A recent report from the Sierra Leone Monitor has estimated that the LGBTQ community in Sierra Leone now numbers approximately 95,000, a significant increase from earlier estimates, though the figure remains unverified.
Media sources suggest the number reflects substantial community growth over the past decade, but critics and analysts warn that the estimate’s methodology and sources have not been publicly disclosed, casting doubt on its accuracy.
Previous estimates have placed the LGBTQ population at much lower levels. For instance, a 2013 government-related report estimated that around 20,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) reside in Sierra Leone .
Legally, male same-sex activity remains criminalised under Sierra Leone’s Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, which carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment—though enforcement has been rare in recent years . Female same-sex activity remains legal, demonstrating a complex legal and social environment.
Experts say that, regardless of the exact population figure, LGBTQ individuals in Sierra Leone continue to face significant social stigma, discrimination, and vulnerability. While some legal protection was extended under the 2023 Employment Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexuality in employment, broader protections remain absent .
The large discrepancy between the new figure and earlier estimates highlights the urgent need for comprehensive, transparent, and methodologically rigorous research to understand the size and needs of Sierra Leone’s LGBTQ community. Without reliable data, advocates warn it is difficult to develop effective policies and protections that uphold this population’s rights.
