18 April 2021
THE CONFESSION OF BRIGHT
Bright, who comes from Benin City, Nigeria, struggled with depression and eventually became homeless when his parents threw him out following a blackmail experience with the Nigeria police.
sometime in May 2020, the 19-year old was lured and arrested by the Nigerian police officers in Benin City, who had used other previously arrested young gay men as bait to catch their friends.
Bright says “I just walked right into their trap. I didn't do anything. I was only hoping to meet up with a friend of friends after he called me that he needed me to come to help him pick up something for another one of our friends. That two police officers grabbed me by the trousers and asked for my name. The moment I confirmed my name, I was arrested”.
if was however released on bail but when he returned home, he received a shock of a lifetime.
His family had called and reported the issue to everyone they knew and that included their pastor. "I was then asked to leave the house that I brought shame to the family. My dad said he was never going to have a gay son,” Bright lamented.
Bright said he was homeless for about a month until a friend took him in. However, the friend was also living with his family, and they did not approve of his sexuality. It was then that he reached out to NoStringsNG, which provided transportation for him to move to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he was provided shelter at a safe house run by a trans group.
“I must confess that I feel lonely and depressed sometimes, but I am certainly happy to have found a place to stay. I have some peace now and can sleep well at least at night. I appreciate the support that I received and I am aprreciative,” Bright said.
4 April 2021
Clubhouse and LGBTQ+
The LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria has been experiencing frequent abuse lately on the popular social media app Clubhouse. the invitation-based app has been used by queer Nigerians as an escape. the app is used to discuss LGBTQ+ issues and topics.
One user described Clubhouse as a “safe haven” and a “holding space for each other [the LGBTQ+ community].”
Nigeria is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries for the LGBTQ+ community and it has been ranked as the worst place for LGBTQ+ safety, due to the prospect of 14 years in prison or the death penalty for homosexuality, as well as the criminalization of LGBTQ+ rights discussions.
Although Clubhouse has been a safe haven for most, abuse and anti-LGBTQ+ behavior have become more common since its introduction.
Some homophobic chatrooms have even disguised themselves as LGBTQ+ friendly, luring in unsuspecting people before unleashing horrible verbal attacks.
The hijacking of queer spaces on social media has become more common in Nigeria, with some homophobes even tricking gay individuals on Grindr. even with heavy precautions, some users have stated that nothing has been done for reports of abuse.
Homophobia is rife throughout the country, back in 2019 an influential police chief, Dolapo Badmos, told LGBTQ+ people to leave or face prosecution and this statement has caused a lot more harm than good.
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