You can go to jail for up to ten years for being gay in Nigeria, according to a recent article in the London Guardian. Now the Nigerian Senate is considering an anti-gay marriage bill that would make it a punishable offense even to help a gay couple get married.
Despite these hardships, Nigerian gay and lesbian activists are fighting back. GLBT organization Behind the Mask is asking people worldwide to support their crusade to defeat the anti-gay marriage bill that has been through two readings in the Senate since 2009. The government of Nigeria allows its Senate to vote on the bill without even staging a public comment period.
Support Behind the Mask, Nigerian GLBT activist organization, in their struggle for equal rights. Tell the Nigerian Senate to throw out the anti-gay marriage bill and, instead, craft new legislation providing equal rights for GLBT Nigerians.
You have, for two years, been considering an anti-gay marriage bill that is in direct violation of international human rights. Please throw this bill out of your chambers and enact legislation that would bring equal rights to all Nigerians and put an end to discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
Same sex couples everywhere are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual couples. Gay Nigerians should equally be able to form domestic partnerships without fear of death or imprisonment, and they should have equal access to education.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
