Nigeria has decided to test the resolve of many nations in the international community who have threatened to pull aid to those nations over their attacks on the rights of lesbians and gays. Now, Nigerian legislators have started hearings into a bill that would criminalize same-sex marriage and make it punishable by five years in jail. On Monday, the Nigerian senate opened debate on the bill. It is expected that they will vote on it in the next couple of weeks.
A version of the bill, published on the senate website, states “[A] marriage contract entered between persons of the same gender is hereby prohibited in Nigeria. . .Any persons or group that witnesses … that aids the solemnisation of a same sex marriage contract commits an offence and is liable to a term of 5 years imprisonment …”
Currently, Nigerian law treats homosexuality in two different ways. Those areas covered in the north by Sharia law impose the death penalty for homosexuality while in the south, it is just punished by jail time.
Another version of the bill would outlaw any “coming together of persons of same sex with the purpose of living together as husband and wife or for other purposes of same sexual relationship.” This is not the first time that such legislation has been proposed, but the last time, those bills failed to make it through their votes.
Otibho Obiowu, a representative of the Nigerian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transsexuals and Intersexual association stated that “A society that stifles sexual and other identities discourages the recognition of human dignity. LGBTI rights are human rights.” Most LGBTI Nigerians are terrified to speak out.
Many of those pushing this legislation are relying upon the same arguments that are failing in the United States. Michael Ekpenyong, secretary general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said at the hearing on Monday that “If we accept that two consenting adults can marry, we will soon … have to … argue whether mother and son, father and daughter are not free to marry.” Such an argument is common out of the Catholic Church in the United States, but has fallen flat in the end.
Senate President David Mark voices support for the bill saying “My faith as Christian abhors it. It is incomprehensible to contemplate same sex marriage. I cannot understand it. I cannot be a party to it.” Mark also called it an “importation of a foreign culture.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is facing budget problems at home, has threatened to cut aid to African countries that do not respect LGBT rights. While this will work in Uganda and Malawi, Nigeria is dependant upon oil and can ignore that threat.
Source: LEZGETReal
A version of the bill, published on the senate website, states “[A] marriage contract entered between persons of the same gender is hereby prohibited in Nigeria. . .Any persons or group that witnesses … that aids the solemnisation of a same sex marriage contract commits an offence and is liable to a term of 5 years imprisonment …”
Currently, Nigerian law treats homosexuality in two different ways. Those areas covered in the north by Sharia law impose the death penalty for homosexuality while in the south, it is just punished by jail time.
Another version of the bill would outlaw any “coming together of persons of same sex with the purpose of living together as husband and wife or for other purposes of same sexual relationship.” This is not the first time that such legislation has been proposed, but the last time, those bills failed to make it through their votes.
Otibho Obiowu, a representative of the Nigerian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transsexuals and Intersexual association stated that “A society that stifles sexual and other identities discourages the recognition of human dignity. LGBTI rights are human rights.” Most LGBTI Nigerians are terrified to speak out.
Many of those pushing this legislation are relying upon the same arguments that are failing in the United States. Michael Ekpenyong, secretary general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said at the hearing on Monday that “If we accept that two consenting adults can marry, we will soon … have to … argue whether mother and son, father and daughter are not free to marry.” Such an argument is common out of the Catholic Church in the United States, but has fallen flat in the end.
Senate President David Mark voices support for the bill saying “My faith as Christian abhors it. It is incomprehensible to contemplate same sex marriage. I cannot understand it. I cannot be a party to it.” Mark also called it an “importation of a foreign culture.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is facing budget problems at home, has threatened to cut aid to African countries that do not respect LGBT rights. While this will work in Uganda and Malawi, Nigeria is dependant upon oil and can ignore that threat.
Source: LEZGETReal
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