives has tasked its Gender, Health, and Judiciary Committees with reviewing a proposal to amend the anti-homosexuality law.
Submitted by Representative Johnson Williams, the bill aims to criminalize homosexuality, citing the 1986 Constitution's call to preserve Liberian culture.
Liberia's penal code currently defines consensual same-sex sexual activity as "voluntary sodomy," a first-degree misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of up to L$1000, up to one year in prison, or both.
The proposed legislation is amended to include a new section in the penal code that will criminalize homosexuality altogether.
The bill was read in the House and sent to a committee for further review.
“This bill seeks to lay to rest and to rescue this country the same way we wage the war on drugs. It’s the same way we need to act for homosexuality in our country. As we speak, young people are being contaminated by this act, and it’s about time for it to come to an end,” local media quoted the River Gee lawmaker as saying.
Representative Williams argued that the law will clearly define Liberia's stance on gay issues. LGBT+* people in Liberia face harassment and discrimination, with same-sex activities already punishable by up to three years in prison.
"The Republic shall preserve, protect, and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that traditional values which are compatible with public and national progress are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of Liberian society," the bill read.
In 2012, stronger anti-LGBT bills failed to pass. The biggest proposed sentence for same-sex sexual activity was 10 years in prison, classified as a misdemeanor.
Current Liberian law applies to any oral or sodomy sexual partners who are “not husband and wife or living together as husband and wife although not legally married,” regardless of gender.
If it is the defendant's third conviction within five years for first-degree misdemeanors or serious crimes, the court may sentence him to a third-degree felony if it believes there is an exceptional need for rehabilitative or incapacitating measures for public safety.
"For a felony of the third degree, to a definite term of imprisonment to be fixed by the court, the maximum of which shall be three years," the law reads.
Same-sex marriage and gender-affirming hormone treatment are not allowed in the country as well.
A constitutional ban on marriage and same-sex sexual activity is found illegal in some other African nations, such as Kenya, Mali, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Since 2010, the Kenyan Constitution has banned same-sex marriage. Sodomy is punished by 14 years in jail under Kenya's Penal Code, whereas any sexual behavior between males is penalized by 5 years.
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality laws impose severe penalties on same-sex relationships, including life imprisonment. The legislation, introduced in 2009, has strengthened over the years, as in March 2023, the Ugandan Parliament enacted a bill punishing forced same-sex intercourse with minors, debilitated people, and HIV carriers with the death sentence.
Nigeria has criminalized homosexuality and made it unlawful for straight relatives, friends, and allies to assist LGBT persons. A heterosexual ally "who administers, witnesses, abets, or aids" gender non-conforming and gay activities in Nigeria faces a 10-year prison sentence.
* The "LGBT movement" is classified as extremist by the Russian authorities and is banned in Russia.