Members of the Gabonese lower house vote to decriminalize homosexuality. If the proposal is approved by the upper house and the president, Gabon could become one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish a law that punishes same-sex relationships.

Last year, this central African country criminalized homosexuality and made sex between homosexuals punishable by six months in prison and a heavy fine. Activists say it had pushed the harassed LGBT community into hiding.

Forty-eight members of parliament now support the proposal to amend the 2019 law and lift the ban; half of them opposed the amendment. Gay marriage is still not allowed in Gabon, where homosexuality is still widely regarded as a taboo.

A lawmaker in favor of keeping the ban says lawmakers who voted to legalize homosexuality have shaken the customs and traditions of the nation. Read more via BBC