President Goodluck Jonathan pardoned a Rapist and Pedophile; Not a Homosexual!

The Premium Times headline of March 18, 2013, “Jonathan pardons homosexual rapist, triggering fresh controversy” smirks of ignorance and irresponsible journalism. President Goodluck Jonathan did not pardon a homosexual; he pardoned a RAPIST who is also a PEDOPHILE. Why do people keep confusing homosexuality with rape and pedophilia?

Homosexuality is CONSENSUAL ADULT same-sex relationship, what has that got to do with sex under duress with under aged, which the facts of Bello Magaji case showed?

Mr. Magaji, a former military police officer attached to the Lagos Garrison Command, was convicted for serial homosexual intercourse with four students of the Army Cantonment Boys Secondary School in Ojo Cantonment in Lagos.

Rape is the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse. There is nothing known as HOMOSEXUAL RAPE, Rape is rape, the gender of the perpetrator or victim has nothing to do with it. Gender or sexual orientation is not the factor that determines if you had been sexually harassed or molested; lack of consent is the decisive factor.

Sexual Orientation i.e. Homosexuality, Bisexuality, Pansexuality or Heterosexuality 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 heterosexual or homosexual; it is sexual harassment and assault. 

Pedophilia is the act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children. What connection (if at all) do consenting same-sex adults who want to live their lives together have with a pedophile? None whatsoever!

The facts of the case spoke of how Mr. Magaji intoxicated the young men, all from poor background, with alcohol, making them dizzy and then forcing them to have homosexual intercourse. He would then offer them token financial inducement to meet family obligations.

The Supreme Court report narrated, "The common evidence of Emmanuel and Joseph is that they were asked to drink a bottle each of small stout which intoxicated them; it was in their state of intoxication that the appellant performed the dirty act of sodomy on Emmanuel, and others" The Court report offers, in many of its lines, chilling narratives of Mr. Magaji as a sex pervert.” 

There is no heterosexual rape, homosexual rape or Bisexual rape, rape is rape. Why on earth would this be referred to as homosexual rape? Please let Nigerians educate themselves, in my book ‘Freedom To Love ForALL: Homosexuality is Not Un-African' (available on Amazon), I explained the difference between homosexuality, rape, pedophilia and bestiality. I’d recommend the book to every Nigerian. 

Also, Nigeria judiciary should wake up from its Stone Age approach to issues of sexual orientation. In 2008, the Supreme Court in their appeal ruling in the case of Mr Mogaji, characterized homosexuality as a “beastly, barbaric and bizarre offence.” A panel of five Justices lead by Justice Niki Tobi subsequently threw out the appeal of the former military police major and affirmed his five-year jail term. The Supreme Court justices should have made it clear the case was not that of homosexuality but of rape and pedophilia.

Justice Niki Tobi , in his judgement said “Carnal knowledge with the male sex is against the order of nature and here, nature should mean God and not just the generic universe that exists independently of mankind or people.” The order of nature is “carnal knowledge with the female sex” he argued in the judgement.

Nigerian judges and lawmakers need to take their religion and God(s) out of our courtrooms and chambers. There should be total separation of state and religion, quoting from your holy books when delivering judgments or making laws, belongs to the dark ages. Your religion is not my law. 

This tacit support of Sodomy law is indeed what is bizarre. They need to take a lesson from their counterparts in South Africa!

As Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa said in ‘National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and Another v Minister of Justice and Others’ – 

"The invalidation of anti-sodomy laws will mark an important moment in the maturing of an open democracy based on dignity, freedom and equality. As I have said, our future as a nation depends in large measure on how we manage difference. In the past difference has been experienced as a curse, today it can be seen as a source of interactive vitality. The Constitution acknowledges the variability of human beings (genetic and socio-cultural), affirms the right to be different, and celebrates the diversity of the nation." (CCT11/98) [1998] ZACC 15; 1999 (1) SA 6; 1998 (12) BCLR 1517 (9 October 1998)

It is indeed sad that most Nigerians are more horrified about the thought of two adult guys having consensual sex than the thought of an adult person intoxicating, raping and taking advantage of a child. In this horrifying case of gross child abuse, all they see is homosexuality. They are not even bothered about the rape or child abuse, just the thought of same-sex persons having sexual intercourse, be it consensual or non consensual. 

I hope Nigerians and the international community see this for what it really is; a presidential pardon of a rapist and pedophile, homosexuality has no business in that headline. Sensational journalism, especially at the expense of a vulnerable group of people should be condemned.

