Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Central African Republic face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents.

Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in the Central African Republic, but LGBTQ persons still face discrimination among the broader population.

However, according to the U.S. Department of State's 2012 human rights report,[1] The penal code criminalizes "public expression of love" between persons of the same sex is imprisonment for six months to two years or a fine of between 150,000 and 600,000 CFA francs ($300 and $1,200).

When one of the participants is a child, the adult may be sentenced to two to five years' imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 to 800,000 CFA francs ($200 and $1,600); however, there were no reports that police arrested or detained persons [in 2012] under these provisions.There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples.

However, societal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons was entrenched, and many citizens attributed the existence of homosexuality to undue Western influence.