It’s no longer news that the LGBT communities go through severe persecution in Nigeria; this is backed by the law and in many cases by local militias and the mob. Yes, the mob beat, maim and
kill people suspected to be LGBTs, no confirmation required. Jungle justice delivered based on mere suspicions.
Recently, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, joined the call for the Nigerian government to stop discriminatory laws against the LGBT community. I will add that in addition to stopping discrimination, attacks on people of LGBT orientation should be punishable by law. This was met with fierce rebuttal from leaders of thought in Nigeria, including religious leaders. Who died and made them judge?
The same religious leaders, who sanction and sometimes practise underage marriages, polygamy, child abuse, domestic violence against women and rob their congregation blind, think they can judge LGBT folks. Get off your high horse!
Even if religious leaders make the argument that the LGBT lifestyle is sinful, he who is without a sin should cast the first
stone. Again, who died and made you judge? Even if your religion believes that the LGBT are all sinners, I strongly believe that God is big enough to judge and he won’t need to consult with religious leaders.
I am also appealing to the Nigerian leadership to reconsider and repeal this law that seeks to punish people for their sexual
orientation; these are consensual relationships between adults, which should be respected. What consenting adults choose to do with their sexual life shouldn’t be the subject of government restrictions. In a country where it’s still legal to marry a minor, who cannot make an informed decision and where young
girls are given away in marriage, I don’t think the priority should be on what consenting adults choose
to do.
You do not have to agree with me to know that LGBT= Human, therefore LGBT right = human right. Do we deny polygamists their fundamental human rights to exist? Do we lynch religious leaders who openly defraud people? Since every religion known to man condemns stealing, should we ostracise and kill professional, decorated thieves, who sit in offices and rob the government coffers blind? If you think LGBT people should be killed, then what about the demons
that walk among us, whose actions directly impact our lives and future?
Nigeria has a lot of socio-economic problems, but you better
believe that what consenting adults do behind closed doors is not one of them. All men are born
equal…
Adedayo Ade, a rights activist and social commentator writes from Lagos,
Nigeria.
