Tag: gay nigeria
Nigeria: 4 men charged with breaking anti-gay laws whipped in Islamic court
A human rights group says four men convicted of breaking anti-gay laws have been whipped publicly in an Islamic court in Bauchi, northern Nigeria. The Associated Press reports the men were among dozens arrested after Nigeria strengthened laws against same-sex sexual activity in January. Dorothy Aken’Ova of the Coalition for the Defence of Sexual Rights… Read more »
Nigerian Anglican Church requiring office holders to denounce homosexuality
The Anglican Church in Nigeria has banned homosexuals and bisexuals from all official roles within the church – forcing potential office holders to denounce homosexuality before God People seeking to hold official positions within the Anglican Church of Nigeria are being forced to swear that they are not gay before God – inviting God to… Read more »
Award winning Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie slams anti-gay laws
Award winning Nigerian author and poet Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has spoken out about the further criminalization of homosexuality in her homeland – calling it a victimless crime Nigerian author and poet Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has criticized legislative efforts to further suppress the LGBTI community in Nigeria in an opinion piece for News Wire Nigeria published… Read more »
Wielding Whip and a Hard New Law, Nigeria Tries to ‘Sanitize’ Itself of Gays
Bauchi, Nigeria — The young man cried out as he was being whipped on the courtroom bench. The bailiff’s leather whip struck him 20 times, and when it was over, the man’s side and back were covered with bruises. Still, the large crowd outside was disappointed, the judge recalled: The penalty for gay sex under… Read more »
Nigerian gay people being hunted down
In northern Nigeria, gay men are being hunted down. In front of Bauchi state’s Sharia Commission, a white-walled two-storey building, men in dark green uniforms are awaiting orders from their boss. The man in charge of the Islamic police, or Hisbah, says the hunt began when the Hausa Leadership newspaper reported last year that homosexuals… Read more »
Nigeria: Trial of men accused of being gay suspended due to ‘mob justice’ fears
Two Islamic courts in Nigeria have suspended the trials of 10 men accused of breaking laws against homosexuality over fears stones will once again be thrown at the defendants. An angry crowd last Wednesday pelted stones at several men suspected of breaking Islamic law banning homosexuality after their hearing was adjourned at the Upper Sharia… Read more »
Nigeria’s Gay ‘Witch Hunt’ Has Lead To Arrests In 4 States: Amnesty International
Lagos, Nigeria (AP) — A “witch hunt” for gay people has led to arrests in at least four of Nigeria’s 36 states, Amnesty International said Wednesday, blaming a new law criminalizing gay organizations and meetings as well as same-sex marriage. It said the law’s disregard for human rights mirrors that of the military dictators who… Read more »
38 gay men arrested in Nigeria, 130 more to go
Human rights activists claim police have a list of 168 gay men in northern Nigeria and will arrest every last one Dozens of gay men are being arrested in northern Nigeria, human rights activists have said. The police have allegedly drawn up a list of 168 wanted gay men. 38 have been arrested in recent… Read more »
Nigeria: 11 Muslim men accused of being gay face possible death sentence by religious court
Get the latest LGBT headlines in your inbox with our free daily newsletter! An Islamic court in Nigeria has put on trial 11 Muslim men accused of violating their religion due to their alleged sexuality – if found guilty they could be sentenced to death by stoning. The trials are taking place in the country’s… Read more »
Nigeria bans gay marriage, gay meetings
Abuja, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s president has signed a law that bans same-sex marriage and criminalizes homosexual associations, societies and meetings, with penalties of up to 14 years in jail. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act on Monday. It was signed by President Goodluck Jonathan and dated Jan.… Read more »
The gay taboo in Nigeria: “I don’t lose sight of the struggle”
It’s now nearly nine years since Bisi Alimi made the decision to come out as gay on national Nigerian television. He hasn’t stopped fighting since. It’s now nearly nine years since Bisi Alimi made the decision to come out as gay on national Nigerian television. He hasn’t stopped fighting since. Bisi Alimi had trouble getting… Read more »
In Nigeria a Mere Rumor of Being Gay Can Lead to Violence and Imprisonment
This week police in Aba state, Nigeria, had 40-year-old Benjamin Ndubuisi go on trail for having gay sex with a 23-year-old man, based on rumors. Police allege that Ndubuisi, who they say is a pastor, had sex with a younger man who worked at his Ogbor Hill church, basing their case entirely on what appears… Read more »
