Same-gender sexual activities for both men are women are is illegal in Togo, with 1-3 years of imprisonment and a fine up to 1000 USD. Same-gender couples are not legally recognised in Togo and consequently it is not possible for them to adopt children. There is no law protecting LGBTQIA+ people against discrimination and offence and they face harassment and arbitrary detention from the security forces based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression. Transgender persons or non-conforming people are not recognised thus, they cannot change their legal gender or name.
Many people do not even believe that homosexuality exists. There is societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Togo. The society is under the weight of social norms, tradition and religion. Therefore, the society is hostile to same-gender relationships. The legal context reinforces this hostility and LGBTQIA+ persons are exposed to all kinds of violence like threatening to death, family rejection. LGBTQIA+ Togolese people are more vulnerable to rape and extortion by consensual partners. They can be victims of blackmail, and as a result, often feel compelled to keep quiet about crimes committed against them. They become marginalised and stigmatised by family, friends and communities. LGBTQIA+ people must maintain a high level of secrecy. It is difficult to ascertain exactly how large the LGBTQIA+ population is in Togo.
To escape social and legal pressures, some LGBTQIA+ people leave Togo to other neighbour countries such as Benin and Ivory Coast and others flee to Europe.
