Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Liberia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Liberia.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Subchapter D of Chapter 14 of the Penal Law of Liberia criminalizes voluntary sodomy, as follows: Chapter 50 of the Penal Code of Liberia specifies the penalties for violating the preceding laws:
Legislation considered in 2012
In response to an effort to petition the Liberian legislature to protect the rights of LGBT residents, the speaker of the house of representatives, Alex Tyler, told journalists in January 2012 that his colleagues have already denounced the effort. "I am a Methodist and traditionalist. I will never support a gay bill because it is damaging to the survival of the country." He also warned that any LGBT rights bill introduced in the house "will be thrown in the 'Du or Montserrado River". In February 2012, Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, the former wife of former president Charles Taylor, introduced legislation that would make same-sex sexual relations a first degree felony with a maximum punishment of death. A similar bill was introduced in the house of representatives by Clarence K. Massaquoi in early February 2012 except that the offense would be a second degree felony. In a letter to The Guardian newspaper that was printed 23 March 2012, the Liberian presidential press secretary, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, said,
Your article... failed to portray the position of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on purported legislation on homosexuality. There is no law referencing homosexuality in Liberia, so she could not be defending a law on homosexuality. She is on record as saying... that any law brought before her regarding homosexuality will be vetoed. This also applies to an attempt by two members of the Liberian legislature to introduce tougher laws targeting homosexuality. It is therefore very disappointing to see you report that President Sirleaf is defending laws criminalising homosexuality. She and her government believe the current law on sexual practices sufficiently addresses the concerns of the majority of Liberians and guarantees respect for traditional values. The reality is that the status quo in Liberia has been one of tolerance, and no one has ever been prosecuted under that law. The president also thinks that with the unprecedented freedom of speech and expression Liberia enjoys today, our budding democracy will be strong enough to accommodate new ideas and debate both their value and Liberia's laws with openness, respect and independence.
On 20 July 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize same-sex marriages. Later in July, an online petition was launched by the Mr. Gay World Organization to revoke Sirleaf's Nobel Peace Prize if she signs this legislation. the legislation never became a law since it was not voted by the House of Representatives.
Living conditions
The U.S. Department of State's 2012 human rights report found,
The... culture is strongly opposed to homosexuality.... LGBT persons were cautious about revealing their sexual identities, and groups that supported the rights of LGBT persons did so quietly due to fear of retaliation.... There were press and civil society reports of harassment of persons perceived to be LGBT, but none were officially documented. Societal stigma and fear of official reprisal may have prevented victims from reporting violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In October a law enforcement officer refused to investigate allegations of the beating of a gay man. The police subsequently arrested one gay man. Activists alleged that the ... or other law enforcement agencies targeted or harassed those they believe to be LGBT. There were a few civil society groups promoting the rights of LGBT individuals, but they maintained a very low profile due to fear of persecution.
In 2012, the Movement for the Defense of Gays and Lesbians in Liberia was established, with Archie Ponpon as its head. The Liberian government, however, has rejected the movement's request for registration, and Ponpon has faced a violent reaction to his efforts. His mother's house has been burned to the ground. After speaking in favor of LGBT rights on public radio in Monrovia in early March 2012, a violent mob confronted him as he left the radio station. The police intervened to protect Ponpon from harm.
