Nigerian human rights groups and gay activists are outraged by a bid to introduce legislation which would criminalise gay marriage, claiming it would violate their fundamental rights.
Nigerian human rights groups and gay activists are outraged by a bid to introduce legislation which would criminalise gay marriage, claiming it would violate their fundamental rights.
Homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria and even carries the death penalty in the 12 northern Muslim states which impose Sharia law. But lawmakers are considering a bid to expressly outlaw marriage between same sex couples.
Eunuchs - Children Of A Lesser God
Medindia's interview of eunuchs or transgender community unravels their gender-confusion, the blood-curdling castration ceremony and their existential struggle to find a space in society.
Medindia's interview of eunuchs or transgender community unravels their gender-confusion, the blood-curdling castration ceremony and their existential struggle to find a space in society.
Punishment for "any persons or group of persons that witness, abet and aids the solemnisation of a same gender marriage contract" is an even harsher five-year jail term.
"We ask that the lawmakers work with us to understand the concept of sexuality and sexual orientation through our experiences and not create laws that will punish us needlessly," Queer Alliance's Rashidi Williams told parliamentarians during a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday.
Transgenders of Chennai To Get Their Own Public Toilets
Pre and post-operative transsexuals in the southern Indian city of Chennai are to get their own public toilets in an effort to boost recognition of the community, a report said Monday.
Pre and post-operative transsexuals in the southern Indian city of Chennai are to get their own public toilets in an effort to boost recognition of the community, a report said Monday.
While homosexuality is illegal, authorities are seeking to outlaw gay marriage after a number of suspected cases came to light.
Advertisement
Should Gay Men be Allowed to Donate Blood?
The lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men was put in place in the 1980s when little was known about HIV.
The lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men was put in place in the 1980s when little was known about HIV.
Police charged the wedding guests, dressed in female clothes, with indecent dressing. They were released on bail and the case is still pending.
Advertisement
Genetics of ‘Gay’ Abandon
Homoesexuality (or) Same Sex Love is the hottest most discussed human trait. There has been a hunt for a Gaye gene in order to lend credibility to a growing cause.
Homoesexuality (or) Same Sex Love is the hottest most discussed human trait. There has been a hunt for a Gaye gene in order to lend credibility to a growing cause.
Rights groups say the law will criminalise any activities related to homosexuals including human rights defending and advocacy for equal rights for all individuals or communities.
The Sexual Minorities Against AIDS in Nigeria (SMAAN) said the bill was likely to increase vulnerability of gays and lesbians to HIV infection as they will shy away from or be kept out of vital health services.
"Faced with legal or social sanctions, individuals who engage in same-sex sex are either excluded from, or exclude themselves from, accessing sexual health information and services because they fear stigma, discimination and criminal prosecution," SMAAN said in its submission to the lawmakers.
New York-based Human Rights Watch and Global Rights also urged Nigerian deputies to reject the proposed legislation.
The Anglican Church of Nigeria has given the bill its full backing.
The Church said allowing gay marriages in Nigeria will be unconstitutional "should we use places made for the solemnisation of a union between a man and a woman for that of people of the same gender."
"Same sex marriage, apart from being ungodly, is also unscriptural, unnatural, unprofitable, unhealthy, uncultural, un-African and un-Nigerian," the Church said.
South Africa became the first African country to approve gay marriage in November 2006. However, homosexuality is largely taboo across the continent.
Source-AFP
SRM
