This was the second-highest rate of non-acceptance in the 45 countries surveyed. According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 97 percent of Ethiopians believe homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept. Discrimination and stigma are therefore commonplace and some Ethiopian LGBT people suppress their identity or flee as asylum seekers. Homosexual men are widely blamed for claimed HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia. However the majority of Ethiopians remain hostile towards LGBT and believe it to be a ' Western perversion of their societal values'. In addition to that, there is no clear evidence of same-sex activity in the past until 2008, ensued by rapidly but rare appearance of LGBT scenes through urban areas of Addis Ababa. Įthiopia has a long history of social conservatism and same-sex activity is considered a minor phenomenon.
Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the country, with reports of high levels of discrimination and abuses against LGBT people. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ethiopia face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.
