Saturday 31 December 2011

Mother Nature, My Explosive Lover!

Mother Nature
Beautiful you are
You smile and I waver
You kiss and I quiver
Aroused by your touch
Fed by your smooch
Melting my heart
Twisting my feelings
Swinging my being
With your seduction
Warm in the embrace
Of your blazing love

Your magical fingers
The waves conjures
Your tsunamic orgasm
Blows high and mighty
Many cry and scream
As you explode in cum
Your volcanic temper
Leaves me high and dry
In the grip of your love
I gasp for breath
How long shall I drown
In your magical prowess
Making love drenched
Like there is no tomorrow

Oh your anger
I cannot bear
You huff and puff
And the roof goes off
You blow hot and cold
And up it all goes in flames
You bat your seismic eyelashes
And everywhere floods
You shake your bounty
And the earth quakes
With your waves
The wind bows
You move a disc
And everything falls
Licking at your walls

Is it vanity that gives you airs
To sail on howling hairs
Do you seek attention
Or is it my provocation
That gets you in a hoot
For I am guilty too
Bombs I blow
Tear gas I howl
Carbonized air I emit
To get you to submit
Blame it on my human nature
To plough, prod and tear apart
But you my love
I thought are above
My human frailties
In all your subtleties

Lovesick I worship
At your holy shrine
In awe of your majesty
I marvel at your beauty
But now you come wheezing
With many screaming
Sorrows, tears and blood
You leave flowing
In the wake of your howling

Do you in sadistic pleasure gloat
Seeing the disaster you float
Or are these disasters
A harrowing cry for help
Do you cower in the dark
Hoping for a hug
You I cannot but bug
Amidst the floating bodies
Do you hear the screams
Of your helpless victims
Children, old and young
Barely hanging on
Do you flinch?
As they cling?

I preach acceptance
My wish is tolerance
I accept diversity
As life's necessity
But how long shall I bear
The brunt of your anger
Or is it just who you are

Oh mother nature, my love
With your tears you let me know
You are neither a God nor a Goddess
But like me, just a mere creation
You and I are not perfect
My human caprice we will capture
Your wild nature we will nurture
I tame mine, we tame yours
You and I babe
Can be together
A lifetime longer.
By © Yemisi Ilesanmi, 14 March, 2011

Thursday 29 December 2011

Debunking the myths: Is majority support of ‘Anti Same Sex Marriage’ bill a democratic license to discriminate against sexual minorities?

"Minority can have their say but majority will have their way" is the new anthem of majority homophobic members of the supposedly enlightened Nigerian community on the issue of the draconian 'Anti Same Sex Marriage' bill. The mere thought that some supposedly enlightened people still think a majority has the right to have its way at the expense of the human right of a minority is really worrying; what enlightened mind would even support such a proposition in this time and age?

Many Nigerians eagerly confuse democracy with majority rule, what a shame and how sad for my beloved motherland! Good old Wikipedia comes to the rescue with some facts about democracy; note the difference between Democracy and Majority Rule. 
 
Going by this 'ill-perceived' concept of democracy as "minority having their say and majority having their way", I guess the scenarios below would be deemed democratic:-
  • Muslims in Nigeria, who according to the census are in the majority, could vote for an Islamic Nigeria. "Yeah, we Muslims now vote for the adoption of Islam as the official religion in Nigeria, the majority 'Yays' now have it. Gbam!  All hail the Federal Republic of Islamic Nigeria!"
  • The majority physically abled Nigerians could democratically vote for the gassing of the minority  Nigerians living with disability. It's all about majority votes!
  • The majority poor masses could democratically vote to behead the minority rich. Now, that is something to consider; 99% vs. the 1%!
  • The majority heterosexuals should just democratically vote to put the minority homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals in prison. Oh, wait a minute; they are already doing just that and worse, they can even stone them to death!
 Well, I hope you enjoy your majority rule, what a laugh! Still wonder why civilized people always ditch majority rule for true Democracy?

It is funny how many people are quick to point out that even USA does not fully recognized equal rights for gays and lesbians. Guess what? Even USA does not have the perfect democracy! What does USA and Somalia have in common right now? Well, it is the shameful fact that, of all the members of the United Nations, only USA and Somalia have not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As it is, the majority are holding back the ratification in USA based on religious beliefs and ignorant reasons against the treaty. Indeed, there is a strong danger to humanity when the majority holds power and same majority are religious bigots.

