Statement on the International Day agaianst Homophobia and Transphobia 2011

Queer Alliance Nigeria


Statement on the International Day against Homophobia 2011



Fellow Countrymen,

Around the world today, the campaign against injustice on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is being marked. It may not be a popular day as compared with other dates on the calendar of the United Nations or national activities, but it also a day in which the United Nations stand in solidarity with all sexual minorities/organizations and progressive human rights group in calling for a climate of tolerance towards everyone irrespective of their perceived or real sexual orientation and gender identity. As Nigerian citizens, we are also joining our voices in calling for this tolerance and to remind our government, religious bodies, media, schools and the general public that we may be run out of our churches, mosques, homes, jobs and neighborhood, but we cannot be run out of this nation because our contribution to national development is also needed. Most especially also, that Nigeria remains our country and this is the country we want to live in.

Permit me to on behalf of the sexual minorities’ communities in Nigeria congratulate the President-elect, President Goodluck Jonathan on his victory at the just concluded polls. Our message also goes out to all those who contested the elections but lost. It is not a loss per se but a step further in the development of our dear country. Barely two weeks from now, a new administration would be sworn-in to lead the quest for the development of the country for the next four years. Allegiance would be sworn by all those who won their election bid with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whilst during the electioneering; power, job creation, improved education, fight against corruption amongst other pertinent issues surfaced as issues to be address in the next dispensation, one notable election promise was the 35% that was promised to the women on the Goodluck/Sambo ticket. The sexual minorities’ communities welcome this initiative which will believe will propel gender equity and development, linked to the rights of the Nigerian women which inevitable includes lesbian and bisexual women.

At this point in the history of our country, it is important to note that we are going through a period in which the decisive support for the rule of law, principles of freedom of speech, artistic and intellectual expression, association, religious liberty, dignity of the Human Person, freedom from discrimination, an open society and the respect/recognition of the rights of all Nigerians have become an absolute necessity. These are also revolutionary times all over the world. The world is beginning to revolt against old systems of exploitation and oppression – whatever the form of oppression be it civil, political, religious - paving way for a world in which justice and equality are fundamental issues. But we must not also forget that the world is revolting against oppression on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Nigeria should not remain indifferent; it must lead the way in Africa.

Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every citizen their fundamental human rights. The Chapter IV of the constitution gives a list these rights. Notable is the Right to the Dignity of the Human Person, The Right to Freedom from Discrimination and The Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association. Our ratification to international covenants and laws (notably Universal Declaration on Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women etc.), recognizes the fact that we know and acknowledge that sexual orientation and gender identity is and should be a protected clause in the context of human rights.

The Right to Freedom from Discrimination has been interpreted internationally to also from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. While the constitution endorse the Right to Freedom from Discrimination, discriminatory and repressive laws found in the Penal And Criminal Codes of the nation gives a breeding ground for the perpetration of hate crimes and violations of human rights on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in the country.

In Nigeria violence against sexual minorities are frequent and occur on a daily basis, mostly under-reported. People with same sex orientation are being attacked by members of the society, using these discriminatory laws and religious texts to fuel their acts. These people go unpunished for these dastardly acts. Discriminatory laws found in the penal and Criminal Codes also prevent sexual minorities from seeking redress because state actors, especially law enforcement agencies use these laws to further abuse and violate their human rights. Edge, a Boston based news site for the gay community reports that a man in Lagos was attacked and killed by a gang claiming “they were ‘cleansing’ Lagos of homosexuals” (Edge 17 April 2008). So also the death of Innua Yakubu, a student of the Government College, Jigawa in 2002 was premised on the basis of him being gay by his classmates.

In September 2008, members of the House of Rainbow, Metropolitan Community Church, a gay-friendly church based in Lagos were harassed by the public and police. This harassment began when national dailies published personal information about church members and the Pastor. The safety of the Pastor, Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay was at risk, making him flee the country in which he grew up. These examples violate the Right to the Dignity of the Human Person, The Right to Freedom from Discrimination and The Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association, which are guaranteed in the constitution. On the 12th of April 2010, my friend and I were attacked as we walked down the neighbourhood in the evening. Since this incident I have been careful of the places I go when evening falls within my own community. Countless examples abound in the country on violence and hate crimes committed on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity with impunity.

