Nigeria’s LGBTIQ Community: Struggling For Recognition, Inclusion, And Safety In A Culturally Diverse Nation

By Ahusemere Monday Ogbeide

Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the World, with a population of more than 190 million people. It has over 250 ethnic groups, over 500 languages, and many distinct religious, regional, and communal differences. Nigeria is one of the World’s most culturally diverse countries, but it is united despite facing many challenges that threaten its existence and progress.

Its people hold in high esteem these cultures, religions, and traditional beliefs despite speaking different languages as it will not trade the unity, peace, culture, tradition, and faith for anything else but mindful of Western powers encouraging other nations, especially in Africa, to embrace LGBTIQ using it as a link and connecting bridge to gain favour from the civilized nation which will, in turn, create ought to pull struggling and undeveloped Countries out of its woes pushing it to the path of prosperity and progress.

This ought to be a perfect time for Nigeria to catch in on the opportunity provided by Western and developed nations to accept the practice of homosexuality, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and Same-Sex Marriage, which will promote inclusion, equality and diversity and be favoured to get economic ties with these nations, eventually leading to growth and development and to put the Country in the World map as a safe destination for LGBTIQ investors and their likes, and a nation friendly to LGBTIQ.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s decision to enact legislation criminalizing LGBTIQ in Nigeria diverged from the progressive cultural shift in the Western World. Rather than leveraging this cultural evolution to drive inclusion, equality, and diversity in Africa, thereby bolstering Nigeria’s economic advancement, the legislation widened the gap between Nigeria and Western-allied nations. This move hindered Nigeria’s potential to secure favourable economic opportunities and prosperity.

The enactment of the anti-homosexual bill has significantly endangered the already marginalized and stigmatized LGBTIQ community. This legislation creates opportunities for the alleged corrupt security services to exploit, extort, and blackmail supporters and members of the LGBTIQ community. These stringent laws undermine the fundamental universal freedoms that Nigeria had historically strived to uphold. This reflects a regression to past decades under military rule when civil rights were disregarded, and social activism and activists were restricted in their endeavours.

The Africa Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights stated in 2006 that the guarantee of equal protection extends to sexual orientation. The harsh laws contradict The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression (article 9), freedom of association (article 10), and freedom of assembly (article 11), and the equality of all people (article 2 and 3). Article 26 prescribes: “Every individual shall have the duty to respect and consider his fellow beings without discrimination, and to maintain relations aimed at promoting safeguarding, and reinforcing mutual respect and tolerance.”

These are the most repressive laws limiting these fundamental rights since the end of the junta rule in 1999. Since the signing of the harsh laws, many LGBTIQ members and supporters have lost their jobs, lost their families, and friends as the Country is no longer safe for them and their families; the marginalized and discriminated laws have taken away their fundamental human rights, freedom of association, freedom of expression and freedom to practice their sexual orientation and are likely to suffer undue hardship, further harassment and persecution, unlawful arrest and detention, prosecution and more killings in their own Country.

The prevailing political elite holds the view that homosexuality is a Western cultural phenomenon, while religious leaders argue that it goes against the divine will, plan, and commandments for humanity. Traditional leaders maintain that homosexuality contradicts the cultural, traditional, and spiritual beliefs of the community as it is perceived to stem from evil forces. They have expressed their support for the recent legislation but have advocated for a more severe penalty, such as death.

Our political leaders who choose to dislike the habit and the support of LGBTIQ freedom went further to criminalize it and put the LGBTIQ Community in disarray and dangerous situation, exposing them to all forms of dehumanizing acts, broader the space for arrest and installing harsh punishments for members and supporters of LGBTIQ; however, some of these so-called leaders secretly engaged in this acts but condemned it openly, this is the hypocrisy of the highest order. Many of them who oppose the freedom of LGBTIQ in our society secretly indulge in homosexuality. We know them and will soon start naming them if they fail to use their power and position to rescue and secure lives in Nigeria and allow LGBTIQ to live and flourish in our land.

Our political, religious, and traditional leaders prohibit Western culture while simultaneously endorsing Western education by sending their children and wards to the West for educational purposes. In addition, they seek medical treatment abroad when they fall ill, and some of them utilize illicitly obtained wealth to purchase properties in the Western World, using them as a means to siphon our commonwealth.

The actions of religious leaders who exchange their teachings and divine services for financial gain cannot be deemed aligned with God’s will, as God’s love knows no bounds and does not discriminate. According to Genesis 1:26, humankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Throughout the books of Isaiah, Psalms, Matthew, Acts, and Galatians, God’s love is demonstrated for all, including the LGBTIQ community. No authentic religious leaders or followers of God possess the authority to determine the destiny of others. Ultimately, all power rests with God.

As custodians of our culture and values, our esteemed leaders must recognize that these values extend beyond their understanding. They must embrace and accommodate the diverse ways of life and the unique nature of others. Every human being is a precious gift from God and should be treated with love and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation. The lives of LGBTIQ individuals transcend the culture and lifestyle of any community, society, or nation. It is inherent in God’s design to create individuals with distinct qualities (Isaiah 64:8; Ephesians 4:25; Matthew 10: 29 – 31; Psalm 139: 13 – 14). Therefore, members of the LGBTIQ community and their advocates should be afforded the freedom to live openly and authentically, just like everyone else in Nigeria.

The SSMPA has led to widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ individuals in the nation. Reports of arrests, unlawful detentions, and even deaths of LGBTIQ members and supporters have been widely documented. The Human Rights Watch interview on 20 October 2016 provided further evidence of the detrimental impact of the SSMPA.

There have been several local and international media reports to show that Nigeria is not safe for them. In February 2016, the Daily Post reported, “Gay wedding: Police interrupt Union, arrest couple in Abuja.” The hostile environment created by these inhuman laws that oppose the existence of LGBTIQ members and their supporters must be abolished to make room for a free and flourishing society where inclusion is promoted, equality is encouraged, and diversity is respected.

The Western World must do more to protect the suffering of the LGBTIQ members in this part of the World. They must lead by action by bringing severe sanctions on all our political, religious, and traditional leaders to enable them to rethink their actions, thoughts and hatred towards members and supporters of LGBTIQ.

As a group and body of LGBTIQ, we call on the West to impose restrictions on our leaders and their families as they live pretentiously and preach what they don’t practice. Ironically, most leaders sponsor their families and children to the West to acquire quality education. At the same time, they travel for healthcare and enjoy other social amenities but come home to condemning LGBTIQ as Western Culture.

Members and supporters of the LGBTIQ Community are reaching out to the global community for assistance due to the increasingly unsafe conditions in Nigeria. The Country has implemented harsh laws criminalizing homosexuality, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison. Meanwhile, corrupt leaders who have contributed to the nation’s decline through their illicit practices are evading accountability and enjoying the benefits of their ill-gotten gains. This situation is further compounded by the unjust and unreasonable actions of the security forces, perpetuating the suffering of LGBTIQ members in Nigeria.

Nigeria should face stronger sanctions for enacting oppressive laws aimed at erasing the presence of LGBTIQ individuals and supporters from the region. This action is crucial in halting the mistreatment, harassment, harm, persecution, unjust imprisonment, detention, and loss of life experienced by LGBTIQ community members. Advocates and allies of the LGBTIQ community are urging the international community to safeguard the well-being of LGBTIQ individuals and their families in Nigeria.