Homosexuality

Homosexuality is sexual attraction, romantic love, or emotional affinity felt by a person toward others of the same gender. It is one of three broad categories used in psychology to describe sexual orientation: same-gender attraction, opposite-gender attraction (heterosexual), and attraction to more than one gender (bisexual).

English-language terms for such people include "gay" (typically men), "lesbian" (women), and LGBT, an acronym encompassing several groups. The Somali word "khaniis" carries a pejorative sense within Somali society and is therefore not a direct equivalent of the clinical terminology used in other languages.

Medical and scientific perspectives

Major international bodies in mental health, including the American Psychological Association, have since the late twentieth century removed homosexuality from lists of mental disorders. The World Health Organization has done the same. Current scientific consensus is that sexual orientation is a naturally occurring variation influenced by genetic, prenatal, and environmental factors, and is not a matter of personal choice.

Religion and culture

The major religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism traditionally prohibit same-gender sexual conduct. Islamic jurisprudence regards such conduct as unlawful (haram), citing the Quranic account of the Prophet Lot. Somali society, which is grounded in Islamic tradition, discusses the matter intensely, and individuals identified as such encounter social stigma and security concerns.

International law

Countries worldwide differ markedly in their legal treatment of homosexuality. Many in Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia and Africa do not criminalize same-gender relations and some recognize same-gender marriage. Other countries, including Somalia, maintain criminal penalties. Somali criminal law treats such conduct as a punishable offense carrying imprisonment.