28 March 2021
Son of the Rainbow narrates his experience
Mathew Blaise who is popularly known as The son of the rainbow, on social media, talk about his experience with a Priest about two years ago, just after he had posted about his sexuality on Facebook. He said a priest invited him to his church office and harassed him physically by throwing punches and choking him. People that witnessed the incident, did absolutely nothing to intervene, a not-uncommon response to anti-LGBTQ violence in Nigeria, Blaise says. Only 7% of Nigerians surveyed by Pew for its 2020 report said homosexuality should be accepted by society, the lowest rate among polled countries. In 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan signed a law that criminalizes public displays of same-sex affection and threatening LGBTQ couples who marry or have “amorous relationships” with up to 14 years in prison. In some states, same-sex relations are punishable by death.
The assault fueled Blaise, who’s nonbinary and gay, to become more outspoken on social media. After the killing of a Nigerian gay man last March, they created the #EndHomophobiaInNigeria hashtag, which trended for two days. Blaise also organized a group of queer people to march during last year’s protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a branch of the national police that has a reputation for targeting the LGBTQ community.
Last year, LGBTQ Nigerians won a minor victory when a judge threw out a case against 47 men charged with public display of affection, a crime that can carry a 10-year sentence. “It’s a very beautiful thing to know that despite these laws that condemn our existence, we are still resilient,” Blaise says
21 March 2021
Help save Jane Otubo
On Friday the 19th of March 2021, the Lagos State Police Command announced that their operatives had arrested a 28-year-old groceries seller, Jane Otubo, for participation in gay activities somewhere in Oshodi.
Otubo, is a native of Enugu State but was apprehended at Eniola Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi area of Lagos by the Makinde Police Division.
"We have arrested a middle-aged man for homosexual acts. He is allegedly a habitual homosexual. Police operatives attached to Makinde division nabbed him on Thursday in the Mafoluku area," the Police Spokesperson, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said when interviewed.
This is what living in Nigeria and gay means, constant police arrests, bullying and disgrace, and humiliation. Otubo is human, an adult who should be allowed to have sex with whoever he pleases but the reverse is the case here. he was dragged out by his own neighbor and reported to the police who is currently making life unbearable for him.
we need to do something with this antigay law in Nigeria because the life of LGBTQ is at stake.
7 March 2021
#ENDATIGAYLAWINIGERIA
Coming out to my friends and family is a huge step that Uche Maduagwu took so that he can be himself and become the person that he is. He was tired of hiding and living in a shell of himself. He took to social media to speak publicly. After announcing his sexuality reveal he took to his Instagram page a few weeks ago to speak about his experience after opening.
According to this controversial actor, he has lost many endorsement deals, all movie roles, and even lost friends and he is now asking people to join him to embark on a peaceful protest to put an end to anti-gay law in Nigeria.
I am excited that he is able to come but as we all know, his safety is now at stake! I am literally scared for him because he wants to embark on a journey that can cost him his life. The situation of the Lekki toll gate is still fresh and we vividly remember how peaceful protesters were shot at point-blank! Now imagine an LGBTQ Protest! Typing it alone makes me scared of the letters. I remembered during the #EndSARS protesters, we used the medium to peacefully talk about #LGBTQLIVESMATTERS but to my utmost surprise, I got threatened to dare it after the #EndSARS movement and see what will happen. That alone still make me hid in my shell.
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