Nigeria Looking to Further Criminalize Same-Sex Relationships

The Nigerian government is currently considering a bill that would further criminalize same-sex relationships that would impose a minimum 3 year prison sentence for “anyone who has ‘entered into a same gender marriage contract’” as “an affront to family values!” Sound familiar? Mayor Eze of the Nigerian National Assembly said the bill was necessary to protect family values.

Anyone who “witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization” of a same gender marriage would face five years in prison, or a fine.

The law would make it easier for the police to arrest suspects, and criminalize anyone working in a human rights organization that dealt with gay rights, they say.

This is a further affront by the Nigerian government on the human rights of their LGBT citizens and allies. Please take a moment to voice your opposition to this egregious bill.

Here is the contact information for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 986-8400
Fax: (202) 362-6541

E-contact form for Nigerian Embassy within the United States.

Crossposted via Salinas Valley Equality.

Act Now: Nigerian Bisexual Faces Imminent Deportation From Canada

"Jane Okojie, a woman of Nigerian nationality, arrived in Canada in 2003 after being beaten by her neighbours when her bisexuality was discovered.

The Nigerian refugee, who says she is bisexual, is facing deportation and currently awaits judgement from the federal courts.

Okojie said yesterday if she returns home, she will face persecution.

"I don't know if there's going to be life for me there. Sending me back to Nigeria is a suicide mission for me," said Okojie, 39.

The Toronto youth worker fled to Canada in July 2003 with her 12-year-old son, Samuel. She said neighbours in her homeland beat her after they discovered she was bisexual -- a crime in Nigeria which carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Canadian immigration and refugee officials have rejected her claim, saying Okojie failed to convince them that she's bisexual or lesbian.

NDP MP Olivia Chow, her party's immigration critic, said Canada's citizenship and immigration ministry should look at creating an appeal division for claimants" (Toronto Sun).

Demand that Jane Ojokie be granted asylum, letting the agency know that in Nigeria sexual minorities suffer heinous persecution.

Email the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada at info@irb-cisr.gc.ca

Contact Citizen and Immigration Canada.

URGENT ALERT: Demand Asylum for Bisexual Nigerian Woman & Family

"“Time is running out for a bisexual woman who has been denied refugee status in Canada. Jane Okojie is scheduled to be deported to Nigeria on Thu, Jul 10 where she says she and her two children will face persecution because of her bisexuality.” (Queerty)

Click to Email the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada(IRB)info@irb-cisr.gc.ca and demand asylum for Ms. Jane Okojie.