January 8, 2009
9 men convicted of homosexual acts in Senegal
David Foucher READ TIME: 1 MIN.
DAKAR, Senegal - A gay rights group says nine men in Senegal have been convicted of homosexual acts and sentenced to lengthy jail sentences.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission says the men were arrested last month and ordered Wednesday to serve eight years in prison for "engaging in acts against the order of nature." It says the defense was given little time to prepare its case.
Among those sentenced was Diadji Diouf, who heads an organization that provides HIV prevention services to gay men in Senegal.
Homosexuality is illegal in many African countries. South Africa prompted continentwide controversy in 2006 when it became the first African country to legalize gay marriage.
David Foucher is the CEO of the EDGE Media Network and Pride Labs LLC, is a member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association, and is accredited with the Online Society of Film Critics. David lives with his daughter in Dedham MA.
