Nigeria debates gay ban law
Nigerian lawmakers are currently debating a bill that would ban same sex marriage as well as any gay organisations or meetings.
The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill now in the National Assembly, was introduced by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It would even ban sharing a meal with a gay person.
The bill calls for up to five years imprisonment for any person who “goes through the ceremony of marriage with a person of the same sex”, anyone who helps them and any gay clubs or organisations.
Gay activists have pledged to use every constitutional means to stop the bill, which they describe as “injurious to sexual minorities”, accusing the sponsors of the bill of being sentimental and insensitive to the sexuality rights of a population.
However, many people are scared to come forward in support as homosexuality is still illegal in the country, driving the community underground.
Haruna Yerima, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, told the Associated Press that he supported the law as it is “against our culture … against our religion.”
The leader of the House, Abdul Ningi, has previously said homosexuality needs to be addressed as it is embarrassing the country