The provisions in the Penal and Criminal Code allows for the rampant abuse of the rights of sexual minorities. It has been the breeding ground for all kinds of assault, abuse and violence that sexual minorities face. From discrimination by state actors and non-state actors to family and societal rejection, sexual minorities will remains victims of homophobia and other forms of abuses, if the laws remain unchanged and nothing is done when peoples’ rights are violated on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Nigeria’s signatory to international treaties and covenants that protect from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity must reflect in the nation’s application of the rule of law and the principles of freedom. Fundamental human rights that are accorded to everyone in the constitution must not be in conflict with other laws of the land which fuels discrimination and violence. The constitution remains the guiding document for us all in Nigeria, and its contents under Chapter IV must be respected and made to take full force, such that violation of human rights on whatever grounds becomes a criminal offence. Hence, these laws need be reviewed, repealed or amended. This is the first step in ridding our society of intolerance and hatred based on perceived or real sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexuality is not a dark part of man’s life that must be shrouded in secrecy. But is a rare gift of life from the creator that must be expressed lovingly. No one should suffer abuse and violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The law should aid in helping members of the society respect one another’s sexuality.

As a country we do not need a religiously ordered society but a spiritually ordered mind that will propel us to love our neighbors as ourselves irrespective of our civil, political, religious and sexual differences. This in turn will transpire out into the socially ordered Nigerian society that we all yearn for. We must re-orientate ourselves from a ‘thing-centered’ perspective to ‘person-oriented’ perspective. Archbishop Desmond Tutu captures it all: Sexual orientation, like skin color, is another feature of our diversity as a human family. Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people? Does God love his dark- or his light-skinned children less? The brave more than the timid? And do any of us know the mind of God so well that we can decide for him who is included, and who is excluded, from the circle of his love? My rights affects and is linked with your rights too.

Our own, Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka, who with other distinguished African writer have condemned the wave of hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity sweeping across Africa: We wish to state emphatically that homosexuality is neither a sin nor a social or cultural construct. It is a biological given. Homosexuals are human beings like everybody else. Scientific research has been helpful in clearing the fog of ignorance entrenched by some religious texts in regards to homosexuality. Our opinions of same sex oriented persons must change for the better just as our opinion of slavery has changed even though it was endorsed by those same religious texts. All violence against gays and people deemed to be gay in Africa must cease forthwith.

Today we call on every citizen to abide by the principle of ‘love your neighbour as yourself’f and not love your neighbour as yourself unless he/she is gay. As the most populous nation in Africa and in our self-acclamation as the giant of Africa, we should lead the way in the respect for the rule of law and principles of freedom. As a country wanting to be among the 20 most developed nation by the year 2020, we cannot afford not to protect the rights of everyone. The protection of these rights would result in an enabling environment for the development of the individual and the nation holistically. Our nation should be known as a land in which the diversity of the human family is appreciated, respected and recognized.

We also call on African governments to learn from the South African example by expunging from their laws all provisions that criminalize homosexuality or treat persons with these orientation as unworthy of the same rights and entitlements as other citizens. African states must protect the rights of their citizens to freedom and dignity. People must not be denied these rights on the basis on who they attracted to.

Today we call on all African governments, especially governments of sub-Saharan African countries to:

• Decriminalize homosexuality and repeal all forms of discriminatory laws that impede the growth of every individual

• Legislate to criminalize violence and human rights abuse on the basis of perceived or real sexual orientation and gender identity

• Uphold the fundamental human rights of their citizens, most especially sexual minorities

Let us appreciate the diversity that is present in our different societies and countries, of which sexual diversity is part. We are all unique and different. It is this uniqueness and difference that completes our humanity. Let us display the spirit of humanity towards each other.

As we use today to call and clamor for the respect and recognition of sexual minorities’ and a climate of tolerances, we urge our governments, legislators and policy makers to look back, reflect and repeal laws that deny citizens their fundamental rights and make them objects of violence and abuse in their respective communities. We look forward to the day that our rights as sexual minorities shall be upheld and protected constitutionally in Nigeria and across the sub-region region.

God Bless Nigeria and Long Live Africa.

