Nigerian Group In USA Wants UK, US To Deny Nigerian officials Visa Over Gay Law

I thought we have moved passed this. Months after it was
passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a bill that
criminalizes homos*xual relationships in Nigeria has been signed into law by
President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President gave his assent to the bill, which stipulates
lengthy jail terms, both for same-s*x marriage and public expression of
same-s*x intimacy, despite pressure from local and international social rights
and public health advocacy groups.

There have been criticisms of the law in Nigeria, where
antipathy towards homos*xuality and LGBT people, stoked by a convenient
alliance of the state, the clergy, and the rump of the mainstream media, runs deep.

We, the undersigned, wish to ally ourselves with these
voices of reason. We unreservedly condemn the Same S*x Marriage Prohibition Law
and urge civil society and human rights groups to start a campaign that we hope
will soon result in its abolition.

We also urge the eminent personages across the world who
have condemned the so-called law to go beyond diplomatic gestures and put
pressures on the Nigerian government wherever they can. Specifically, the
United States and the United Kingdom should, forthwith, impose diplomatic
sanctions (e.g., denial of visas) on all Nigerian functionaries, including
journalists, the clergy, and policymakers associated with the passing of the
law.

There are many reasons why every right-thinking person
should oppose this law.

First, it is based on a spurious, uninformed and
one-dimensional reading of ‘African culture.’ Second, it criminalizes a section
of Nigerians for nothing other than their natural s*xual inclination.

Third, it ignores the fruits of many decades of scientific
research which proves decisively that homos*xuality is as natural as
heteros*xuality. Fourth, the law threatens to reverse the gains made by
programs aimed at fighting the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the country.

Fifth, it is absurd in terms of the jail time it stipulates
for those who associate with LGBT people. Sixth, it casts Nigeria in a bad
light for no good reason, putting it in the vulgar company of other countries
where homos*xuality is criminalized.

Seventh, it gives law enforcement agents an open check to go
after innocent Nigerians in the name of upholding the law. Finally, the law
impinges on Nigerians’ freedom of speech and association, and expressly
violates the rights of minorities in a free and democratic society.

It is not the business of any state, let alone the Nigerian
state, to interpose itself in the private affairs of two consenting adults. Any
human act or practice that does not infringe on the freedom of others cannot
and should not be criminalized. Homos*xuality does not harm us as a society and
people. It is the hypocrisy, venality, and corruption that pervade our society
that are the source of our problems.

Signed:

Ebenezer Obadare, Lawrence, Kansas, USA;   Akin Adesokan, Bloomington, Indiana,
USA;    Wale Adebanwi, Davis, California,
USA;  Lola Shoneyin, Abeokuta,
Nigeria;  Jude Dibia, Lagos,
Nigeria;  Jeremy Weate, Abuja, Nigeria;
Chido Onumah, Abuja, Nigeria; 
Amatoritsero Ede, Ottawa, Canada; 
Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, Brooklyn, New York, USA;  Olufemi Taiwo, Ithaca, New York, USA;  Tejumola Olaniyan, Madison, Wisconsin,
USA;  Ike Anya, London, UK;  Kunle Ajibade, Lagos, Nigeria,;  Moradewun Adejunmobi, California, USA;   Sean Jacobs, Brooklyn, New York, USA;   Adeleke Adeeko, Ilorin, Nigeria;   Olakunle George, Providence, Rhode Island,
USA;  Wendy Willems, London, UK;   Ikhide R. Ikheloa, Maryland, USA;   Rudolf Okonkwo, New York, USA;   Jide Wintoki, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

Source: Premium Times