26/07/2026
On May 29, 2026, Ghana's Parliament passed the most recent version of an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that was first introduced in 2021. Titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, the legislation would criminalize LGBTQ+ people, advocacy, allyship, organizations, healthcare, among other rights violations if made into law. While it awaits President John Mahama's signature, activists, allies, and community members and organizations continue to sound alarm on the harms this legislation will cause sexual and gender minorities in Ghana
In light of the escalating rights attacks against LGBTQ+ Africans, our research lab launched M'ahosan (My Wellbeing), a research study examining how intersectional social stressors like Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and sexuality- and gender-based stigma and violence affect the safety, mental wellbeing, and health outcomes of sexual and gender minorities living with HIV in Ghana. We surveyed 256 sexual and gender minorities in the Greater Accra Region from April 2025 to January 2026, using the LGBTQ+ Criminalization Social Stressor Index (LCSS) to measure experiences of discrimination, violence, stigma, and other social stressors related to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
What the study found is alarming: 35% feel hopeless, 32% have been physically assaulted (e.g. beaten, slapped, spat on, grabbed, or kicked), 28% have experienced unwanted sexual touching or sexual violence, 24% are afraid their doctor or nurse will report them to the police; 20% have harmed themselves or attempted to end their life, and 18% wish they were not alive. This harm is already happening, well before the bill becomes law, providing more evidence on why this legislation must not be signed as demanded by a chorus of concerned voices locally and internationally.
Thank you for reading and sharing. Our sincere thanks to our study participants, community advisory board, study team, and health providers and case managers for their contributions to the study. Our gratitude to graphic designer, Chloe Nguyen, for creating these great graphics. M’ahosan study is supported by funding from the NIH (K01MH130270).