 

Order your sizzling copy of 'Freedom To Love For ALL: Homosexuality is Not Un-African! on Amazon. Thanks!

 About the book

 Sexuality rights remain a controversial issue in many parts of Africa; it is not just a controversial issue but also a taboo subject. 

Many countries in Africa still criminalize homosexuality. Sodomy laws remain part of the criminal laws thereby making it legally possible to persecute sexual minorities. For example Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana all have laws under which homosexuality can be prosecuted. In South Africa, where the constitution recognizes same-sex relationships, gays and lesbians are often attacked, molested and persecuted for their sexual orientation.

Many African societies do not provide enabling environments to discuss sexual orientation issues. Homosexuality has been condemned by many African leaders as Immoral, Un-African and a 'White man's disease'.

In Nigeria, lawmakers are resurrecting a version of a widely condemned anti-homosexuality bill. Nigerian Lawmakers in a bid to rally popular support needed a scapegoat and the LGBT community provides an easy target. 

Poverty, corruption, unemployment, lack of security and the growing menace of Boko Haram are some of the many problems bedeviling Nigeria as a nation. Rather than focus on these urgent problems, Nigerian lawmakers decided once again to come in a 'straight' mass orgy of corruption to bully the gay minority; a cause always guaranteed to provide the otherwise unpopular lawmakers with cheap, majority support. When will they stop discussing who is sleeping with whom and start making laws to move this underdeveloped, oil rich nation forward?

In the book FREEDOM TO LOVE FOR ALL: Homosexuality is not Un-African, Yemisi Ilesanmi takes a critical look at Nigeria's 'Jail the Gays' bill. In this interesting collection of her articles on Nigeria's Same Sex Marriage Prohibition bill, she makes a brilliant case for LGBT Rights as Human Rights and effectively debunks the myths surrounding homosexuality in Africa.

Yemisi Ilesanmi also raises concern on what she termed 'The deafening silence of Nigerian Human rights activists on the homophobic bill'. She sheds light on homophobia in Nigeria and the forces driving the 'Jail the Gays' bill in Africa.

She wrote: "I wonder why it is not considered politically incorrect to ask if Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals or Transsexuals have equal rights as heterosexuals. If we are agreed that no one should be discriminated against, why are we still debating if Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are entitled to Human Rights? Last time I checked LGBTs are people too! Well, debate is good because in some countries like Nigeria, many are yet to be convinced that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are actually human beings."

About the author:

Yemisi Ilesanmi is an experienced advocate, trade unionist, human rights activist and a passionate poet. She holds a Masters of Law degree in Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights.

Yemisi Ilesanmi writes and speaks on a range of issues including workers rights, gender and sexuality issues. She is a passionate campaigner for equal rights, social justice and poverty alleviation.

The promo video gives a glimpse into the sizzling contents of the book 'Freedom To Love For ALL: Homosexuality is Not Un-African'. You can order the Paperback or Kindle version on any of the Amazon links below. Your copy of the book is only a click away! Thanks.
www.amazon.com/dp/1481864815
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1481864815
www.amazon.de/dp/1481864815
www.amazon.es/dp/1481864815
www.amazon.fr/dp/1481864815
www.amazon.it/dp/1481864815
www.createspace.com/4086028

Support Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora's Advocacy Calendar Project on Indiegogo; Kindly make a Donation.

Hello Everyone,  I am glad to inform you that Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same Sex Laws' campaign 'LGBT Rights are Human Rights: Say NO to Nigeria's Jail the Gays Bill' Calendar Advocacy campaign is now live on Indiegogo. Join us in the fight against Nigeria's 'JAIL THE GAYS' bill. Some Nigerians are Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals, GET OVER IT!

About Our Group
Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same-Sex Laws is a campaign group that aims to protest the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition bill currently before Nigerian lawmakers. We stand for decriminalization of all homophobic laws and we hold firmly that LGBTI Rights are Human Rights. The group has organized protests rallies against the bill outside Nigerian Embassies in London and New York.

The Background
Nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition bill criminalizing same sex marriage and stipulating 14 years imprisonment for anyone who engages in same-sex relationships was unanimously passed by Senators. It has passed through the second reading in the Nigerian House of Representatives. The House Speaker has referred the bill to the Committee of the Whole House for final consideration. The homophobic bill is being packaged as a gift to Nigerians.

