Fear, Stigma and Flight — How One Sierra Leonean’s Sexual Orientation Allegedly Forced Him to Seek Safety Abroad

By Abdul Rahman Suagibu
For many Sierra Leoneans, the debate surrounding homosexuality remains deeply contentious, shaped by long-standing cultural traditions, religious beliefs and legal provisions that continue to influence public attitudes. Yet behind the national debate are personal stories of individuals who claim to have faced rejection, fear and isolation because of their sexual orientation.

An investigation by this reporter into the case of Issa Numu Turay, a Sierra Leonean born on February 14, 1995, reveals a troubling account of alleged discrimination, social hostility and a desperate search for safety beyond Sierra Leone’s borders.
According to interviews and written testimony reviewed during this investigation, Turay began to understand his sexual orientation around 2021. He describes the experience not as a sudden realization but as a gradual process of self-discovery, during which he became increasingly aware of his emotional and romantic attraction to other men.
Documents examined by this reporter indicate that while working as a computer repair technician in Sagarela between 2021 and 2022, Turay developed a close relationship with a foreign national identified as John. What initially appeared to be an ordinary friendship reportedly became the subject of suspicion and scrutiny within the community.
Turay alleges that once rumors about the relationship began circulating, he became the target of hostility from members of the community. He further claims that complaints were made to local authorities and that his personal safety was threatened. According to his account, he lived under constant fear of being identified, harassed or attacked because of his perceived sexual orientation.
The investigation found that Turay’s narrative reflects concerns frequently raised by human rights advocates regarding the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Sierra Leone. While the extent of such experiences varies from case to case, social stigma remains a significant factor in the lives of many individuals accused of engaging in same-sex relationships.
According to Turay, the situation eventually became unbearable. He claims he was forced to restrict his movements, avoid public attention and conceal aspects of his personal life to protect himself from hostility and possible violence.

Records and testimony reviewed by this reporter indicate that assistance was later arranged through contacts abroad, facilitating his departure from Sierra Leone and eventual arrival in the United Kingdom. Turay maintains that the move was motivated by concerns for his safety and a desire to live free from fear and persecution.
Today, he insists that returning to Sierra Leone would expose him to discrimination, social exclusion and potential harm. He says the fear that compelled him to leave remains unchanged.

Sierra Leone does not recognize same-sex marriage, and provisions contained in the Offences
Against the Person Act of 1861 continue to criminalize certain same-sex sexual acts between men of particular significance is Section 61 of the Act, commonly referred to as the “buggery” provision, which prescribes severe penalties for such conduct. Although prosecutions have been relatively uncommon in recent years, the law remains part of the country’s legal framework.

Human rights organizations have argued that the continued existence of such laws contributes to stigma, discrimination and fear among LGBTQ+ persons. Conversely, many Sierra Leoneans maintain that opposition to homosexuality is rooted in religious convictions, cultural norms and traditional values.

Whether viewed through the lens of law, culture, religion or human rights, the case of Issa Numu Turay underscores the complexities surrounding sexual orientation in Sierra Leone. While opinions remain sharply divided, his story raises important questions about individual freedoms, societal acceptance and the balance between cultural values and human rights protections.
For Turay, however, the issue is not merely political or legal—it is personal. His account is one of a man who says he left his homeland because he believed remaining there would place his safety and future at risk.
As debates over LGBTQ+ rights continue across Africa and beyond, stories such as his serve as a reminder of the human experiences that often lie behind the headlines.