OUT in Ethiopia
Sexual and gender minorities in Ethiopia face legal, cultural and social challenges not experienced by other groups in the country. Our report, ‘Out in Ethiopia’ (December 2024) documents the lived experiences of sexual and gender minorities in Ethiopia, in partnership with Ethiopian LGBTQI+ organisation The House of Guramayle, who co-devised and distributed a survey to LGBTQ+ Ethiopians.
The study took place over a two-year period and was constructed with the purpose of examining the human rights and development needs of all LGBTQ+ Ethiopians.
“Whenever the country struggles, religious leaders blame queer people for our ‘sin’ [because they think it] is what brings the problems." (Respondent from OUT in Ethiopia study)
Our report sheds light on the harsh realities faced by LGBTQI+ people in Ethiopia, with findings underscoring the systemic and widespread human rights violations against these communities. Participants in the study reported systemic discrimination and violence in every facet of life, including employment, education and healthcare. This stigmatisation has many strands and arises from within the family unit, from organised religion and from government institutions.
The report also touches on how climate change and conflict, such as the Tigray War, aggravate the vulnerabilities of LGBTQI+ Ethiopians. Limited access to clean water and safety nets in rural areas, combined with scapegoating during national crises, further marginalise these communities
The testimonies collected paint a vivid picture of resilience amidst adversity. From enduring police brutality to surviving family rejection, LGBTQI+ Ethiopians navigate a deeply hostile environment. Yet, their stories also underscore a desire for visibility, dignity, and change. 'Out in Ethiopia' calls for urgent action to address the systemic injustices faced by LGBTQI+ Ethiopians. Through collective advocacy and support, there is hope to dismantle the structures that perpetuate their exclusion and oppression.
The key findings of our ‘OUT in Ethiopia’ research, found that
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The majority of LGBTQI+ Ethiopians remain in the closet: 41% of respondents did not share their sexual or gender identities with their families and 15.2% of respondents hadn’t shared their LGBTQI+ identity with anyone.
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Almost all participants (94%) did not believe Ethiopia was safe for LGBTQI+ people: 62.1% of participants were threatened or attacked with physical violence at least once in the past 12 months.
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LGBTQI+ Ethiopians remain distrustful of government institutions, actors, and the legal system: A significant minority of respondents reported discrimination by social service workers (25.8%), government departments (22.7%), and other government agents (28.8%).
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Religious leaders and institutions encourage exclusion and the use of violence against LGBTQI+ Ethiopians: 65.2% of respondents did not share their sexual or gender identities with their religious communities, even though 74% identified as religious. Over a quarter had been subject to so-called conversion therapy, including ‘corrective’ rape.
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LGBTQI+ Ethiopians face discrimination in education and are more likely to experience unemployment than the general population: Two-third of participants earned less than the Ethiopian average salary in 2022 despite relatively higher levels of education.
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LGBTQI+ Ethiopians healthcare and basic needs are not being met: 60.7% of participants experienced some form of food insecurity and 40.9% of respondents experienced barriers when accessing healthcare.