Gay Elfenbeinküste

No — same-sex marriage is not currently recognised in Elfenbeinküste. Côte d'Ivoire has never criminalised private same-sex relations between adults, but Article 360 of the Penal Code punishes a public act of indecency 'contrary to nature' with six months to two years in prison, and the age of consent is 18 for same-sex partners against 15 for others. There is no marriage, partnership or adoption for same-sex couples, no anti-discrimination protection and no legal gender change. Abidjan has long had the most visible gay scene in francophone West Africa, with the woubi (feminine gay men) subculture and bars that security forces have raided periodically. The climate worsened in 2024: the group Gromo counted 45 assaults in Abidjan in two months, influencers called for violence against gay men online, and President Ouattara promised a bill to 'counter the expansion' of homosexuality, which had not passed as of November 2026; the National Human Rights Council publicly called for the hatred to stop. Trans women and feminine men face the most danger. Foreign visitors are not targeted, and Abidjan's Zone 4 and Marcory bars are still welcoming, but public affection is unwise and local partners carry real risk.

The cities listed on this page have the most active LGBTQ+ scenes in Elfenbeinküste — typically the capital and the largest tourist cities. Each city page lists verified LGBTQ+ venues.

Many hotels in tourist areas of Elfenbeinküste welcome LGBTQ+ guests without explicit marketing. International chains in central districts are the safest choice; smaller boutique hotels vary. See each city page for verified LGBTQ+-friendly options.