In the last two decades, the acceptance of LGBTQIA*(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Inter*, Asexual) persons and their legal equality has increased greatly worldwide. Nevertheless, same-sex sexual acts are still criminalised in many states – among them are 32 member states of the African Union (AU). In this paper, I would like to address the question of what opportunities exist for strengthening LGBTQIA* rights within the AU through the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It becomes clear that strengthening LGBTQIA* rights through these institutions can be successful if the diverse nation-state contexts and colonial continuities in the implementation of legal equality are always reflected.

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