In a discreet three-story house with no sign or plaque on the door, people from Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and other parts of Côte d'Ivoire find refuge. Many have faced violence, police persecution, family rejection, or even threats of death because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This space is not just a temporary shelter but a place where they can be themselves. In a time when several African countries have increased prison sentences for homosexuality, the existence of such a refuge in Africa appears remarkable. The house is managed by the NGO Arc-en-ciel, which operates with limited resources due to a decline in international aid. Anyone who arrives and identifies as LGBTQ+ is offered shelter, food, medical care, and psychological support. In Côte d'Ivoire, same-sex relationships are not illegal, but the law does not protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In recent years, the social, political, and religious climate has become increasingly hostile toward sexual and gender minorities. However, the situation in Côte d'Ivoire is less severe than in other parts of West Africa. In just a few months, anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced in Niger and Burkina Faso. In East Africa, homophobia is deeply entrenched in state institutions, with Uganda being a notable example where being queer can lead to institutionalized criminalization. The legacy of colonial rule has contributed to the persistence of homophobia across much of the continent. Founded in 1976, six months after the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, El País is the most widely read general newspaper in Spain. As a center-left publication, it is part of the Spanish media group Prisa. Joseph Oughourlian, a French businessman, has presided over Prisa since February 2021 and has been the head of El País since March 2025. In late 2013, the website elpais.com launched two new editions aimed at Latin American readers, each with its own editorial team. The first, El País Brasil, was created in Portuguese for Brazilian readers and had its own website, but it closed in 2021 due to financial difficulties. The second, El País América, continues to provide content tailored to readers in the Americas. Since 2020, El País México has also operated independently with its own website and editorial team.