 It is an established fact that ALL HUMAN BEINGS HAVE INALIENABLE RIGHTS, these rights cannot be taken away from the minority by the majority. The question really goes beyond the elementary “What is majority rule”? It moves towards a deeper debate on “Do we accept majority rule or do we have a duty to protect the rights of the minority even when we are not in the minority?”. 

This debate had already been settled at the UN roundtable in 1948 when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, but again, Nigeria is always lagging behind, but better late than never! Welcome to the 21st century, the age where Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. This type of freedom, which is connected to human or the capacity to begin anew, sees democracy as "not only a political system… [but] an ideal, an aspiration, really, intimately connected to and dependent upon a picture of what it is to be human—of what it is a human should be to be fully human. Welcome to the humane world, if you don't like it, you are free to retreat back into the cave; NO, you can’t drag us into the cave with you!

ARE LGBTs FORCING A MINORITY IDEA ON THE MAJORITY?
Many self righteous, indignant homophobes lament that the minority LGBT community in Nigeria and  international LGBT allies are forcing ideas down the throat of the majority homophobic Nigerians. Well, let us not forget that it is a group of lawmakers, in conjunction with clergymen and religiously influenced majority that are forcing their religious beliefs down the throat of an oppressed minority; in fact they want to put that minority in jail for 14 years and LGBT rights supporters behind bars for 10 years and in fat some are glad to just stone Homosexuals, Bisexuals and Trans. How barbaric, talk about the Stone Age!

I find it really ridiculous how some Nigerians are quick to scream "If you don’t like the laws of Nigeria, then stay away from the country, there is no two ways around it". Well dear, as it happens there are more than two ways around it. It is my country; I am not leaving it for nincompoops to destroy.

When homophobes suggest that Nigerian lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals should leave the country and seek asylum abroad if not comfortable with the votes of the majority, I just wonder at the state of their sanity! So, every oppressed person should go and queue up at the British or USA embassy, waiting for asylum visa? And who says Britain or America has the duty to grant every asylum seeker a visa or refugee status? Are you advocating that people should turned refugees and asylum seekers because of discriminatory, oppressive, religious rules in their country? What about fighting for equal rights for all citizens and freedom from discrimination? Some brave ancestors fought for freedom from slavery, some fought for an independent Nigeria, some of us fought for our rights to vote and yes, I inhaled enough teargas and was hauled to various police detention centers, in an attempt to get the military out of power and make way for a democratic country. Do you think ignorant, religious fanatics are going to chase me away from my country now? You thought wrong, dear! I am going to tell the lots of you where to stick your religious bigotry, just take it out of my bedroom and the federal constitution I so dearly fought for!

I have no problem if anyone believes in a God, worship a blue eyed blonde on a cross, make sacrifice in a shrine or believe snakes are gods; it is simply not my headache. However, it becomes my business when people use their religious beliefs to stand in the way of my freedom and obstruct access to my inalienable rights. The fact that majority of Nigerians believe in the tenets of religion and the "sinful" nature of homosexuality does not mean I am duty bound to follow the majority belief. If majority Nigerians who are Muslims decided that Nigeria should be an Islamic State, would the majority vote make it a right and fair decision?  Would that not be a breach of the human right to Freedom of Religion? Would the minority be right in opposing this majority vote or would you say the majority has spoken and that is final, especially if you are a Christian?

It is easy to use the majority trump card when you are not personally affected, but a revolutionary activist knows that it is not only when you are affected that you demand a change, but also whenever an injustice is perpetrated. Justice is not about popularity, it is a fight for a JUST cause, whether by majority or minority! 






Is silence a meaningful tactic of Nigerian socialists?
It is indeed saddening and unfortunate that many Nigerian Progressives are not out supporting the oppressed Nigerian Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals. Many self professed Nigerian “left” in defense of their non support of LGBT rights often claimed that it is not a majority struggle. Well, majority of Nigerians do not believe in socialism or communism, they would rather have capitalism or a reformist version of capitalism but does that stop the minority socialist left from clamoring for a socialist state in Nigeria? NO, it has not, so why is it an excuse to not fight for LGBT rights?

