Words From a Wicked Woman

The Nigerian National Assembly has recessed without voting on the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2006, the proposed legislation that would prohibit not only same-sex marriage but advocacy on behalf of LGBT Nigerians; meetings or gatherings of any sort between LGBT; displays of affection between LGBT in public OR private, and; registration or promotion of any clubs or groups by or for LGBT Nigerians, among other things. Violations of any provision of the Act is punishable by five years in prison. Homosexuality is already illegal in Nigeria. In the Muslim north, it is punishable under Sharia law by stoning to death.

Although the bill was debated by the House of Representatives on March 22, the House Human Rights Committee is of the opinion that the bill violates the human rights of LGBT and is reportedly attempting to block the its progress, even suggesting that they may issue a minority report of their findings. Nevertheless, lobbying in favor of the bill is still taking place. Chief among the bill’s supporters is Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, Primate of All Nigeria, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion),(CON), who issued a statement in support of the legislation shortly after it was introduced last year.

“The Church commends the law-makers for their prompt reaction to outlaw same-sex relationships in Nigeria and calls for the bill to be passed since the idea expressed in the bill is the moral position of Nigerians regarding human sexuality,” reads Message to the Nation/Communiqué, (also called the Ibadan Communiqué), a statement issued after a February 2006 meeting of the CON’s Standing Committee in Ibadan.

Akinola is said to be specifically lobbying Christian legislators.

“Changing Attitude Nigeria stands as a reminder to the world-wide Anglican Communion that the Church of Nigeria is promoting and supporting a bill which will erode the most basic human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people,” declared director of Changing Attitude Nigeria, Davis Mac-Iyalla in a March 23 press release. Changing Attitude Nigeria is an advocacy group for LGBT Anglicans in that country.

The situation for LGBT Nigerians is horrific. “Two months ago I was arrested and detained by the police in Lagos,” said Chuma, a gay Nigerian man, in Voices From Nigeria: Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders Speak Out About the Same-Sex Bill, a pamphlet published by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) last November. “This happened when I was carrying out research for the study on the prevalence and risk factors of HIV/AIDS, STI infections and social risk behavior among men that have sex with men in Nigeria. A team of policemen in Lagos came to my apartment and took me away to an unknown place for 2 days. I was beaten beyond recognition, and I am still receiving treatment for the head injury I received. I was dehumanized and paraded naked to the press. My money, ID card and shoes were taken. Eventually I was released without being charged or tried. My only offense was that I am gay.”

Chuma is concerned that the bill will force gays underground, keeping them from HIV/AIDS programs due to the ban on LGBT organizations. Aishat, a 21-year-old gay man who is HIV-positive, shares that concern.

“These issues in society force gay life underground and contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. I have to sneak around to have sex with other gay men. It is like hide and seek. We need to be quick and there is no time to make adequate provision about when and how to have sex. . . . The Bill will force people to have sex in secret rather than stopping gays having sex. Condoms will be used less and less often because there will be no time to develop relationships because of fear of being caught,” he says.

Patricia is a closeted lesbian in love with another woman. She is very anxious about what will happen if the legislation’s supporters prevail. “If the Bill is passed it will be terrible. . . . I am with somebody I love. I don’t think anyone can force me to stop living the life I want to live. When you love someone and you can’t have access to that person, life is not worth living. I am too afraid to think about what I will have to do if the Bill is passed.”

And then there’s Mohammed, a 26-year-old male transvestite who has been beaten on many occasions for being gay and transgender. “I wanted to go out for a party and I thought it would be better if I dressed up at home so that I would not be seen changing so as to protect myself. My stepfather and brothers came in because they saw lipstick on the shower top. I was tied down and beaten all night long. Another time my stepfather poured hot cooking oil on my foot as a punishment for being gay,” recounted Mohammed.

“I have been hurt badly. I have been beaten with an iron and sticks. I am too scared to go to hospital because of the way I look. I self-medicate and many of my injuries have not healed because I have not received proper treatment for them,” he said.

Voices From Nigeria contains accounts of incidents that happened prior to the introduction of the anti-gay legislation. More recent reports are even worse. As I’ve previously written, Mac-Iyalla, the Anglican LGBT activist, has been forced to leave Nigeria due to threats on his life. There are others who have experienced increased violence as well and Mac-Iyalla is doing what he can to provide assistance. In addition, I have learned that at least one of the world’s more prominent religious bodies is doing what it can to help. Details are necessarily vague, but I believe they, too, are trying to re-locate those LGBT who are in the most danger.

What is needed is world condemnation by people, governments and organizations according to Mac-Iyalla. “World opinion needs to urgently condemn further progress on this Bill in the Nigerian House of Representatives. It will make criminals of LGBT people simply for being who they are. We urge all Provinces and Primates of the Anglican Communion to support international action in condemnation of this dangerous and inhuman bill.”

This legislation has been condemned by IGLHRC, the U.S. State Department, the European Union, too many AIDS organizations to count, including UNAIDS, and others. Even the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the USA (TEC) has come out in opposition to the legislation. “We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject.”

The statement is contained in the “Mind of the House” resolutions issued after the bishops’ Spring Meeting in Camp Allen, Texas earlier this month in stark contrast to the silence–until very recently–of the Anglican Communion, the organization comprising the 38 churches that trace their origin to the Church of England, in which Akinola is the leading conservative voice and the voice of the so-called Global South.

Nevertheless, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, leader of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, voiced his concern that the Church be a safe place for gay and lesbian people in a welcome message contained in an interim report from the Communion’s Listening Process released March 28. “The commitments of the Communion are not only to certain theological positions on the question of sexual ethics but also to a manifest and credible respect for the proper liberties of homosexual people, a commitment again set out in successive Lambeth Conference Resolutions over many decades,” Williams wrote. “I share the concerns expressed about situations where the Church is seen to be underwriting social or legal attitudes which threaten these proper liberties. It is impossible to read this report without being aware that in many places - including Western countries with supposedly ‘liberal’ attitudes – hate crimes against homosexual people have increased in recent years and have taken horrifying and disturbing forms.”

The Listening Process is a mechanism established by the Communion to hear the voices of LGBT Anglicans in preparation for making policy concerning their treatment and inclusion in light of controversy concerning TEC’s 2003 consecration of V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man in a committed relationship, as bishop of New Hampshire and the performance of same-sex unions in many dioceses. Other members of the Communion ordain gay and lesbian priests and perform same-sex unions as well. However, none have consecrated an openly gay or lesbian bishop as yet. I will be writing much more about this controversy and its effect on TEC at a slightly later date–probably next week.

Now that Williams has finally broken his silence, it is more important than ever to express concern to the Nigerian government about the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act. The National Assembly recess provides the perfect opportunity to get those objections in before the bill comes up for a vote. With enough protest, it is possible this bill will never reach the floor. I urge you to contact George A. Obiozor, Nigerian ambassador to the U.S., at Nigerian embassy in Washington, D.C. The full address is:

Ambassador Professor George A. Obiozor
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court NW
Washington, DC 20008

You can also fax your letters. The fax number is (202) 775-1385. Although I believe written communication will be more powerful, comments may registered at the embassy via phone by calling (202) 986-8400;. I strongly urge anyone who phones or writes to be very polite even while expressing your concern and dismay. Remember that you are representing your country and, if you are LGBT, all of us as well. Let’s get busy and support our Nigerian LGBT sisters and brothers.

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