On January 7th, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which makes same-sex marriage a crime and punishable by up to 14 years in jail. Folks all over the world are talking about it, but especially Nigerians. View and share reactions after the jump.
Legally, the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act criminalizes same-sex marriage and provides for up to 14 years in jail. Membership or support of gay organizations, associations or clubs carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Socially, it’s caused an uproar in Nigeria and those interested around the world. Those who want to see the ban lifted fear that homosexuals would be targeted for violence and possibly, death, as a result of the bill. Pro-bill supporters counter that the bill is in line with Nigeria’s conservative and religious views.
President Jonathan’s Spokesperson, Reuben Abati said:
“This is a law that is in line with the people’s cultural and religious inclination. So it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people … Nigerians are pleased with it.”
Dorothy Aken’Ova, Executive Director of Nigeria’s International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights, cautioned:
The laws will endanger medical programmes combating HIV-Aids in the gay community. Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally with an estimated 3.4 million people living with HIV.
Nollywood filmmaker, Charles Novia, wrote:
Western movies and television series have been beaming images of Gay lives and marriages to African homes and these things scare Africans a lot. What is being projected is unthinkable to Africans in the majority. The very idea that two men would marry and live together as husband and husband is not in good taste to many Africans. Likewise lesbians marrying themselves too in Africa. It cannot be accepted and the drastic laws are being passed to stop this incursion.
There are over six billion people in the world today. Gays are probably 15% of the World’s total population. Go figure that out. I have nothing against Gays. I believe in tolerance. But I do not in anyway support the notion that a Same-sex marital environment should thrive in Nigeria. There are safe havens for that in Western Societies. And in South Africa. But it is, at this point of Africa’s development, not acceptable in Nigeria. That is just the reality.
Novia’s points are evident in document study. A study of 39 nations around the world by the U.S. Pew Research Center found that 98 percent of Nigerians believe society should not accept homosexuality, making the country the world’s least tolerant when it comes to LGBT issues. Further, in signing the bill into law, Nigeria has joined about 70% of the continent that have adopted anti-gay legislation.
We’ll continue posting reactions but how do YOU feel about the bill passing? Share your reactions in the comments section below.