While socialism is not an inalienable human right but an ideal some of us strive for, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and transsexuals’ rights are already INALIENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS.  LGBTs are Humans and already have these inalienable rights! The problem is, because of RELIGION, IGNORANCE and INTOLERANCE of diversity, those in the majority want to take away these rights from lesbians and gays in Nigeria. We are saying Lesbians and Gays are not sub citizens, we are not sub human, therefore no one should deny us our inalienable rights. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans do not gather to debate and vote on the right of heterosexuals to marry another consenting adult, why assume heterosexuals have the right to debate on marriage right of sexual and gender minorities?

Sometimes I find it difficult to differentiate between religious fanatics quoting their holy books and some Nigerian socialists quoting and most often misquoting and misinterpreting Karl Marx. I am indeed relieved to have met other socialists around the world who understand what it really is to be socialist and the tenets of socialism.

Socialism is not just about overthrowing capitalism but about creating a better, equitable and fair world for all to have equal access to resources which most definitely include equal right to life, freedom from discrimination and freedom of association. If we do not share the same vision for a world free of oppression, where equality reigns supreme, then we do not share the same vision of a socialist world.

Unfortunately, it seems that some Nigerian "true Marxists" need the support of the majority so much that the oppression of the minority does not matter. To those 'Marxists', the minority are dispensable, sacrificial lamb in their vision to rule the world with their scripted Marxism. They lament," if majority is not supporting LGBT rights, it is not worth fighting and dividing the majority for”, and of course they prefer to sacrifice the minority gays and lesbians just so they could dine with the majority.

What I see is not a tactic but probably conscious inaction. Frantz Fanon said ‘Every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor’ and as Desmond tutu also said “When you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressors.” Which side is the majority of Nigerian Left/Progressives on?   


Seek the sympathy of the majority?
Vocal Gay rights advocates are often told to seek the sympathy of the majority rather than demand for their rights. Well, ‘Sympathy’ is not the word, ‘RECOGNITION’ is!

Rights are not gained based on sympathy; hardly is power relinquished voluntarily. People always had to fight for control of power, in this case the majority holds the power, and many have chosen to use it tyrannically against the minority, sympathy is not what would take that power away!  We must appeal to logic, protest and take a stand to demand recognition and enforcement of the recognized law that all human beings are born equal in rights and dignity, this is what would give us the recognition we deserve and that itself is a revolution. Yes, a minority can carry out a revolution; a struggle against oppression is in itself a revolution whether supported by the majority or carried out by the minority.

Funny how some Nigerian socialists now conveniently say ‘Genuine human right can only be assured to man only when capitalism is overthrown and socialist society is established." I remember how many human rights activists, student activists, left progressives and yes socialists marched and demanded at various times in the history of Nigeria for the Right to Education, opposed hike in school fees, protest for the right to vote in a capitalist state, demand freedom of Association and Freedom of Expression; how come the idea of "Let us first have a Socialist state before demanding for these rights did not occur then?" Is it just a case of “Minorities are the ones affected now, we can afford to ignore them in our pursuit of a socialist state"?
 
The goal of socialism is not about overthrowing Capitalism, it is about building an egalitarian society, overthrowing capitalism or any other existing oppressive system is only a MEANS to an END. You can overthrow capitalism and still not have an egalitarian society. I stand for an egalitarian society, which in my opinion is best achieved through a socialist state, obviously some Nigerian socialist just stand for an overthrow of capitalism, without any interest in egalitarianism. Equal rights are not equal until everyone has equal rights whether in a Freudian, Capitalist or Socialist state.When the government's boot is on your throat, whether it is a Left boot or a Right, is of no consequence!

Fuel subsidy removal: An excuse not to fight for LGBT rights?
LGBT rights are rights, not just any rights but CORE HUMAN RIGHTS. No core human right should be above or below the other. The anti fuel subsidy removal fight is a fight against further impoverishment of the people. ‘The people’ encompasses all sexual orientations.

Let no one make no mistake about it, there will be lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals marching in the rallies against fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. The big question is, would LGBTs and allies be allowed to hold banners that read ‘NO TO ANTI SAME SEX MARRIAGE BILL’ during fuel subsidy removal protests? If I was in Nigeria, I definitely would be part of such protests; however one side of my protest banner or T-shirt would read ‘SAY NO TO FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL’, while the other reads ‘SAY NO TO ANTI SAME SEX BILL’. Would my safety be assured in that mass protest? Would some ‘comrades’ demand my SILENCE on the anti same sex bill on the pretext that it is a fuel subsidy removal protest and not an anti gay bill protest?