Our Advocacy Calendar Project
Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same sex laws has packaged a gift of love to our lawmakers to counter their homophobic gift of hate. We have an advocacy Wall Calendar and Desktop Calendar gift for Nigerian lawmakers.  We want you to help us donate this gift of equality and love to Nigerian President, all the 469 members of Nigerian National Assembly, the 36 State Governors and as many Nigerian ambassadors as possible.
 Nigerian lawmakers are fond of saying there are no gay Nigerians and they won't hesitate to send same sex lovers to jail. With this project, we have put a face on Nigerian LGBTs and also given a voice to Nigerian LGBTs to pass across our message. We are saying… Enough is Enough, No to ‘Jail the Gays’ bill. We exist, we are Nigerians, we are gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, intersex, queers and we are proud. Stop the discrimination, stop trying to send us to jail for our sexual orientation.

The wall calendars and desk top calendars show pictures of our protest rallies outside Nigerian embassies in London and New York. The calendar also has a special message for each month, creating awareness on the negative effect of the ‘Jail the Gays’ bill and bringing attention to how it violates Nigerian constitution and the many international treaties Nigeria has ratified.

  Our Target
Our target is to print 600 wall calendars and 400 desk top calendars. a total of 1,000 calendars. With your invaluable support, we can reach our target and even exceed it. Help us donate a gift of love, packed full with important advocacy message, today.
We will publicly present the calendars to our lawmakers in Nigeria at an organized sensitization event with good media coverage. We shall also hold press conferences in Nigeria to entertain questions and give out copies of the calendars to lucky Nigerians including members of the media.

 The Impact
This is the third time a Bill prohibiting same sex marriage is introduced by the Nigerian parliament. The proposed law is titled ”Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill, 2011”,  however, it goes well beyond the title to criminalize every Nigerian person(s), individual and group who may be suspected of any trace, exhibition, association and/or characteristic of same sex relationship, friendship, association or gesture.
LGBT rights are Human Rights. Fundamental Human Rights of sexual minorities are violated daily because of criminalization of same sex relationship and societal prejudice. The homophobic bill violates fundamental human rights that are guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution and various human rights regional and international laws and agreements that Nigeria has ratified.

Also, the bill would lead to political and social harassment of people for their actual or imputed sexual orientation. It would also stifle freedom of expression and association through the proposed ban on organizations that support Lesbians and gay rights.

Every Nigerian deserves the same right as every other Nigerian, irrespective of class, sex, race, gender identity or sexual orientation. Consensual adults do not deserve to have their love criminalized.

 Other Ways You Can Help.

We need financial support and goodwill to print the calendars and publicly distribute this gift in Nigeria.

You can also help by sharing our message with your friends and LGBT allies. Make some noise about our Advocacy Calendar project; blog about it, share on facebook, twitter and other social networks.

You can also use the Indiegogo share tools to share our project with the world! Thank you.

ON NIGERIA’S SAME SEX MARRIAGE PROHIBITION BILL

 There are ongoing legislative attempts in Nigeria and Uganda to further restrict sexuality rights. There is a clamour for the removal and also the strengthening of sodomy laws inherited by Commonwealth countries in Africa. However, the call for sexuality rights in Africa by the international community is seen as another colonial invasion by many Africans.

Research on sexuality rights is a relatively new developing area in Africa. There is a strong coalition spreading across Africa by Africans advocating for sexuality rights and claiming it as not just any right but as fundamental human rights.

Sexuality rights remain a silent but controversial issue in many parts of Africa; it is not just a controversial issue but also a taboo subject. One of the most efficient ways that patriarchy uses sexuality as a tool to create and sustain gender hierarchy in African societies is by enshrouding it in secrecy and taboos.

Many countries in Africa still criminalize homosexuality; sodomy laws are still part of the criminal laws thereby making it ‘legally’ possible to persecute people with different sexual orientation, for example Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana all have laws under which homosexuality can be prosecuted. In South Africa, where the constitution recognizes same sex relationships, gays and lesbians are often attacked, molested and persecuted for their sexual orientation.

Many African societies do not provide enabling environments to discuss sexual orientation issues. Homosexuality has been condemned by many African leaders as immoral, unafrican and a ‘white man’s disease’.

 Africa is a large continent with diverse cultures and ethnicities, however homophobia fuelled by religious intolerance and oppressive laws are remarkably similar issues many have in common. It seems however that black homophobia has replaced white racism as the newest form of intolerance to sweep across the African continent. This is not to imply that homophobia is a ‘black African’ phenomenon. In conservative societies including western societies, any challenge to heterosexual norms always provokes moral condemnation, exclusion and violence.

Should women have equal rights as men? Should blacks have equal rights as whites? Are Israelites and Palestinians equal? Some of these questions have been settled through wars, protests and various human rights treaties, in fact it is considered politically incorrect to ask such questions! I wonder why it is not considered politically incorrect to ask if Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals or Transsexuals have equal rights as heterosexuals. 

