One of the contentious issues in the debate over homosexuality and same sex marriage is whether a marriage between persons of the same gender is totally alien to African culture and tradition. Those opposing same sex marriage have continued to argue that same gender union is foreign to Africa. On the contrary, I have tried to draw their attention to the fact that there is a strain of same gender marriage in African tradition particularly in Igboland. And that we should not rush to deny this, or pretend it does not exist or just sweep it under the concept all in the quest to establish that same gender marriage is alien to the African continent, and must be banned.
I hail from Mbaise in Imo State in Southern Nigeria. Traditionally, in my community, marriage is taken to be a union between a man and a woman or a man and many women as the case may be.
more>>> Culture Kitchen
Nigeria: Homosexuals Kick Against Same-Sex Prohibition Bill
12 March 2009
Abuja — Homosexuals yesterday stormed the National Assembly to protest over a bill which seeks to prohibit same sex marriages in Nigeria.
The group, comprising young males and females, said they were opposed to the bill because the United Nations charter on Human Rights guaranteed them freedom of association and freedom to sexual orientation, all of which the proposed law will deny them.
The protest was countered by a group of religious leaders who were in attendance at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Human Rights, Women Affairs and Justice. more >>> allafrica.com
Nigeria Gay Activist Speaks Out
Gay rights activist Rashidi Williams addresses Nigeria’s National Assembly 11 March 2009
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Nigerian gay rights activists have told the country’s lawmakers that a new bill to outlaw same sex marriage would lead to widespread human rights abuses.
The new law would mean prison sentences for gay people who live together, and anyone who “aids and abets” them.
The plea by activists was made to a public committee of the National Assembly which is discussing the bill.
It is already illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria but the new law would extend police powers to arrest suspects.
“This bill is not necessary, we see no reason why people should be criminalised,” Rashidi Williams, 23, of the Queer Alliance of Nigeria told the committee.
“I did not choose to be gay. It is trial enough to live in this country, we should not create more laws to make us suffer,” he said.
more>>> the right counter propagandizes using children with tshirt slogans
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