Comments on: Nigerian Human Rights Group Issues Call to Action

By: Alice Connor

Alice Connor — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:42:22 +0000

RE Jonathan above:
Yes, I’ve been reading about Nigeria and Uganda specifically for so long and it seems like there has to be something we can do. Maybe not, and I’m naive. Does anyone have thoughts on groups to donate to or people to write to?

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:05:47 +0000

The Gay Community and our leaders need to wake up on what is going on in Africa and other third world countries and its roots to American right-wing conservative envangical extremist involvement especially as related to the “Family.” American right-wing religious extremists Tea Party et al. have a direct hand in this rise in virulent hating homophobia spreading through Africa. Truth Wins Out has an interesting take on this issue. They are theorizing that American religious extremists related to the Family are not only exporting this homophobia, but are trying to basically surround the countries that are pro-gay (such as West European) and the US. In Russia they have been active as well. Just check out what is occuring in St. Petersberg, Russia. WE need to wake up to this huge threat to our existence before it is too late. WE have been too slow to respond to this. WE must get our government and other civilized governments around the world to force sanctions and political pressure on these corrupt regimes. Take away their funding if they persist. These right-wing American evangicals are at odds with American foreign policy. It is time to take this very seriously and starting showing the general populatons about these so called Christians.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:59:07 +0000

Anyone have any info on how we go about sending letters to these officials (addresses, etc.)?

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:58:15 +0000

I am not calling the members of the Nigerian legislature backwards, ignorant, illogical fools. However, I would point of that bills which criminalize actions that can only exist with governmental sanction are kafkaesque absurdities.

IF the Nigerian government is the institution that determines what is recognized as a marriage,

THEN it is impossible to enter into a same gender marriage or to help couples marry other than with the government’s approval; and

THEREFORE this bill can only punish those who have official government approval.

Alternately, if the church or community or other institution determines what is and what is not a marriage, then what the Nigerian government is doing is dictating religious rites and/or municipal codes.

And assuming that church/community establishes marriage, then it becomes even more absurd. Either the Nigerian federal government can annul or declare void such marriages (in which we return to the original paradox) or else the end result is that same sex couples can be legally married but may be jailed for the first 14 years of their marriage.

By: SharonB

SharonB — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:26:15 +0000

Scott Lively, Bryan Fischer, et al. must be positively green with envy.

Anyone hear how the schismatic Nigerian Episcopal Bishop Akinola officially stands on this bill? I am sure his hater-church flock here in the US are just be rapturous!