As an activist,  I have marched alongside people with differing views; I have protested alongside avowed Christians who carry placards that reads “Proudly Christian, Proudly gay”, I didn't scream “NO I’m an atheist and all religion is oppression therefore you cannot march in a protest I am organising!”.

Some oppression unites us all especially economic oppression of the masses however violation of human rights of ANY ONE should unite all progressives. LGBT rights advocates are not saying our demands be prioritized above the fight against economic hardship, we are demanding that our human rights as LGBT be not SUBSUMED or DISMISSED. The Nigerian Progressives silence and disregard for the right of Nigerian sexual minorities is very 'unprogressive'; it is retrogressive! It is however a silence that must be broken and a truth that must be told.

It is disheartening that many Nigerian Left/Progressives are trying to paint this fight for LGBT right as a diversionary tactic meant to take attention away from ‘pressing’ economic problems in Nigeria. 

I am an Atheist but if there was a bill in the National Assembly propagating that Christians or Muslims be put in jail for 14 years for practicing their religion, I would be at the forefront of a campaign to oppose this flagrant violation of human rights and our constitution, but so also would many so called Socialists because that would be a majority struggle. However, I wouldn't be opposing the bill because it is a majority struggle but because it would be a violation of human right. It matters not the quantity of people involved, an injury to one is an injury to all.

I hope we all take the important step forward to be all inclusive in our fight against all forms of discrimination and oppression. I find it totally disappointing that many Nigerian "socialists" cannot understand that this is a human right issue, and therefore paramount. It does not stop anyone from fighting fuel subsidy removal or asking for workers rights, afterall many Lesbians and gays would be the first to have their workers’ rights violated because of their sexual orientation. Let us stand up for LGBT rights as human rights, it does not make you less a socialist but more of a respecter of equality; a major tenet of socialism.

Some Nigerian Socialists  once said, “ Nigeria  has economic problems , we can't avoid to demand for equal rights for women now”, these excuses were used by some people touting themselves as socialists some few years ago when gender rights and affirmative action was put on the progressives’ agenda in Nigeria. Now I see same people using same excuse to justify the oppression of a minority. “Violations of human rights of lesbians and gays are not as important as economic development for the majority!”.

Let us understand that we are all HUMANS first before any other tag whether Man, Woman, Heterosexual, Homosexual, Socialist, Capitalist, Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Rich, Poor, Bourgeoisie or Proletariat. If you have no respect for inalienable human rights, you got no business touting deluded economic package for all especially since your economic package excludes lesbians and gays, or didn’t you know that with this bill, homosexuals do not even have the right to life, shelter or even right to work and earn a living?

Tell me, if your right to marry, raise a family and freedom from discrimination at work are all taken away, would you not be on the street protesting? well if you said yes, you would not protest, then I might consider not fighting for these rights for myself and the oppressed minority in Nigeria, but truth be told, whether any other person accepts oppression as normal, that won’t stop me from fighting against any form of discrimination whether it comes from the majority or minority, from the 99% or the 1%, oppression is oppression, no other name for it and all oppression must be opposed!

Self imposed ignorance, bullying and creating awareness
The new tag for vocal gay rights activists in Nigeria is Bullies! Well, some of us are now called bullies for demanding our human rights! Hmm…I am a bully because I am not crawling to the majority to beg for my right? How ridiculous!

Many Nigerians had never even heard the word SEXUAL ORIENTATION or BISEXUALITY before this bill came up, pointing people to scientific body of knowledge, research and evidence on these issues does not make us a bully, we are sharing information and knowledge, not bullying you!

Anyone could be ignorant about a particular area or subject in life, for example, I hold a Masters of Law in Gender Sexuality and Human rights, I am not an expert in for instance, Maritime Law. I wouldn't think it is offensive or an insult if someone said I am ignorant on Genetics biology! It is a statement of fact, not an insult. I wonder why many Nigerians think being called "Ignorant" on something they are not knowledgeable on, is an insult?

Ignorance in some aspects of life and subjects is inevitable, but what is inexcusable is self imposed ignorance. When you are provided with evidence, superior logic and facts and you still chose to cling to your myopic opinion, now that is bigoted and self inflicted ignorance.

When you are presented with scientific evidence that Homosexuality is not a disease or a disorder and it is as natural as sex, skin colour, eye colour or left handedness, something you are born with but because of religious, personal or cultural beliefs, you still chose to ignore the evidence and still went ahead to demand that people be victimized and criminalized for their sexual orientation, that makes you an ignorant bigot and a bully!