ACTIVISTS DISSCUSS SAME SEX ISSUES IN AFRICA –ASSGD CONFERENCE

The first ever African Same Sex Sexualities and Gender Diversity (ASSGD) conference came to an end on Wednesday, 16 February with a media conference aimed at tabling major outcomes of the conference.Touching on various topics, the conference intended to “identify and celebrate indigenous and evolving male and female same-sex sexual practices, identities and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, including expressions of gender diversity, and to promote their social acceptance and their physical and social well-being.”
This conference, a first of its kind saw over 80 gay rights activists, human rights defenders and scholars from 20 African countries descending to Pretoria’s Faircity Roodevallei Conference and Meeting hotel from 13-16 February.
“The conference was quite diverse in that it brought together academics and activists, a first press conference of its kind that brings a whole range of people together in a very focused way to look at what we know also giving us knowledge about the continent on issues relating to male and female same sex sexual practices in Sub-Saharan Africa” Professor Vasu Reddy of Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said.
“It was not just a conference where people presented papers on ideas and research but it was also a conference that showed a visual dimension through portraits of transgender activists largely and photographs of experiences from Malawi”, He added.
Linda Bouman, Director of Outright Namibia said, “what I think was significant about this space, was that it brought about research that has been done over the continent that has never been known by people and those strategies that have been shared in terms of how the interventions around the research findings have gone around and how other countries can learn from those lessons and implement in their countries.”
The conference further aimed to “explore how social and structural factors affect the well-being and health of persons engaging in same-sex sexual practices and identify ways of reducing vulnerability.”

This is why on the second day of the conference participants heard stories about blackmail and extortion of LGBTI persons from Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria, followed by an educational discussion about blackmail.

It was also revealed that activists still face harassment death due to criminalization of same sex practices making it difficult for LGBTI people to access services.

It was further revealed that several initiatives have been implemented that reach out to MSM, but these initiatives are not enough hence it was agreed that educating and training health care workers to deliver unbiased services is needed.

“One of the speakers expected to be here was David Kato. He was on the list as a guest speaker and we kept his name on the programme, we had a very moving moment of silence when his presentation was due to take place and in the evening we had a tribute for him”, said Theo Sandfort of Columbia University.

Participating Organisations included African Men for Sexual Health and Rights, Behind the Mask, Human Science Research Council amongst others.

MALAWI EXPANDS LAWS ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Malawi's parliament passed a bill criminalising sex between two women and it now goes to President Bingu wa Mutharika for his signature. Malawi's penal code currently prohibits sex between two men and the law was applied in the case of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza who were sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour for celebrating their love with a traditional same-sex ceremony. The couple were pardoned by President Bingu wa Muthairka on May 30th. The expansion of the law criminalising homosexuality has drawn condemnation from the Association for Secular Humanism in Malawi and the German government, the Nyasa Times reports.

The Malawian parliament has passed a bill proposed by the Government to criminalize homosexuality between women which has attracted criticism from Association for Secular Humanism in Malawi and German government.

Unlike homosexual relations between men, female homosexuality was not previously contained in the penal code. The bill was introduced as a bid to ensure greater equality between men and women.

Markus Löning, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy, said in a statement in reaction to the law: “The German Government sees the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality as a core human rights concern. In this regard, the criminalization of female homosexuality in Malawi is a serious setback.

“I urge President Mutharika of Malawi not to sign this legislation and instead to honour his declared commitment to work for the decriminalization of homosexuality in his country.”

The Association for Secular Humanism in Malawi  through its Executive Director George Thindwa said in a statement that Attorney General Dr. Jane Assah should resign because of conflict interest as she is a Bishop of a Pentecostal Christian Church a development that is inconsistent with her role as an impartial advisor to government on legal matters.

“We are concerned that her extreme religious beliefs and personal moral code may be a cause for bias in the general application of constitutional human rights in respect of homosexuals. She should recuse herself from giving official opinions or representing Malawi on such issues,”  reads the statement made available to Nyasa Times.

Secular Humanism said criminalization of homosexuals is a retrogressive and unconstitutional move as “the private behaviour of consenting adults that does no harm to another is no legitimate concern of the state”.

”Individual’s or group’s perception of what is repulsive, likewise, has no place in our laws. Knowledge changes with time. Current scientific knowledge as to the causes of homosexuality clearly shows that it is genetic or that it occurs in the womb,” said the statement.