If we are agreed that no one should be discriminated against, why are we still debating if Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are entitled to Human Rights? Last time I checked LGBTs are people too! 

Well, debate is good because in some countries like Nigeria, many are yet to be convinced that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are actually human beings!

Following failed attempts in 2006 and 2008, Nigerian lawmakers are resurrecting a version of a widely condemned anti-homosexuality bill. Nigerian Lawmakers in a bid to rally popular support needed a scapegoat and the LGBT community provides an easy target!

 The lawmakers decided once again to come in a ‘Straight’ mass orgy of corruption to bully the gay minority; a cause always guaranteed to provide the otherwise unpopular lawmakers, cheap, majority support! When will they stop discussing who is sleeping with whom and start making laws to move this underdeveloped, oil rich nation forward?

The bill aims to further criminalize same sex relationship and marriage. Under Nigeria’s criminal code and penal code, consensual same sex conduct between adults is already a criminal offence. Homosexuality carries a sentence of fourteen years imprisonment under the criminal code while Sharia law, widely practiced in Northern Nigeria, prescribed death penalty for homosexual conducts. 

Some of Nigerian lawmakers’ arguments against same sex relationship are outright ridiculous if not pathetic! I still can’t believe Senator Yerima, an old, polygamous man who imported from Egypt to Nigeria, the 14 year old daughter of his Egyptian gardener for marriage, actually voted to send SAME SEX ADULTS who engage in CONSENSUAL relationships to prison for 14 years!  Senator Yerima who has a known history of marrying child brides, along with other lawmakers claimed that homosexuality leads to pedophilia! It is indeed like a badly written Nollywood script; no surprise.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Domingo Obende, argued that “Same sex marriage is spreading and spreading round the whole world just like pornography and terrorism which has become the order of the day if not arrested on time.”

Senator Victor Lar in his argument stated:  “The essence of marriage is for procreation and if we allow same sex there will be no procreation and continuity and we may become the last set of senators and no others to take over from us.”  Even with 7 billion world population? Gimme a break! 

Honourable Abike Dabiri, a member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives said "You have a right to your sexual preference but by trying to turn it into marriage do you realise you could be infringing on the human rights of the other person who finds it repulsive?"

Hmm, I find that funny considering that Abike Dabiri divorced her first husband to marry her current husband; did she not know that many Nigerians find divorce repulsive? Should we then criminalized divorce? Going by her argument, she has infringed on the human rights of majority of Nigerians who think divorce is repulsive.

Seriously, how do people come up with such bollocks!

In a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the senate president, Paul Mumeh, Mr Mark noted that besides banning same sex marriage, it is now a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of not less than 14 years. The senate president said that in spite of pressures from some quarters, the law has come to stay.

He further said the government has to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of same sex marriage that Nigerians promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity."

Wait a minute, Nigerians promote and respect Sanity, Morality and Humanity? Sounds like news to me, more like Nigerians promote insanity, immorality and inhumanity and excel at ignorance, now that wouldn't be news.

I can't help but laugh at the irony in this statement! Really how could the Senate President David Mark use the words, Sanity, Morality and Humanity in the same sentence in public without peeing himself? Abeg, David Mark you've looted enough money to get a brain transplant, go book a surgery or grow a brain!

Homosexuality is UnAfrican and a western imposition? How so? Foreign impositions include Christianity, Islam, Christmas, Ileya, Easter, Sodomy law and Homophobia, certainly not Homosexuality.

Sodomy law is a colonial legacy, a relic from the colonisation of Nigeria by Britain!  Britain has repealed the law in its homeland,  but some of its ex colonies in Africa still cling to this barbaric law and use it to persecute LGBTs. Britain also has a moral obligation to clean up its leftover mess and start accepting LGBT asylum seekers without whining!

LGBTI rights are human rights. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals are humans and are therefore entitled to ALL Human Rights; let no politician, religious leader or any bigot tell us otherwise!

Why support this draconian bill against Nigerian Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals? Why take away another person's right when you do not want your right trampled upon?

The fact that majority stands on the same side of an issue does not mean majority is always right. Sometimes it is just a case of fools standing on the same popular side as in the case of criminalisation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Giving someone else equal rights does not infringe or take away rights from you; it just makes it illegal to enforce your prejudice and   hate. It is that simple!

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.

Watch out for my soon to be published book  titled 'Freedom To Love For ALL: Homosexuality is not UnAfrican', get ready to grab a copy!