The Large Number of Lesbians Living in Sierra Leone

A new report from the Coalition for Equality, a network of nine civil society organizations, estimates that over 5,000 lesbians are actively organized in Freetown, part of a quiet but significant expansion of the country’s LGBTQ community.
This figure marks a dramatic increase in visibility for a community that has long operated in the shadows due to severe legal and social stigma.
Speaking to Truth Media, Ibrahim, a Coalition for Equality member said these 5,000 individuals are actively participating in 25 organized groups within the capital city. The Coalition projects that the total LGBTQ population in Freetown, which includes gay men and men who have sex with men, is conservatively estimated at more than 11,000. The true number could be as high as 22,000, as many individuals remain hidden due to fear of reprisal.