Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people in Algeria face legal challenges and discrimination not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association's May 2008 report, both female and male same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Algeria. Homophobic attitudes are normalised within Algerian society, and LGBTQ people are commonly subjected to discrimination and potential arrest.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity Article 338 of Algerian law (English translation) reads:
Article 333 of the Algerian law (English translation) reads:
Vigilante executions, beatings, and torture have also occurred, with police frequently joining in on the attacks, being complicit, or turning a blind eye.
The criminal laws originate from the prevailing mores in Algeria that view homosexuality and cross-dressing as against the Islamic faith.
Living conditions Homosexuality is prohibited by law, and the prevailing social attitude is openly negative, even violent. The law does not recognize or respect the civil rights of LGBTQ persons. Officially, there are no gay-friendly establishments and no political organization is allowed to campaign for LGBTQ rights. Examples of hate crimes against homosexuals include the stoning of two men in the street in 2001 and the killing of two men, one in 1994 and the other in 1996.
Most attempts of having unofficial same-sex marriages are blocked by police, as was the case in a 2005 attempt.
Assil Belatla was a student who was murdered in 2019 because he was suspected of being gay. The student was murdered in his dormitory in the university district and the words "he is gay" were painted on the wall with his blood. The killer thought he would avoid prosecution for the killing.
Houari Manar, a popular raï singer widely thought to be gay, died in 2019. Following his death, several homophobic comments were made on social media.
According to a survey done for BBC News Arabic by the Arab Barometer research network in 2018–19, about 26% of Algerians think that homosexuality should be accepted.
Summary table Same-sex sexual activity Same-sex sexual activity legal Penalty of up to three years imprisonment with fines up to 10,000 dinars Equal age of consent Not applicable, as all same-sex activity is illegal in AlgeriaAnti-discrimination laws Anti-discrimination laws in employment only Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) Anti-discrimination laws in gender identity Legislative rights Same-sex marriages The Algerian family code specifically limits marriage to heterosexual couples Same-sex civil unions Recognition of same-sex couples Adoption and children Step-child adoption by same-sex couples Joint adoption by same-sex couples Automatic parenthood on birth certificates for children of same-sex couples Access to IVF for lesbians Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples Illegal for all couples regardless of sexual orientation Commercial surrogacy for lesbian female couples Illegal for all couples regardless of sexual orientationMilitary service Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military Algeria does not permit homosexual soldiers, with it being reportedly enforcedTransgender rights Right to change legal gender No legal option to change genderOtherConversion therapy ban No laws banning conversion therapy in Algeria, with the practice reportedly being quite widespread MSMs allowed to donate blood No evidence of a legislative ban on MSM donating blood in Algeria
See also
Human rights in Algeria Politics of Algeria LGBTQ rights in Africa
Notes