Homosexuality in Nigeria: Deliberate ignorance can't save us anymore

I was discussing with a friend of mine last month and he spoke of a man he knew, who caught his wife having sex on their matrimonial bed, with a woman. Imagine his shock at the sight of this! The woman he shared vows with, having an affair with another woman? An image he'd wish he could unsee. So, would I be wrong If I choose to call her a lesbian, or bisexual? The case of homosexuality is one the Nigerian culture, actually the African culture, has deliberately ignored and refused to address. If only researchers could identify its origin, explore how deep homosexuallity is in Nigeria, and see if our culture will ever adapt and welcome this ‘strange’ culture.

However, if you're hoping to get my opinion on whether homosexuality is wrong or right in this piece, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed because that’s a debate I am not stepping into.

Homosexuality is known to be a sexual attraction between the same sex. Studies have shown that it has been in existence since the first of mankind. Although, it was always seen as foul, sinful, unlawful, and abnormal except during the Roman empire where same sex–marriage was widely accepted. The first documentation of homosexuality was found in Egypt in 2450 BCE, where a same sex couple was found buried together embracing and kissing. The western world has imbibed this concept into their community with a deeper sense than it was earlier. Gender and sexual diversity (GSD) as the name implies, refers to different categories and identification of them with homosexuality only accounting for two of them; Gays and lesbians. They didn't get this freedom on a silver platter though. The movement had to claw their way into acceptance in the society through protests, media, government, and hostile response to oppositions and discrimination when necessary. The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969 and it marked the start of a rebellion against brutality from the police and society in America towards them. Before then, gays and lesbians in America faced a stringent and anti–homosexual legal system. Fast-forward to today's world the society has gained public acceptance and a bit of control making them somewhat hostile to discrimination. With statements like “gender is who you are and sex is who you want”, this movement has planted its flag across the western society.

The question lingering in the minds of this community now is if this success can be reciprocated in Nigeria and Africa at large. With push for bills and media presence from influential persons in Nigeria, the community has crept into the society thereby gaining a certain level of confidence even to the level of public appearances. On many occasions, I've encountered crossdressers, guys exhibiting traits of a woman, and girls doing the same on the streets of Lagos, on campuses in and outside of Lagos, and online. The Nigerian community and leadership has turned a blind eye to all of this for so long. Last year, a prominent influencer and cross dresser who identifies as gay and goes by the name Bobrisky, was awarded the best dressed female at the movie premiere of “Ajanaku: Beast of two worlds”. This act by its organizers received a lot of criticism from women and society at large. Why should a man who dresses and identifies as a woman in a society whose culture and laws frown upon it be given such acknowledgement in a room filled with women. That was my thought too. 

The assumption that homosexuality is minute in Nigeria can no longer stand. The cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and tradition of the Nigerian society is one that is too strong and stringent to accommodate the Gender and sexual diversity community. One could argue that the same was said during the Stonewall age in America, but how strong was their legal, cultural and religious heritage then. Nigerian society is built on various ethnicities and each of them place importance on marriage and family between a man and woman only. Take the sharia law as an instance, imbibed by 12 northern states in Nigeria. The law permits hostile punishments like the death penalty for men, public flogging and humiliation for women caught in a sexual act with each other. Another instance is the same sex marriage prohibition act that was passed in 2014. This law was passed to rebuke marriage and union of the same sex in Nigeria. Its punishment extends to a 14 year imprisonment for defaulters, and a maximum of 10 year imprisonment for any identified member of the LGBTQ+ community. A bit harsh if you ask me. Because of these laws,non governmental organizations across the world have expressed their disapproval and distaste by calling it a violation of human rights. Some of these organizations went as far as pulling support and funding of humanitarian activities in Nigeria.

 It should be noted that these laws and acts by the Nigerian government did not stop the movement from gaining recognition and influence in the Nigerian society. What began as an underground network and anonymous support has gained so much ground that public display of homosexuality is seen as normal now. Acceptance is quite possible, but If we intend to protect the culture and heritage of our forefathers, silence should no longer be an option. What's it going to be?