Liberia is once again at a crossroads on the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, as Lofa County District #3 Representative, Hon. Momo Siafa Kpoto, has introduced a bill to criminalize same-sex practices in the country. The proposed law, titled An Act to Amend the New Penal Code Chapter 14, Sub-Chapter D and Add a New Section 14.80, seeks to revise Liberia’s existing laws to explicitly criminalize same-sex activities.
The bill has now been sent to the House’s Judiciary and Internal Affairs Committees for further review. A report is expected in two weeks, after which lawmakers will debate the issue in plenary. Given the deeply sensitive nature of the topic, it has already begun to stir discussions across the country.
This is not the first time Liberia has faced such a debate. In 2012, during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, similar legislative proposals were introduced, drawing both local and international reactions. The issue has long been a point of contention, reflecting the broader global divide between cultural traditions and evolving human rights perspectives.
Supporters of Hon. Kpoto’s bill argue that it aligns with Liberia’s traditional and religious values. On the other hand, critics warn that such a law could raise concerns about human rights, individual freedoms, and the country’s international reputation.
With the bill now on the table, attention turns to the Legislature. Will lawmakers move forward with criminalization, or will the debate take a different direction? As the discussions unfold, the nation watches.
