LGBTQ rights in São Tomé and Príncipe

{{Infobox LGBT rights

| location_header = São Tomé and Príncipe

| image = Location São Tomé and Príncipe AU Africa.svg

| caption = São Tomé and Príncipe

| legal_status = Legal since 2012

| gender_identity_expression = No

| recognition_of_relationships = No

| recognition_of_relationships_restrictions =

| adoption = No

| military = No

| discrimination_protections = Yes (sexual orientation only)

}}

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in São Tomé and Príncipe face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal in São Tomé and Príncipe, however LGBTQ persons face stigmatization among the broader population.

São Tomé and Príncipe was one of the few African states that signed a "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBTQ people.

Laws regarding same-sex sexual activity

Under the Penal Code of São Tomé and Príncipe that took effect in November 2012, same-sex sexual activity is legal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rjcplp.org/sections/informacao/anexos/legislacao-sao-tome-e2539/codigos-e-estatutos-sao2859/codigo-penal-sao-tome-e/downloadFile/file/Codigo_Penal.pdf?nocache=1365762644.85 |title=Código Penal: Aprovado pela Lei 6/2012 |access-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101428/http://www.rjcplp.org/sections/informacao/anexos/legislacao-sao-tome-e2539/codigos-e-estatutos-sao2859/codigo-penal-sao-tome-e/downloadFile/file/Codigo_Penal.pdf?nocache=1365762644.85 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=usurped}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.telanon.info/politica/2012/11/08/11725/novo-codigo-penal-ja-entrou-em-vigor |title=Novo Código Penal já entrou em vigor |date=November 8, 2012 |website=www.telanon.info |access-date=March 1, 2021}} Since 2021, the age of consent is 18 years regardless of sexual orientation or gender (Law No. 15/2021, relating to the First Amendment to the Penal Code).{{cite web |title=Law No. 15/2021, relating to the First Amendment to the Penal Code |url=https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/113412/L%2015%2021.pdf |access-date=1 April 2025}} Previously, the age of consent was 16.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

São Tomé and Príncipe does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships.

{{Cite web |last=Mendos |first=Lucas Ramon |date=2020-12-01 |title=State-Sponsored Homophobia |url=https://ilga.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ILGA_World_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_report_global_legislation_overview_update_December_2020.pdf}}

Discrimination protections

The Labour Code 2019 Article 16.2 bans workplace discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation, among other grounds.

No worker or job candidate can be privileged, benefited, harmed, deprived of any right or exempt from any duty in reason, namely, of ancestry and social origin, race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, genetic heritage, ability to reduced work, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, political beliefs or ideological and union affiliation.{{Cite web |title=NATLEX - Sao Tome and Principe - Ley núm. 6/2019, de 16 de noviembre de 2018, que aprueba el Código del Trabajo |url=https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=108354 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=natlex.ilo.org}}

Under Article 130(2)(d) of the Penal Code, crimes motivated by hatred of the victim's sexual orientation are eligible for enhanced sentencing.

Public opinion

A 2016 poll found that 46% of Sāo Toméans would like or not mind having an LGBTQ neighbor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/africa-gay-worst/|title=What are the best and worst countries to be gay in Africa?|date=2016-03-01|website=Gay Star News|access-date=2019-07-03|archive-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207003625/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/africa-gay-worst/|url-status=dead}}