The Nigerian legislature is pushing ahead with a new bill which aims to limit gay rights, including banning gay marriage. And it’s paying absolutely no attention to Western nations’ concerns about this.

The Nigerian bill also seeks to outlaw gay organisations and public displays of affection between gay couples.  The latter offence would be subject to a 10-year jail sentence.

Barack Obama’s government is trying to wield its power to crack down on anti-homosexual legislation such as this bill, while Britain has threatened to withhold Aids funding if Nigeria enacts the law.

A lawmaker and spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed, has stated that same-sex marriage is alien to Nigerian culture and should never be given a chance.

Oh, and “to hell with” the Western super powers nations who are opposed to the new law, he says.

Interestingly, this is all apparently part of Nigeria’s democracy. Information Minister Labaran Maku noted, “We live in a democracy, we live in a free country, we live in an independent country… Some of the things that are considered fundamental rights abroad… can be very offensive to African culture”.

[Source: TimesLive]

[Image: Reuters]