Trump Admin Reverses US Opposition to Africa’s LGBT Restrictions

The Trump administration appears to be abandoning Biden’s opposition to African anti-gay laws.

The administration has so far remained silent on harsh anti-gay legislation passed by the Ghana Parliament in May, and it seems to be in line with President Trump’s broader strategy to prioritize strategic national interest over social issues in foreign policy decisions.

The Ghana bill carries a three-year maximum sentence for identifying as LGBTQ. It still requires the signature of Ghana President John Mahama — but he has suggested support for it.

Shortly after the law passed its parliament, Ghana hosted a major conference in Accra earlier this month, where lawmakers from more than a dozen African countries pledged to reject international agreements favoring gender ideology and abortion.

In 2023, the Biden administration levied a strong diplomatic response to anti-gay legislation in Uganda. The country’s goods were cut off from U.S. markets and visa restrictions were imposed on top officials.

The Ugandan law is much harsher than Ghana’s, carrying sentences as high as life in prison for consensual homosexual acts, and 20 years in prison for providing housing, medical care, or financial support to LGBTQ individuals.

Laws criminalizing homosexuality are widespread across the continent, with all forms of homosexuality illegal in more than half its countries. 

Trump’s foreign policy places strong value on maintaining diplomatic relations in the region where the U.S. is constantly competing for influence with China and Russia. Ghana is considered a relatively stable partner in West Africa, where Islamic terrorism has become increasingly prevalent.

African legislators have become more emboldened to push back against Western pressure on cultural issues. “The idea of man marrying man and woman marrying woman is an abomination to our tradition and culture as Ghanaians,” said a statement quoted in the Ghana bill.  

The State Department has not yet shared whether it will take a position on Ghana’s bill. “We refer you to the governments of Ghana and Uganda regarding legislation in their countries,” a spokesman said, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Unlike the Biden era, the current administration seems to be treating the issue as one for foreign governments to decide internally, while focusing U.S. diplomacy on issues that directly concern American citizens. 

The silence has angered some human rights groups, who warn that it could signal approval to other governments to pass the same kinds of restrictions.