Amidst the existing unacceptance of homosexuality in the region of Senegal, the Senegalese parliament has rejected the current law which was meant to toughen the laws against gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual people.
According to the Senegal law, gay sex already is a punishable offense with a jail term of up to 5 years. The bill proposed in the Senegalese parliament could have increased the jail term to up to 10 years and a threefold surge in the fines. The bill was specifically targeting the LGBTQ community and called out its existing as well as acts as a criminal offense.
The bill was initiated by 11 members of Parliaments who claimed to have been backed by religious groups. With a total Muslim population of 95%, the majority community openly rejects homosexuality and its practice to be against the religious sentiments of people.
However, the bill was rejected on terms by the Office of National Assembly stating that the existing laws are already punishing homosexual people severely and increasing the intensity of punishment is not necessary.