Those of us who believe in EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL will keep on fighting for HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL; it does not matter whether we are a majority or a minority because LGBT RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS and that is the beauty of democracy, not your majority rule!

Related links-


Tuesday 27 December 2011

I am a Single Mother

I am a single mother
Proud like the other
I was a young mummy
Now wise and yummy
Yes I have a son
As bright as the sun
You say he needs a daddy
For him to be dandy
But I need no ring
To make me sing


I am a single mother
Sleek as the otter
I need no rows
To take the vows
I work and toil
But I don’t spoil
I spare the rod
But he is not rot
Sometimes I smack
Never leave a mark


I am a single mother
That is not a murder
So stop the blunders
Enough of your slanders
You need a man
Like your Nan
Soon you will sag
Funny how they nag
I really don’t know for what
Certainly not for my want!


I am a single mother
I am proud to utter
He has a father
Who is just farther
You should know
It takes Two
Not just a procreator
To be his creator
A baby a community can scold
It takes love a human to mould


I am a single mother
Stop your muttering
He is not a bastard
Don’t be so dastardly
He is not a furnace
For your social menace
He is not a barnacle
But a special miracle
Landing on your moon
To make you swoon


I am a single mummy
Both sexy and yummy
I can date, I will get a sitter
Don’t be late, I need no cheater
Just be ready
To go steady
No drinking late
That leaves you stale
Three is a number
That leaves me somber


I am a single mother
That can go yonder
I am proud to mutter
That I am no nutter
My son praises I sing
For he is a gift I bring
I need no wedding ring
Not even a big bling
Get out of your cove
For it is time to love

BY YEMISI ILESANMI 19 March, 2011

It is not called labour for nothing!


Ouch, what is that kick
That makes me sick
Breaking in sweat
Oh mine, I am wet
Is that mucous
Oh just focus!
It’s coming, go get the doctor
Stop looking at the buttocks
Tis no time for old wives tales
For I am in pains and already pale


I am coming, I am coming, you screamed
Keep pushing, keep pushing you now screech
Oh nurse, this hurts, please do something
It’s not yet time, she keeps snorting
Tis was sweet but now it’s a dilemma
Oh no try a push and a dilation
Those sweet contractions
Are now a contradiction
That leaves me frustrated
No longer besotted


Push, Push, you are all preaching
I am the one that is screeching
The baby must not come breeching
Oh what, I am bleeding!
Maybe I need an epidural
Or is this just procedural
Heavily I breathe
Now I seethe
Not cumming in ecstatic orgasms
But pushing a human organism


Oh, I see a head
Quick I need a lead
Oh nurses stop laughing
Maybe try fawning
This isn’t funny
 I don’t feel sunny
This is no botox
Where is the doctor
I might need a suture
To give me succour


Oh dear, here comes my baby
All wet, slippery and bubbly
Beautiful as the morning dew
You have come to pay your due
Ha, tis looking for the boobs
Ready to start the smooch
In my arms tis nestled
All ready to suckle
I am ready to nurture
I guess tis in my nature


Tis suckling, You are rustled
Dad is rippling but bristled
Those boobs are mine alone
On my terms I give and loan
I do all the labour
You get all the flavour
Never again will I be pushed
This was agony I am flushed
I need science of equality to share
Our baby together we should bear


Mommy is that my sibling
Oh no, I must be blinking
Can’t afford to miss my periods
Cos things can get too serious
Little bump and grind and the baby pops
Now all I have is a pushing tot that sobs
But then I should know
One, two, three years now
I can see a rounded tummy
Ready again to be a mommy!

 BY (c)YEMISI ILESANMI 22 MARCH, 2011

Friday 23 December 2011

TEARS ARE LIKE RAINDROPS


Just like waterfalls
Down my cheeks it falls
Like the wind it sails
Sometimes with a wail
It comes with a strain
Leaving me so drain
The frogs are croaking
But here I am soaking
It just won’t slow
So I go with the flow

My Tears flows like words
Not piercing like swords
It hits like a blow
Then gently it slows
Sometimes it comes straight
But that is not my trait
Teardrops merry and so gay
Tis their way of having a say
Cleansing away the rust
Leaving behind no dust

Tears cascading like showers
Like the rain romances the flowers
Tears flowing like dew
My heart feels so new
The flag is flying high
Now I can heave a sigh
Bright colours are shining
I am ready to go dining
Teardrops like raindrops
Leaves a beautiful Rainbow!

