The number of homosexuals in Nigeria
seems to be on the rise, which explains
why the National Assembly recently
passed a bill prohibiting the act and
sentencing defaulters to a 14-year jail
term.

Little wonder some Nigerians took to the
streets protesting what they termed
“Anti-gay practice” and infringement of
their fundamental human rights. Amongst
them was 22-year old Ahmed, who
dubbed members of the Senate “species
who spend their precious time on
irrelevant issues” in his tweet.
Ahmed says he had his first homosexual
experience when he was 15 years old: “I
discovered that I am more attracted to
the same sex individual than the female
folk. So, any government that would not
allow me to exercise my fundamental
rights is not a responsible government.”
At present, some homosexuals converge
on a secret gay club in Lagos. A recent
investigation by a BBC reporter revealed
that some of the men always dress like
females. They wear wigs and take a quick
glance at their pocket mirrors, before
adjusting their tight-fitting red dresses.
In 2006, one Reverend Rowland Macaulay
set up House of Rainbow, a homosexual
church, at No 36/38 Yakoyo street, Ojodu
Berger, Lagos.His members were only
men who worshiped as brethren and
lovers.

It would be recalled that in 2008,
Saturday Vanguard reported that he was
initiating new members into the gay club
and at same time running the church
secretly in Nigeria. He was also reported
to have appeared sometime ago on Cable
News Network, CNN, where he proudly
talked about his gay church.

The initial reaction which greeted his
exposure created doubts in the minds of
Nigerians over the existence of such a
church on their shores. But an uproar in
the Anglican communion in Europe on gay bishops once again brought the case of Reverend Rowland to the fore.
However, when the Saturday Vanguard
visited his residence at plot 145, flat 1,
Jakande estate, Isolo, Lagos, his
apartment was under lock and key.
It was learnt that the gay pastor vacated
his home when he read the story of his
clandestine activities in a national
newspaper. He is currently running his
church in London and some other African
countries including Kenya, South African,
Uganda, among others.

Kunle (not real name), a gay man living in
Lagos, is outraged by the proposed law:
“How does a government think that
sending someone to prison would change
his or her sexual orientation?
One of Nigeria’s few openly gay human
rights activists, Rashidi Williams, notes
that the bill seeks to ban something
which is already illegal and which no one
is publicly advocating. For him, repealing
the repressive laws in this country will go
a long way.”

Meanwhile, the recent Anti-Gay law
might constrain some gay Nigerians to
seek asylum in countries where the
practice is accepted, while others will
have to go underground. At the gay club,
for instance, no one is allowed to take
any photos despite the free atmosphere.
The fear of being identified as gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgender in a
country where the public still turns to
mob justice haunts some here. And that is a huge concern for Richard (not his real
name): “If you don’t become discreet and
try to hide yourself, even the man on the
street will want to also act on the bill
because it has been passed.
“If you’re walking on the street and he
stones you, he knows the law would
stand for him because the law is against
you.”

Recent investigations revealed that
Nigerian LGBT’s in Diaspora held a rally
outside Nigerian in London, UK
to mark the International Day Against
Homophobia and Transphobia. The rally
was on the theme: “We Are Family-
Freedom to Love for all Nigerians”.
Speakers shared personal stories and
experiences of Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and a letter was delivered to
officials of the Nigerian High Commission.

A former student activist of the OAU, Ile-
Ife, Yemisi Ilesanmi, led the protest. She
said a position paper on the Anti-Same
Sex Marriage bill currently pending before the Nigerian legislature had already been sent to the Nigerian Legislative organ and
the Executive.
However, those who spoke against the
practice are of the opinion that the
homosexuality is not part of Nigerian
culture and that it is a sin against
God.

A lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, explained
that, “Every law must reflect the cultural
dimensions of the society that constitutes
the primary constituency of the said law.
There is no culture or tribe in Nigeria
presently, that endorses same sex
marriage. It still remains a cultural taboo
in all climes in this country.
“Similarly, virtually all religions in Nigeria
prohibit same sex marriage. So in
promulgating the anti gay law, the
National Assembly is only reflecting the
cultural pattern of Nigeria and indeed our
spiritual inclinations. It is thus a welcome
idea, to prohibit same sex marriage, in
Nigeria.

“Furthermore, in Nigeria presently, both
the criminal law and indeed the Marriage
Act, prohibit same sex marriage. Thus,
the law being promulgated by the
National Assembly is not the first
legislation on same sex prohibition. It has
been part of our existence as a nation, to
abhor un-natural affections between man
and man and woman and woman.
“But those who are protesting are equally
exercising their rights to freedom of
expression under section 39 of the 1999
Constitution. However, since both
chambers of the National Assembly have
now passed the Bill, the option open to
the protesters is to take their grievance
to court, as expected in any democratic
environment, governed by the rule of
law. I therefore urge the President to
assent to the Bill, without further delay,
as it is a reflection of the wish of the
people of Nigeria.”

But Dr Abiola Akiyode opposed that the
bill. She said, “I believe the entire law on
same sex violates the rights of the
individual to decide freely on his or her
private life, and also the right to make a
choice about one’s life and what you want
to do with it to be fulfilled as a human
being.

“The government is a busy body in this
instance; after all, they left more
important issues worthy of legislation like
violence against women legislation and
other critical matters affecting Nigeria.
Rather, they are poke-nosing in people’s
private matters. A review of the law
shows that it is largely defective and
poses dangers to all whether you are
straight or not.”

For Joei Odumakin, “Application of the Bill
as passed by the National Assembly is
that its contents are at variance which
certain laws that are already enshrined in
the constitution of Nigeria. This is a key
issue that is expected to be considered in
order to avoid a situation whereby our
laws may be running on parallel lines
under a single system.

“They are such clauses in the Bill which
are likely to become instruments in the
hands of the state to victimize certain
individuals or groups in the long run if
critically analyzed.


www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/nigerian-law-is-against-our-fundamental-righ

www.leaknigerianews.com/2013/06/nigerian-law-is-against-our-fundamental.html

What would a man and man, woman and woman be enjoying? That's my greatest concern. 14years to small self, 21 years could av been better. Idiots called gay and Lesb!

Let them all travel to U.S or Canada, no way in Nigeria.

I feel irritated when I see man-man or woman-woman engage in love-activities meant exclusively for man-woman.I think this is totally wrong from my own perspective but to some people what I feel is wrong might be correct and vice-versa.The law has come to stay and I think the jail-years should be increased so that it will totally discourage people from going into such an act.For people involved already,I think they should lay a low profile or betterstil leave the country.A word they say is enough for the wise.

fredopayee: What would a man and man, woman and woman be enjoying? That's my greatest concern. 14years to small self, 21 years could av been better. Idiots called gay and Lesb!

it shouldn't be your concern bro. What two consenting adult decide to do with their lives shouldn't affect anybody. You should jus focus on bettering your own life and soul. Live gays alone with their lifestyle. Let GOD be the judge.

imagine me trip for OBJ, OSHIOMOLE.... MY PARENTS WOULDN'T FORGIVE ME..... WASTED GENERATION

If your parents were gay/lesbian would u have be in existence? Soddom like you!!

Akshow: it shouldn't be your concern bro. What two consenting adult decide to do with their lives shouldn't affect anybody. You should jus focus on bettering your own life and soul. Live gays alone with their lifestyle. Let GOD be the judge.