The Suffering of Gay Men in Mauritania

In Mauritania, gay men face severe discrimination and persecution in a society that strictly upholds religious values and conservative social traditions. Homosexuality is viewed as one of the gravest taboos, and gay people are treated as a threat to the community and its moral values, exposing them to high levels of discrimination and violence. These individuals live under the constant fear of persecution, where merely discussing homosexuality is not just breaking a social taboo but also taking a risk that could lead to death.

Legal Persecution: A Sword Hanging Over Them

Mauritanian law treats homosexuality as a crime deserving the utmost punishment. Article 308 of the Penal Code imposes the death penalty on gay men, forcing them to live in constant fear of being discovered. Although this punishment is rarely carried out officially, its mere existence instills terror in the hearts of gay men and forces them to live in hiding. Public acknowledgment of their homosexuality could be tantamount to a death sentence, both socially and possibly physically.

Society: A Prison Without Walls

The persecution of gay men in Mauritania is not limited to the law alone. Mauritanian society, driven by religious zeal and tribal values, sees gay people as an abomination that must be eradicated. These individuals live in constant fear of having their identity exposed, as it would mean complete ostracism from family and society, turning them into targets for violence and psychological and physical torture. Escape is not an option for many; the harshness of society extends to chasing them even in places they might consider safe. They may find themselves trapped between the betrayal of friends, the pressures of family, and the scrutiny of neighbors, turning their lives into a perpetual hell.

Psychological Isolation: An Inner Hell

In this constant fear, isolation exacerbates the psychological suffering of gay men. Many live under the weight of depression and anxiety, with a constant feeling of shame and disgrace. The ongoing suppression of their sexual identity drives some to suicide as a means of escaping a life they see as devoid of hope. The pain they endure goes beyond psychological to the physical, as some suffer from physical illnesses due to the constant stress and tension. They find no place of rest or peace, as even the most basic human right to live with dignity is stripped from them.

Forced Marriage: Social Cover and Enduring Suffering

In Mauritania, many gay men are forced into marriages with women to hide their sexual identity, in an attempt to fit into a society that vehemently rejects homosexuality. Marriage to a woman is seen as a cover, compelled by enormous social and familial pressures. This marriage is often in name only, as these men lead a double life filled with suffering and deception.

A gay man is compelled to endure a marital relationship that is unnatural for him, deepening his psychological suffering. A marriage that is supposed to be a source of stability and comfort turns into another prison where he must deny his true identity daily. This ongoing deception not only affects the gay man but also leaves a profound impact on the wife, who is often unaware of his sexual orientation, leading to a life filled with deceit and dissatisfaction for both parties.

Forced marriage to a woman is another means of escaping social suspicion, but at the same time, it increases the psychological and physical pressures on the gay man. These men live in constant fear of being exposed, which could lead to the complete destruction of their social and personal lives. For them, marriage is not just a social bond; it is a means of survival in an unforgiving society.

Work: Another Struggle in a Patriarchal and Religious Society

In a patriarchal and religious Mauritanian society, the revelation of a gay man's identity in the workplace is a disaster that could destroy his entire career. If coworkers or employers discover his sexual orientation, he faces the risk of immediate dismissal and social ostracism. Gay men in this context are not only seen as unwanted individuals but as a threat that must be eliminated.

The psychological pressures resulting from the fear of identity exposure add an extra burden on these men in their professional lives. They always feel the need to pretend and alter their behavior to avoid any suspicions. This constant anxiety can deteriorate their work performance and make them susceptible to depression and mental disorders.

Furthermore, even if a gay man manages to keep his job, he lives in constant fear of rumors or insinuations that could lead to his outing, driving him to isolate himself and continuously avoid interacting with others. This makes it difficult for them to achieve any form of stability or progress in their professional lives, turning the workplace into another arena of daily suffering.

Education: A Harsh Environment for Gay Youth

In Mauritanian high schools and universities, gay youth live under immense pressure to keep their identity a secret. If their sexual orientation is discovered, they face the risk of social expulsion and harsh discrimination from both peers and teachers. In an educational environment dominated by religious and tribal values, homosexuality is seen as a deviation that must be combated, making the academic life of these youth a continuous hell.

Gay youth at this stage face significant challenges in integrating with their peers, as they become targets of bullying and verbal and physical violence. This violence is not limited to their peers but can extend to teachers and administrators who may treat them with bias or punish them indirectly.

The fear of being discovered makes it difficult for these youth to focus on their studies and achieve academic excellence. They always feel the need to isolate themselves and avoid social activities, increasing their sense of loneliness and isolation. This constant pressure can lead to psychological disorders that significantly impact their academic performance and personal development.

In an educational society that rejects differences, gay youth find themselves trapped between the desire to learn and achieve their dreams and their constant fear of being exposed, hindering their development and making their educational journey fraught with risks.

Deafening Silence: The Absence of Hope

In a society that does not acknowledge their existence, gay men in Mauritania drown in a deafening silence. There are no institutions or organizations that offer them support or defend their rights, and their voices remain silenced in the depths of fear and despair. Even the local media avoids discussing their issues, deepening their sense of isolation and exacerbating their suffering.

Gay men in Mauritania are victims of a society that refuses to acknowledge them and insists on erasing them. They live under the shadow of death and silence, trapped between a harsh law and a merciless society. Their suffering reflects the deepest forms of injustice and cruelty, making their lives a continuous journey of pain with no clear horizon of hope.