Rising hate leaves 'no place for gays' in Senegal

Every time Abdou's mother hears of a homophobic attack in the streets of Senegal's capital Dakar, she locks him in her bedroom.

Abdou -- who, like other LGBTQ people AFP interviewed, asked not to be identified by his real name -- is used to hiding. He has been concealing his sexuality most of his life.

But lately the 20-year-old has felt even more in danger.

"The situation is becoming more and more serious," said the soft-spoken unemployed tailor.

"Before they would say you were gay, but they didn't hit you. Today you are beaten and it's posted on social media."

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