Compiled by Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com February 2012 Introduction Sex between men occurs in most societies though its extent certainly varies from place to place, for cultural or other reasons. Its existence, however, is frequently denied by the authorities in many places because of religious teachings or cultural taboos, or because as individuals they feel uncomfortable
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African continental mainland. Flowing through the centre of the country and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean is the Gambia River. On 18 February 1965, The Gambia was granted independence from the United Kingdom. The Gambia has a liberal, market-based economy characterized by traditional subsistence agriculture, a historic reliance on groundnuts (peanuts) for export earnings, a re-export trade built up around its ocean port, low import duties, minimal administrative procedures, a fluctuating exchange rate with no exchange controls, and a significant tourism industry. According to the criminal code from 1965 homosexuality is an “unnatural offense” and is illegal. A prison sentence for perpetrators can be for up to 7 years. Gambia’s military ruler said in May 2008 that stricter laws against homosexuals would soon be introduced.
Name: Gambia
Population: 1595000
Capital: Banjul - Pop. 372000
Area: 11295 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: English, Mandinka, Wolof, Fula
Religion: Muslim, Christian
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal
Telephone Country Code: 220