Same-sex relationships are illegal in 35 of Africa's 54 countries -- but that's not the case in South Africa. It has some of the most world's most liberal laws on sexual preference. At least that's the perception; the reality, however, is quite different.br In South Africa's larger cities, there's little open prejudice against gays and lesbians -- but that's not the case in other parts of the country. The situation is particularly difficult for gay- and lesbian refugees who are the target of both homophobic and xenophobic discrimination.