French civil society organizations and political leaders are stepping up efforts to support LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal, following the country’s recent passage of a law criminalizing same-sex relationships. The legislation, approved in March, imposes prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for violations, sparking international concern.
Among those leading the response is the advocacy group STOP Homophobie, which is currently providing assistance to 68 detained individuals in Senegal. Additionally, the organization has extended support to several refugees in the Paris region and is facilitating the relocation of dozens more to France. To address the growing demand for help, STOP Homophobie has established a dedicated hotline, which has been inundated with calls.
Terrence Khatchadourian, the group’s secretary-general, revealed that the association has received over 3,000 calls in recent weeks. “Our phone lines were completely overwhelmed just two weeks ago,” he stated. “The volume of calls was beyond what our team could handle.”
Criticism of France’s response
Despite these efforts, activists argue that more must be done. Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, a prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate and former deputy mayor of Paris, criticized the French government’s response as insufficient. “I’ve received countless messages from individuals struggling to obtain humanitarian visas,” he said. “France is failing to live up to its responsibilities.”
In a move to address the crisis, Ian Brossat, a Paris city councilor, is proposing a resolution to allocate housing for Senegalese refugees fleeing persecution. “Expressing outrage over the situation in Senegal is one thing,” Brossat remarked. “Providing refuge to those in danger is another—and it’s what truly matters.”