Nigeria will allow foreign diplomats who are same-sex married to serve
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister says that if diplomats who are in same-sex marriages are sent to the West African nation they will be allowed to do their jobs despite the country’s law criminalizing same-sex marriage Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru has said that Nigeria will allow foreign diplomats married to people of the… Read more »
The flames of homophobia burn in Nigeria
The flames of homophobia are burning in Nigeria. The latest version of the deceptively named “Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill” has dangerously resurfaced. This report was first published on iglhrc.org on Jun 26, 2013. On May 30, 2013 the Nigerian House of Representatives passed a bill banning same sex marriage and further criminalizing same sex relations.… Read more »
UN condemns Nigeria’s Parliament for passing anti-gay law
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned Nigeria’s Parliament for passing a law that further criminalises homosexuality by punishing those who try to enter same-sex marriages. Appearing on a BBC World news programme on Friday, Navi Pillay said: “I am very concerned that the rights of LGBT people… their sexual orientation rights… Read more »
UN says Nigeria’s ‘Jail All the Gays Bill’ breaks international law
President Goodluck Jonathan will be violating Nigerian law and treaties if he signs bill to jail all gays, lesbians and those who protect them UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has condemned Nigeria’s new law, designed to round up and imprison all gay people in the country. She said the bill violates Nigeria’s own equality… Read more »
Poll: 92% of Nigerians support proposed bill to criminalise same-sex marriage
A new poll has found that 92% of Nigerians are in support of a proposed bill to make same-sex marriages punishable with 14 year prison sentences. Back in May, a bill to further criminalise same-sex marriages in Nigeria with prison terms of up to 14 years was passed by lawmakers in the country’s Parliament. Same-sex… Read more »
Nigeria one step away from banning gay marriage
President yet to sign bill that would jail same-sex couples for up to 14 years amid pressure from UK and US over foreign aid Nigeria has passed a bill banning gay marriage, outlawing organisations supporting gay rights and setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders. The bill, passed by Nigeria’s House of… Read more »
Nigeria Lawmakers Pass Anti-Gay Marriage Bill
Abuja, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s House of Representatives voted Thursday to ban gay marriage and outlaw any groups actively supporting gay rights, endorsing a measure that also calls for 10-year prison sentences for any “public show” of affection by a same-sex couple. Representatives appeared to unanimously approve the proposal in a voice vote, sending it… Read more »
Living a Double Life: HIV and Men Who Have Sex with Men
HIV has a devastating impact on men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria. “Because of stigma, discrimination, homophobia, and criminalization that MSM face in the course of their lives in many African countries, many are reluctant to access health care services and participate in research thus heightening their vulnerability to HIV infection,” says… Read more »
Anti-gay movie heading for gay-obsessed Nigeria
No good seems likely to come from this: A Nigerian movie called “Law 58? reportedly will be released soon, at least on DVD, with the aim of “throw[ing] light on gay practices in the country and its devastating effects on the society at large,” in the words of Naija.com. The film, reportedly shot several years… Read more »
Report: 3 gay men stripped, beaten by Nigerian mob
Report: Three Nigerian men accused of homosexuality, seized, stripped, beaten by mob — now missing A mob reportedly seized, stripped and beat three accused homosexuals in northern Nigeria on Jan. 14. Their current condition and whereabouts are unknown. “Only the perpetrators and the community can tell the whole world what has become of these men… Read more »
With Uganda arrests, at least 13 in jail for being gay
In Cameroon, Jonas Singa Kumie and Franky Djome are appealing their five-year sentence for homosexual activity. Here they pose with their attorney, Alice Nkom. (Photo by Eric O. Lembembe) Arrests of two gay-rights workers this week in Uganda bring to at least 13 the number of people worldwide who are currently imprisoned on charges of… Read more »
Nigeria’s president urged to reject ‘jail the gays’ bill
