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Nigeria gay activists speak out
BBC News, 11-3-2009
Nigerian gay rights activists have told the country's lawmakers that a new bill to outlaw same sex marriage would lead to widespread human rights abuses.
The new law would mean prison sentences for gay people who live together, and anyone who "aids and abets" them.
The plea by activists was made to a public committee of the National Assembly which is discussing the bill.
It is already illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria but the new law would extend police powers to arrest suspects.
"This bill is not necessary, we see no reason why people should be criminalised," Rashidi Williams, 23, of the Queer Alliance of Nigeria told the committee.
"I did not choose to be gay. It is trial enough to live in this country, we should not create more laws to make us suffer," he said.
'Fabric of society'
Under the new law anyone who has "entered into a same gender marriage contract" would be liable to be jailed for three years.
The bill defines a same sex marriage as gay people living together.
Anyone who "witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization" of a same gender marriage would face five years in prison, or a fine.
Activists said the law would make it easier for the police to arrest suspects, and criminalise anyone working in a human rights organisation that dealt with gay rights.
Church groups spoke in favour of the bill, saying that gay marriage risked "tearing the fabric of society".
"In the Bible it says homosexuals are criminals," Pius Akubo of the Daughters of Sarah church told lawmakers.
Activists say gay people in Nigeria face violence from their families and neighbours every day.
Two years ago, a woman went into hiding in the northern Kano State after reports that she had organised a wedding for four women - which she strongly denied.
Nigeria gay activists speak out
BBC News, 11-3-2009
Nigerian gay rights activists have told the country's lawmakers that a new bill to outlaw same sex marriage would lead to widespread human rights abuses.
The new law would mean prison sentences for gay people who live together, and anyone who "aids and abets" them.
The plea by activists was made to a public committee of the National Assembly which is discussing the bill.
It is already illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria but the new law would extend police powers to arrest suspects.
"This bill is not necessary, we see no reason why people should be criminalised," Rashidi Williams, 23, of the Queer Alliance of Nigeria told the committee.
"I did not choose to be gay. It is trial enough to live in this country, we should not create more laws to make us suffer," he said.
'Fabric of society'
Under the new law anyone who has "entered into a same gender marriage contract" would be liable to be jailed for three years.
The bill defines a same sex marriage as gay people living together.
Anyone who "witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization" of a same gender marriage would face five years in prison, or a fine.
Activists said the law would make it easier for the police to arrest suspects, and criminalise anyone working in a human rights organisation that dealt with gay rights.
Church groups spoke in favour of the bill, saying that gay marriage risked "tearing the fabric of society".
"In the Bible it says homosexuals are criminals," Pius Akubo of the Daughters of Sarah church told lawmakers.
Activists say gay people in Nigeria face violence from their families and neighbours every day.
Two years ago, a woman went into hiding in the northern Kano State after reports that she had organised a wedding for four women - which she strongly denied.
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