French associations and officials rally to support Senegal’s lgbt+ community under threat

French civil society and political figures are stepping up efforts to assist LGBT+ individuals in Senegal after the country enacted strict anti-homosexuality legislation in March, imposing prison sentences of up to a decade for same-sex relations. The association STOP homophobie is currently providing support to 68 detainees in Senegal, in addition to sheltering a small number of refugees in the Paris region and facilitating the relocation of dozens more to France.

A dedicated hotline established by the group is inundated with calls—nearly 3,000 in just two weeks—exceeding its capacity to respond effectively. Terrence Khatchadourian, secretary-general of STOP homophobie, noted that the volume of inquiries has overwhelmed their systems: “Our phones haven’t stopped ringing. Two weeks ago, we reached 3,000 calls, and our infrastructure couldn’t handle the surge.”

mounting criticism of France’s response

Despite these efforts, activists argue that France’s actions remain insufficient. Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, a prominent LGBT+ rights advocate and former deputy mayor of Paris, expressed frustration over the challenges faced by Senegalese individuals seeking humanitarian visas: “Every message we receive highlights the same issue—people can’t secure humanitarian visas. France’s response is simply not adequate.”

Ian Brossat, a Paris city councilor and communist senator, is set to propose a municipal resolution today to allocate housing for Senegalese refugees fleeing persecution. “Expressing outrage over the situation in Senegal is important, but offering refuge to those in danger is what truly matters,” he emphasized.

a growing crisis in West Africa

The new law in Senegal has intensified persecution of LGBT+ individuals, prompting urgent calls for international intervention. The situation underscores the broader challenges faced by sexual minorities across West Africa, where legal and social discrimination remains pervasive. While solidarity efforts from France are underway, advocates stress that more systemic support is needed to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.