A member of the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Assembly, Constant Mutamba, who leads the Dynamic Progressive Revolutionary Opposition platform, has proposed a bill aimed at criminalizing LGBTQ+ individuals. According to the bill, anyone engaging in homosexual acts, including gestures, could face a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 10 years. This move reflects a concerning trend in the country, where government officials and civil society have increasingly targeted the LGBTQ+ community with anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Last June, the Superior Council for Audiovisual and Communication, the Media Regulatory Authority, advised the media to refrain from airing LGBTQ-specific discussions. Mutamba's bill has faced criticism from activists who argue it deflects attention from critical issues like governance and service delivery. However, there are a considerable number of Congolese citizens who endorse the bill and have commended Mutamba for it. This isn't the first time such legislation is being proposed. Back in 2010, an anti-homosexuality bill was introduced, suggesting sentences of three to five years in prison for individuals involved in consensual same-sex sexual activities. However, the bill failed to pass into law. If the new bill gets passed, it could have severe consequences for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising alarms among human rights advocates both locally and internationally. #Queer Up The World View