It adds: “While it is not the normal natural state it is, in fact, a natural state. Homosexuals have no choice as to sexuality. Homosexuality may be considered as a third sex. There should be no criminalisation of a condition that is natural.”.

The association ‘observes that “there are many Malawian homosexuals who have never had any contact with westerners or so-called ‘homosexual culture’.”.

The association urges President Bingu wa Mutharika to “ withhold consent to the Bill”.

Attorney General Dr. Jane Assah recently appeared before the UN Human Rights Council for Malawi's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland where she defended Malawi's treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

After negotiating the release of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had asked Members of Parliament to update laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation to reflect international standards.

LGBTI NIGERIA SAY HAPPY GOLDEN JUBILEE

It is with great nostalgia that I Rashidi Williams on behalf of the Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community in Nigeria congratulates Nigeria on 50years of nationhood. The LGBTI community together with all Nigeria this day say a big thank you our founding fathers for the non relentless struggle for independence from our colonial masters - the British.
Today marks the beginning of another phase/journey in the history of our great country. Nigeria remains a great country of good people in the midst of diversity. We remain united in the midst of all our troubles from the civil wars in the 1960s, the Boko Haram insurgence, the Jos Crisis amongst many other national challenge that our country is bedeviled with. Our unity as a nation keeps going from strength to strength. Who do we say the thank you to – the British who by an Act of their Parliament declared us a independent nation this day in 1960 or our hero of independence who fought so that Nigeria may be what she was destined to be .
While this is time that we all must celebrate as a nation and as individual citizens of this great nation, it is also a time when we as a nation and as individuals also engage in reflective thinking as to what each one of us can do to make Nigeria the country of our dreams – a land flowing with milk and honey. I deed there is already milk and honey flowing in all directions. Th question is where is the Leadership that will propel us out as a nation with great potentials even than the so called super power of the world at present.The time has come for Nigeria to arise from its slumber as we move into another era of nationhood.
The time for Nigeria to show unprecedented leadership in the affairs of the Africa and the World is no other time but now. Now is the day of the great challenge of leadership looking straight into the face of every Nigeria and awaiting right opportunity for us grab it and use it(positive leadership) to propel Nigeria forward. It is especially calling on all political office seekers who wants to rulke Nigeria in the next dispensation.
The LGBTI community in Nigeria cannot wait for that time when the culture that values openness and shuns impunity and the violation of fundamental human rights principles and standards. A time when Nigeria can say to all its citizens that equality before the law is for all Nigerians irrespective of status(sexual orientation). A time when the LGBTI will be given the opportunity to showcase to the rest of Nigeria the potential that is in us as individuals and communities. The LGBTI community wishes to state in clearly that Freedom , the respect for human rights and the rule are essentaility to the socio-economic development of our country. Developing Nigeria means building and developing the capacity of each individual citizens to contribute to national development. This cannot be done in fear – fear that our own very lives are at stake in our own country with legislation/laws that discriminates against us as human beings and as Nigerian citizens.We believe that the next political administration/dispensation will do what it takes to ratify the International Human Rights treaties/conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory locally.
As we go into the last quarter of the year and also approach an election year in a festive mood, the LGBTI community in Nigeria calls upon all aspiring political office seekers to conduct their electioneering void of violence but rather concentrate on winning the hearts of Nigeria as to what they will do if the mantle of leading the giant of Africa falls on their shoulders. The LGBTI community supports the one man one vote initiative and urges the Independent National Electoral Commission to repeat the June 1993 history.
Happy 50th Independence Anniversary.
Long Live Nigeria!
Long Live Africa!

Lesbian Pride in Soweto..................

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Lesbian Pride on Full Display in Soweto
Lesbians marched through the streets of the Soweto township in South Africa for Soweto Pride Day in an environment where they are often victims of sexual violence, IOLNews reports.

Thousands of black lesbians were due to take to the streets of Soweto today to celebrate their sexuality and humanity at the annual Soweto Pride Day.

Soweto Pride, which was initiated in 2004 by the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), aims to promote tolerance of sexual diversity in the township.

The event will also commemorate and honour Soweto’s fallen victims and survivors of crimes motivated by prejudice – including migrants facing xenophobic violence and other minority groups that are stigmatised and discriminated against.