BY ©YEMISI ILESANMI  8 APRIL 2011

Saturday 17 December 2011

Debunking the myths: Is decriminalizing Homosexuality a slippery slope towards endorsing Pedophilia, Rape and Bestiality?


It seems no debate on human rights of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals is complete without the inevitable snide remark - “If homosexuals are entitled to human rights, rapists, pedophiles and people who sleep with animals will start claiming human rights violations too”!

Why do homophobes always feel the need to mention sex with animals when commenting on LGBT rights issues? How is Homosexuality and sex with animals, rape or pedophilia the same thing? Isn't it time people moved away from the unjustifiable, illogical sentiments and address real issues? Well, if only just to save me from making same comments over and over again, I have decided to write a post on my blog and just copy and paste whenever this is raised again and I am sure it would be raised again and again,  especially on my facebook page, at least a link to some clarifications should give my fingers a much needed respite!

Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The term is most often defined in criminal law. A person who commits an act of rape is known as a Rapist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAPE 

Sexual orientation i.e. Homosexuality, Bisexuality, Pansexuality, Asexuality or Gender identity has nothing to do with SEXUAL HARASSMENT. If anyone grabs your ass in public or even in private WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT, it does not matter whether the person is a man or a woman; it is sexual harassment and assault. Gender or Sexual Orientation is not what determined if you had been sexually harassed or molested, LACK OF CONSENT is the determining factor and it is a criminal offense to sexually, assault, harass or abuse anyone. So, what connection does a loving relationship between consenting adults have with RAPE? Read my lips, NONE!

Pedophilia
Pedophilia as a medical diagnosis is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents (persons age 16 or older) typically characterised by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children (generally age 13 years or younger, though onset of puberty may vary). In popular usage, pedophilia means any sexual interest in children or the act of child sexual abuse, often termed "pedophilic behavior." For example, The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary states, "Pedophilia is the act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophillia . What connection (if at all) do consenting same sex adults who want to live their lives together have with a pedophile ? Read my lips again, NONE!

BESTIALITY
 Masters (1962) uses the term "bestialist" specifically in his discussion of zoosadism, which refers to deriving sexual pleasure from cruelty to animals. Stephanie LaFarge, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the New Jersey Medical School, and Director of Counseling at the ASPCA, writes that two groups can be distinguished: bestialists, who rape or abuse animals, and zoophiles, who form an emotional and sexual attachment to animals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestiality. As Wiki puts it “Zoophilia ... is the practice of sex between humans and non-human animals (bestiality), or a preference or fixation on such practice. People who practice zoophilia are known as zoophiles.

There is a very big difference between same sex consensual relationship and bestiality. One is about emotional/sexual consensual human beings the other is about sex with animals. I know animals are not legal entities, they cannot give consent.  If you wanted to argue BESTIALITY is a sexual orientation, try and get scientific evidence to back up your claim, and oh… you would need to bring along the people around YOU that love having sex with animals, your friends who are planning to ask for sexual right to have sex with animals, because scientists would need them for the research, that is if that research had not already been done and concluded a long time ago.

Wake up homophobes, there really is a difference between consensual relationship with another adult and a sexual encounter with an animal. Why do you think it is possible to be charged to court for rape but not possible to be charged to court for raping an animal? This is simply because the determining factor in a rape case is consent; a human being can give or withhold consent, an animal cannot. Therefore having sex with an animal is known as animal abuse or BESTIALITY.
Discussions and debates on Homosexuality, Bisexuality and Transsexuals is about consensual adult human relationships, not about Human and Animals. If you wish to discuss BESTIALITY and ZOOPHILIA, why not start another thread on that, and we can argue the pros and cons logically? Right now, this post is about CONSENTING SAME SEX ADULT RELATIONSHIP, is that really too difficult to understand? (Yeah, this part is for the “what about bestiality” buggers on my facebook page!) 

SIMPLY NO COMPARISON!    
SEXUAL ORIENTATION describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organised researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation 
  • RAPE is the act of forcing someone into having sex without CONSENT; it is a sexual assault, in most cases a VIOLENT ACT.
  •    PEDOPHILIA is the act of having sexual intercourse with a child, an underage 
  •   BESTIALITY is the practice of sex between humans and non-human animals 
  •    SAME SEX relationships are emotional, sexual relationships between CONSENTING ADULTS of the same sex.
 How could any sane human being compare a violent, non consensual act that inflicts harm on its victim to consensual adult relationship? 
Does my having a relationship with another consenting female makes me a Rapist, Pedophile or Bestialist? How does my having sexual relationship with another woman causes you or the society any harm? 
Why is it so difficult for homophobes to accept that what consenting adults do in the privacy of their rooms is not the business of the law or any other individuals aside from the parties IN the relationship?

ARE HOMOSEXUALS AND BISEXUALS ASHAMED TO COME OUT?
With the stigmatisation, victimisation and discrimination of sexual minorities in the society, is it any surprise that many gays and lesbians are not eager to come out of the closet and shout their sexual preference from on top the mountains? The few Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals who attended the public hearing on the Anti Same Sex Marriage bill in Abuja, Nigeria were bullied, harassed and almost beaten up by religious groups right inside the National Assembly while the senators happily watched! Read full report here.

Also, history and experience have shown that a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Witch (WICCAN), Buddhist, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or any other marginalised persons would hide their identity if caught in an environment that would victimise them for their self identity. For example in a religious, race or ethnic war, likely victims would hide for safety, not because they think they are morally wrong but simply for survival.

Nigerian Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals are not in hiding because they are ashamed BUT because their life is in danger! I was an out and open bisexual while in Nigeria, but I could afford to be open because I was in the trade union movement, a National Executive Member of Labour party and an established human right activist. I know my rights, I have human resources to fight for my rights, not many lesbians and gays in Nigeria are that privileged!  

In some countries, laws are in place to help victims of discrimination, in many countries especially African countries; we do not have Equal Rights Acts or equality laws that protect sexual minorities. Also the legal cost is often too expensive for many to be able to challenge discrimination, and the court process can be very tedious. All these factors make it difficult for victims of discrimination to seek redress in a court of law and the perpetrators of these injustices are therefore empowered to keep on oppressing the helpless.

The Nigeria 'Anti Same Sex Marriage' bill only serves to drive people further into the closets. LGBTs in Nigeria are in hiding not because they think their sexual orientation is morally wrong but because they could lose their life. However, we should continue to fight for an enabling environment that would allow everyone enjoy their human rights as far as it harms no other person.


Mentally Challenged and a disorder?
How does being a proponent of same sex marriage make one "mentally challenged”? The fact that two consenting adults love themselves so much that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, legally married, is such an abhorrent thought for some people  that they consider proponents of same sex marriage "mentally challenged”. 

Who defines human sexuality? No one defines human sexuality, Scientists including, doctors, Psychologists, biologists and anthropologists usually conduct researches to understand human sexuality. It is the evidence of these researches that provides us a definition or better  UNDERSTANDING of human sexuality and that basically is how science works in almost all facets of life. 

There is personal reality and there is social reality. My reality is not necessarily the reality of others. For example, my personal reality is that I am bisexual; I am sexually attracted to both and/or All genders. The Social reality of my community is that my sexuality is criminalised. Homosexuality is a crime, this is an unfortunate social reality. Atheism is considered madness, which is another social reality. Does it mean social reality is the correct and acceptable reality?

REALITY only defines the state of things; it does not have anything to do with right or wrong.  I cannot run away from social realities but I can fight to demand a change in my social reality, just like SLAVERY was once the accepted social reality of blacks and other coloured people, this social reality has changed.

HETEROSEXUALITY IS ONLY COMMON NOT NORMAL!
 Heterosexuality is only common not normal. "NORMAL" implies the way things should be, since there are other types of sexual orientation like homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, asexuality, we cannot define one as normal without implying that other types of sexual orientation are abnormal. Also, what was once considered normal could later be considered abnormal, e.g. the killing of twins, slavery, belief in witchcraft, gods and female genital mutilation were all once considered normal, but with changing times, many of these are now considered ABNORMAL and some are going through critical lens views.

Heterosexuality is common NOT because it is normal, but because it is widely practiced, being widely practiced does not make it normal in the biological sense. In the cultural context, normal is fluid and could change with time.

Those who view two men holding hands or kissing in public as a pervert act need to emancipate themselves from mental slavery! The fact is, when same sex consenting adults are in a relationship, they exhibit the same traits when they are in love as heterosexual couples; it does not matter whether it is with same sex gender or opposite sex. You only see an imaginary difference because your brain is socially programmed to believe that only opposite sex partners should be in a sexual relationship. Until you break that shackle of limitation placed on your brain by societal expectation especially influenced by religion, you won’t be able to explore and reach your full potential as a human being.

If you are heterosexual, spare a minute to ask yourself what your reaction would be if:-
  •  You were told that you cannot hold hands with your lover in public
  •  You cannot marry the love of your life
  •  You would lose your job if you declared that you have an opposite sex partner 
  • You cannot form an organisation to support a man and woman relationship
  • You are banned from entering a club because of who you love
  • Your landlord could evict you if you were suspected of having  a relationship with an adult
  • You can be stoned to death if you have sex with your opposite sex partner.                                     Would you just shrug your shoulders and declare that there are more important things in life than the freedom to love and marry consensual adults or would you declare a war on your dictatorial government? Tell me these are not fundamental violations of your rights, then maybe I will consider keeping quiet about my Right to Life! 
 If after being confronted with the scientific evidence that Homosexuality is not a disease or a disorder and is infact as natural as skin colour,  eye colour or left handedness but for religious, personal or cultural beliefs, you still chose to ignore all the evidence provided and still demand  that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals be victimised and criminalised for engaging in a consensual same sex adult relationship that cause no harm to anyone, then you are the one who has a PHOBIA, it is known as Homophobia, it is a disorder. Education, enlightenment, an open mind, tolerance and acceptance are known cures, if all these failed, request for a brain transplant or just grow a brain!

CAN’T OR WON'T ACCEPT HOMOSEXUALS?
As an adult, I am sure you do not need anyone’s approval before you go on a date with your partner or marry the love of your life. It is also the same way homosexuals do not need your approval or consent to date or marry the love of their life. Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals have the same Human Rights every other adult human being has. Love should not be criminalised.

I might not like the girl you are dating, I might not like the way you have sex with her, I might not even like the way you two kiss in public, but IT IS NOT MY BUSINESS! I cannot stop your love, you do not need my approval and you do not need me to poke my nose in your bedroom affairs... just the same way I do not need you to dictate to me who I can or cannot love or marry. Respect is reciprocal. What consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom is not the business of the law.

People have a right to disagree and are also entitled to their opinion but NO ONE is entitled to his/her own sets of facts. We need FACTS to arrive at a logical conclusion. It is factual truths that should guide our beliefs and opinions, and the facts here are:-

  •           Anti same sex laws already exist in Nigeria and these laws are discriminatory, unjust and unfair
  •          The new bill aims to FURTHER criminalise same sex relationships
  •          The existing anti same sex laws and the new bill violates human rights of Lesbians, Gays , Bisexuals and Transsexuals in Nigeria
  •           Everyone, whether in the minority or in the majority, deserves full citizenship protection and respect of person and dignity without discrimination based on race, gender, birth or sexual orientation
  •          This bill should be OPPOSED by all human rights defenders because an injury to one is an injury to all.
  •           Oh please, do I still need to spell it out to you that Armed robbery, Rape, Pedophilia  and Bestiality are violent, non consensual actions that are harmful to the society? NO, these are not the same as homosexuality!   Now, repeat after me-  Homosexuality is not the same thing as Rape, Pedophilia or Bestiality. OK, Good!
 
Some Nigerians are Gays, GET OVER IT! Enjoy your life; just don't try to tell me how to live mine. Live and let’s live and stop Judging, stop quoting Sodom and Gomorrah to me, people do have a choice to choose whether to go to hell or heaven, if they believed that crap. So stop telling us we are going to burn in hell for our homosexuality because that only makes you a bigot and hateful person!

The fact is, every human being has the tendency to Love or Hate but it is wrong when we hate others simply because they come from a particular ethnic group, have a certain skin colour, hair colour, or because of their sexual orientation. We should learn to move beyond hate, open our mind, be objective, see things from different perspectives and come to conclusions that help move humanity forward not backwards.

We are a SINGLE human race, from one big African tree, with branches that have taken roots in different colours, shapes and sizes, spread across oceans and lands. Let us care about our planet, other earthlings, and every human, including Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals. We will continue to shine the light of positive reasoning and hope our light of love and knowledge would overshadow homophobic darkness.

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