Activists pressure President Goodluck Jonathan not to approve law which jails all gay people and anyone who fails to report a homosexual to the authorities Activists are calling on human rights supporters to pressure Nigeria’s president to reject a ‘jail the gays’ law. The bill would see people jailed for being gay and even imprisoned… Read more »
Gay Nigerian, Ugandan Named Most Influential
Two African activists, one Nigerian, the other Ugandan have been named as the most influential in a yearly poll released Sunday. Nigerian gay activist, Bisi Alimi made it to the Independent on Sunday’s (IoS) Pink List 2012 of the most influential persons in Britain at number 90 while Ugandan Frank Mugisha was featured in the… Read more »
Bisi Alimi Talks To Elnathan
In the second interview of the series, Bisi Alimi, a prolific human rights campaigner talks to Elnathan about his life and work. He started his advocacy work at the height of the HIV epidemic within the Nigerian MSM community in the late 90s. He worked as Program Director for the country’s foremost MSM organization “The… Read more »
Nigeria anti-gay law within striking distance of approval
A bill to further criminalise same-sex relationships in Nigeria has reportedly passed through a second reading in the country’s House of Representatives. According to Nigeria’s Punch newspaper, the proposed legislation, which has already been endorsed by the parliament’s Senate, now awaits the approval of the Committee of the Whole House. Same-sex relations are already illegal… Read more »
3 months in Nigerian jail for mistaken gay sex, or rape?
Little-known Nigerian actor Bestwood Chukwuemeka was sentenced today to three months in prison for homosexual sex. However, news coverage of his case by Premium Times, Igboist, Identity Kenya and others contain apparent contradictions that remain unexplained. When Chukwuemeka, 28, was arrested in August, 9jaLife and other online news outlets reported that he was accused rape.… Read more »
Nigeria gives man three months jail for gay sex
Bestwood Chukwuemeka was sentenced to three months in jail by a Karu Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, Nigeria for having consexual gay sex with another man Chukwuemeka, a 28 year-old actor, resident of Gidan Mangoro, had pleaded guilty to having engaged in ‘homosexual acts’, yesterday 17 September, 2012. He was sentenced to a three months jail… Read more »
A Diary of ‘Gays’ in Nigeria
The African society views same-sex relationships as repulsive. Yet in Nigeria, homosexuals live among us. A few hide their status from the world’s prying eyes, while the majority however do not care. Some of them take Ruth Olurounbi through their worlds, insisting that they have been unfairly judged and misunderstood. Her report: Temitope Ali (not… Read more »
European Parliament calls on Nigeria to reverse anti-gay laws
Following violence and economic concerns in the African state, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Nigeria which condemns in part the current legal threats to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Nigeria’s Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill was proposed in 2011, and has since been amended by the Nigerian Senate to punish those… Read more »
Nigerian health minister says bisexuals “pose a challenge” to HIV efforts
The report found an increase in HIV rates among men who have sex with menThe report found an increase in HIV rates among men who have sex with men Nigeria’s health minister has warned that bisexual men pose a “challenge” to efforts to tackle the spread of HIV in the country, as the prevalence of… Read more »
Gay marriage: Nigeria can do without foreign aids – Mbagwu
A host of Nigerians have criticised the threat of United States of America President, Barack Obama, and his European Union counterparts’ threat to stop giving grants and aids to countries that are opposed to same sex marriages including Nigeria. To Chief Cliff Mbagwu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), management consultant and chairman… Read more »
2011: Celebrating Human Rights
The Initiative for Equal Rights is dedicated to celebrating human rights and particularly commemorating the International Human Rights’ Day. The International human rights day celebrates the spirit of human rights and the efforts of Human rights Defenders around the world to end human rights violations against vulnerable members of society. Some of the most vulnerable… Read more »
60,000 petition Nigerian President not to sign anti-gay law
Activists have delivered a copy of a 60,000-strong global petition addressed to the Nigerian President, urging him not to sign in new laws that target gays. Representatives from the Nigerian LGBTQI in Diaspora, and campaigners from AllOut.org, who are running the petition on their website, rallied outside the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations, New… Read more »
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