Soweto Pride is held every year on the Saturday closest to Heritage Day, and includes a lively protest march from the streets of Zone Two Meadowlands and through the residential and business areas of Soweto.

A political programme at the end-point is followed by a cultural programme to celebrate the struggles and victories of black lesbians, as the broader women’s movement and as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Community, religious and political leaders have been invited to denounce hate crimes in their speeches at the event. These were to be followed by various activities, including an exhibition and voluntary counselling and testing.

Soweto Pride is also an occasion for the lesbian community to continue to create a political and social space for its visibility and to amplify its voice.

According to FEW’s programme co-ordinator, Phindi Malaza, the event is an opportunity for the broader community to express its solidarity and support of lesbians.

“The goal of Soweto Pride is to ensure that lesbians residing in the township no longer fall victim to homophobic attacks or any other crime. We want lesbians to feel safe and protected during this day and beyond,” says Malaza.

UPR Kenya United Nations Human Right Council Geneva

UPR Kenya United Nations Human Right Council Geneva

15th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – Statement by
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD)

Mr. President,

ACPD with Minority Women in Action, the Coalition of African Lesbians and Pan Africa ILGA, wishes to stress the following points in relation to the Universal Periodic Review of Kenya:

We welcome the State’s support on various recommendations including the promise to review national laws to fully uphold the principle of non-discrimination, eradicate the use of torture and ill-treatment by public officials and take effective measures to safeguard the work of human rights defenders. We also recall the State’s ratification of various international and regional human rights instruments including the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the rights of women in Africa.

However, we express disappointment that the Kenyan government has rejected recommendations to take measures to provide for the protection and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. The criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct encoded in Sections 162 and 165 of the Penal Code fuels stigma, discrimination and violence against sexual minorities. Human rights are universal, inalienable and inherent. These principles apply to all citizens of Kenya including lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Kenyans.

The importance of human rights was emphasized by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in a high-level panel at the current session of the Human Rights Council who said:

“No doubt deeply rooted cultural sensitivities can be aroused when we talk about sexual orientation. Social attitudes run deep and take time to change. But cultural considerations should not stand in the way of basic human rights.”

LGBTI Kenyans are repeatedly discriminated against and continue to face threats and violence as well as torture, ill-treatment and harassment at the hands of public authorities simply because of who we are and who we love. We regret the silence of the State in the face of these violations, such as in the highly publicized attach on 12 February, 2010 in Mtwapa targeting homosexual individuals that saw organized physical violence, life threats and hate speech.

In this dawn of a new constitutional dispensation, we urge the State of Kenya to seize this moment and respect, protect and fulfill the rights of all Kenyans including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Our rights, the rights of LGBTI people, are human rights.

MCROBE KILLING GEL FOR USE DURING VAGIANL INTERCOURSE

A microbe-killing gel for use during vaginal sex developed by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) has been praised by experts at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna as a breakthrough that may lead to similar products being developed for use during anal sex.

The gel contains 1 percent of the antiretroviral drug Tenofovir and was found to reduce a woman’s risk of being infected with HIV during vaginal intercourse by 39 percent, as well as being 51 percent effective in reducing her risk of catching genital herpes.

The more the women in the trial used the gel, the greater the protective effect, with women who used it in 80 percent of sex acts more than halving their chances of becoming infected with HIV.

The results were cheered by members of the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) group, a network of people trying to develop an effective anal microbicide for use in combating HIV.

“The positive results from the CAPRISA 004 study represent a very significant milestone in HIV prevention research and they increase optimism that we can develop safe and effective antiretroviral rectal microbicides,” IRMA’s scientific vice-chair Dr Ian McGowan said.

Dr McGowan said anal intercourse was a common human sexual behaviour, practised by up to 10 percent of the world’s population, including both heterosexuals and men who have sex with men.

“As with vaginal microbicides, safe and effective rectal microbicides are urgently needed by millions of people,” he said.

Unprotected anal intercourse is said to be 10 to 20 times more likely to result in HIV transmission compared to unprotected vaginal intercourse, because of the thin and porous nature of the rectal lining.

IRMA chair Jim Pickett said internationally, gay men and others who practised anal intercourse had been largely ignored.

“There is a paucity of data regarding anal intercourse, homosexual and heterosexual, due to politics, stigma, criminalisation, and outright denial,” he said.