Ghana passes bill making identifying as LGBTQ+ illegal

On Monday, Ghana’s parliament passed a bill that criminalizes identifying as LGBTQ+. The bill, officially known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, is aimed at “protecting the family” and promoting traditional values.

Under the new law, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ could face up to 10 years in prison. The bill also prohibits the advocacy or promotion of LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.

Human rights activists have condemned the bill, saying it violates the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and goes against international human rights standards. The United Nations and several other international organizations have called on Ghana to repeal the law.

However, supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to preserve Ghanaian cultural and religious values. They believe that identifying as LGBTQ+ goes against traditional norms and could threaten the institution of marriage and the family.

It remains to be seen how this new law will be enforced and what impact it will have on LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana.