#RepealSSMPA calls for the Nigerian government to abolish anti-gay laws

#RepealSSMPA calls for the Nigerian government to abolish anti-gay laws

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.”.

“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.

Queer Nigerian Lives Matter.

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