USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Nigeria’s anti-gay law is a crime against reason

Most of the signatories to that "Nigeria's anti-gay law is a crime against reason"happen to be located outside of Nigeria, where we are to supposethat they are to some extent acculturated Westerners or even bone fide Nigerian cultural chauvinists and if they are themselves gay or merely sympathisers to the equal rights gay cause, they enjoy practicing their sexual orientation whatever it is, in a more tolerant/ accepting environment, in total freedom, and not in the penitentiary. Importing or imposing such advanced viewpoints on the legislation that has just been passed in Nigeria, is just the beginning of their long battle - like the long battle that took place in the US, the UK and Canada to get to where they are today, about such matters.

In my opinion the title of the piece that they have endorsed, is a little exaggerated, "a crime against reason" they say, when at the same time we find such legislation in the Holy Bible for example –  not to mention the collective punishment ofSodom and Gomorrah  although  as far as reason is concerned, in the Jewish tradition we find in e.g. Isaiah 1:18 : "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord"

THEREFORE, IN my HUMBLE OPINION, in reasoning with the Lord about HIS LEGISLATIONS about same -sex sexual relations, IT would BE INADVISABLE THAT WE BEGIN WITH THE argument THAT the ALMIGHTY'S LEGISLATION "IS a crime against reason"– or INDEED "A crime against humanity"

In reasoning with the legislators of the law in Nigeria, first and foremost it is necessary to define who is a human being – including a Nigerian human being, and having established that, to explain to them the diversities that exist in human beings' sexual orientation – to begin with – give Patrick White as an example of the Almighty's creation - and what a loss to the literary world he would have been if he had been Nigerian....

Since there is a religious basis and a traditional African cultural basis that renders the anti-gay legislation popular among the majority of Nigerians   - the gay minority which also lives within Nigeria's geographical and cultural parameters, are in effect appealing for their reasonable share of legal sexual rights and protection from persecution, instead of being defined as criminals. So it's a long battle ahead – with the lawmakers seeing this legislation as basically a deterrent to what they fear could be the spread of a "homosexual culture" which from their fundamental Christian and Muslim and other traditional cultural points of view is nothing short of decadence and  an abomination.

 Isn't it the same kind of battle lines drawn in Russia?

Intereestibng quote here:

"All cultures both created and reinforced by environmental and social contexts. When we think of society's structures, too often we consider only political and economic systems, neglecting to include culture. Culture is not an independent, self-generating set of transitory behaviors and values. It is part and parcel of ours society's structures. As Cornel West has rightly argued, culture is "as much a structure as the economy or politics; it is rooted in institutions such as families, schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, and communications industries (television, radio, video, music). Similarly, the economy and politics are not only influenced by values but also promote particular cultural ideals of good life and good society".  Because culture is so rooted in the institutions that shape our society as a whole, it is absurd to talk about black cultural dysfunction as if black people reside in total cultural isolation from all the main stream institutions of American society."

Page 67 - The Hip Hop Wars by Tricia Rose

Pages 236-240 deal with homosexuality and "Finally, in Beyond Beats and Rhymes, when Hurt asked rappers Busta Rhymes and Mos Def to talk about homophobia in hip hop, they both became quite uncomfortable and closed down the conversation.  Busta Ryhmes said that he can't "partake in that conversation...that homo shit? ...I ain't trying to offend nobody. It's my cultural, what I represent culturally, doesn't condone it whatsoever"

Since in cyberspace the discussion is less taboo, it should be worthwhile hearing more female voices in this discussion....

Now I don't say like Sheikh Ilm, "I only debate with my equals all others I teach" Teach what?

So,

 In peace only,

We Sweden

Nigeria's anti-gay law is a crime against reason

Months after it was passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a bill that criminalizes homosexual 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-sex marriage and public expression of same-sex 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 homosexuality 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 Sex 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 sexual inclination. Third, it ignores the fruits of many decades of scientific research which proves decisively that homosexuality is as natural as heterosexuality. 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 homosexuality 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 along 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. Homosexuality 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.

 

Regards,
Chido Onumah
Coordinator, African Centre for Media & Information Literacy,
P.O.Box 6856, Wuse 11, Abuja, Nigeria
www.africmil.org
+234-7043202605