Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) is not foreign to LGBTQ+ Nigerians. Passed into law in January 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, the bill authorizes consequences of up to 14 years in prison for gay persons and their allies. “The notional purpose of the SSMPA is to prohibit marriage between persons of the same sex, [but] in reality, its scope is much wider.” Human Rights Watch reports. “The law forbids any cohabitation between same-sex sexual partners and bans any “public show of same-sex amorous relationship.” The SSMPA imposes a 10-year prison sentence on anyone who ‘registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organization’ or ‘supports’ the activities of such organizations. Punishments are severe, ranging from 10 to 14 years in prison.”
And that law is what the #RepealSSMPA movement is trying to end.
Standing in front of the National Assembly in Abuja is Victor Emmanuel — one of the creators of the #EndHomophobiainNigeria movement — raising a placard that reads, “My Sexual Orientation is not a Crime #RepealSSMPA”.
In a video he uploaded around noon today to explain his motive for the protest for the repeal of the law, Victor cites the inhumanity of the SSMPA and the numerous ways it has been weaponized unjustly against LGBTQ+ Nigerians. Based on the law, Victor explains, “Queer people — for just existing — can go to jail for the same amount of time that rapists [are jailed] for raping people.”.
I am at The National Assembly and I’m here to demand LGBTQ+ freedom and liberation!
Use the hashtags #RepealSSMPA #QueerNigerianLivesMatter Let the world see! pic.twitter.com/miuBWJ6j4H
— For Fags Sake!🌈 #RepealSSMPA (@vicw0nder) March 20, 2021
“None of this is okay,” Victor adds. “I am going to be here [in front of the National Assembly], protesting every single day, because this is the same building where that law went through before it was signed by the former president.
“If you’re queer, an ally, or you’re just a human being who isn’t wicked enough to actually think we deserve 14 years imprisonment for just existing, then I ask you to join me on this journey,” he finally calls.
LGBTQ+ persons and allies online have also been involved in tweeting and retweeting using the hashtag #RepealSSMPA.
Every Oct 1st, the Nigerian govt organises elaborate ceremonies to remind us all that we're now free from colonisation. But the reality for Nigerians is that the govt is a colonial black face, which is why we still have colonial laws.#RepealSSMPA cos #QueerNigerianLivesMatter ✊🏿 https://t.co/WxPeDCECo2
— Ọláṣùpọ̀ Ajia (@idrismonsur) March 20, 2021
The hastag is #RepealSSMPA
Please RT
— Comrade Kay (@Kayode_ani) March 20, 2021
Queer Nigerians are dying everyday. If you're queer or you believe in human rights, this is the time to speak up. #RepealSSMPA #QueerNigerianlivesmatter
— Eniòrìsàyàn💙🏳️🌈 (@womyn_witch) March 20, 2021
2014 after the SSMPA was signed, in a town a mob of about 40 men reportedly dragged a number of suspected gay men from their beds in the middle of the night
The victims were taken onto the streets & beaten with sticks spiked with nails, wires, whips & broken-
— Freddie🌻 (@Freddieunicorn5) March 20, 2021
Queer Nigerian Lives Matter.
