Following is a statement issued by the Alternative Lifestyle Foundation (LGBT Humanitarian Project) of Nigeria. This unsolicited report describes a dire situation for gay men and lesbians in one of the world’s poorest countries, and announces the formation of an organization whose mission is to fight anti-gay persecution and to lobby for sexual equality. We publish this report as a public service in the hope that some readers will respond to the group’s plea for help in getting this organization started. [The editors.]
In this 21st century, civilization and greater awareness, it is disheartening and unfortunate for us in this part of the world in which gay and lesbian are still utterly rejected in our society. There is hardly a right word to adequately describe the inhuman treatment given to gays and lesbians in Nigeria. Not only is it illegal to be gay/lesbian here, which attracts a considerable jail term, it is also considered a sacrilege by both the religious bodies and the traditional institutions. A suspected gay/lesbian and the entire family is subjected to public ridicule and ostracized by the community. A gay/lesbian here is laid off work immediately to avoid public stigma on the employer. Schools would expel any student known to be gay/lesbian. As far as the legal system here is concerned, gay/lesbian is a societal aberration and lacks any legal right or human right in that perspective. A confirmed or suspected gay/lesbian is even stoned to death in some parts of this country. There is quite a lot happening here that is never known to the outside world.
Confronted with these strangulating problems, a number of courageous men and women have dared the obvious consequences in coming together to plant a mustard seed of hope and organize the Nigeria Alternative Lifestyle Foundation (NALF). We are appreciative of the fact that this is a dangerous undertaking on our part. We know that intolerant elements abound in our society who will not hesitate to kill any or all of us in order that our weak voice will remain silenced.
In organizing the Nigeria Alternative Lifestyle Foundation we have set the following as primary objectives:
(A) Registration / Incorporation
(1) In accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act relating to the registration of associations, we intend to incorporate the organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission in order to earn legitimacy and have legal identity.
(2) Promoting and protecting the rights and interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) citizens of Nigeria, with the aim of reaching full legal and actual equality for the LGBT people in Nigeria.
(3) Drafting suggestions and proposals for the implementation of laws and legislative regulations pertaining to the rights of the LGBT in Nigeria.
(4) Fostering democratic values in society and seeking active protection of human rights through various campaigns.
(5) Advocating for equal rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people at the level of national, state and local government institutions.
(6) Organizing various activities promoting the rise to collective self determination of LGBT people in Nigeria
(7) Creating a positive image of LGBT within the Nigerian society in cooperation with the mass media.
(8) Publishing educational materials and maintaining a website addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights and the psychosocial aspects of homosexuality for the young LGBT.
(9) Providing consultancy in cases of discrimination and violence against LGBT people in Nigeria.
(10) Participating in national and international collaboration with LGBT organizations, sexual and reproductive health and rights networks, etc.
(B) Reachout Program
There are a lot of gays and lesbians who have been displaced in their careers, studies and families. Many have become destitute as a result of rejection by families and the society. We have planned a reach-out program to help and encourage all in different needs. This involves the following:
(i) Funding of training in acquisition of skill and vocation.
(ii) Payment of school fees for those still studying.
(iii) Relocation of those already rejected and displaced by family members.
(iv) Counseling on the need for self appreciation even in the face of societal and family rejection.
(v) Encouragement of togetherness among gay/lesbians.
(vi) Counseling on safe sex practices and the use of condom.
(vii) AIDS awareness.
(viii) Counseling and assistance for drug and alcohol addicts.
WE HAVE in our midst a young woman who was set ablaze by a mob in her community because a lady accused her of making sexual advances on her. She was dragged to the village square, beaten and kerosene poured on her and set ablaze. She was severely burnt but survived. Her family could not bear the humiliation she supposedly brought upon them. They cast her out. We have contributed our meager purse for part of her treatment costs in the hospital and need a lot more money for her skin grafting as recommended by the doctors.
Undoubtedly we are faced with arduous tasks. But they are not insurmountable. We have the determination, what we lack is the means and wherewithal. There is absolutely no possibility of obtaining assistance from any organization here, for no one would want to be seen as encouraging homosexuality and lesbianism, which would definitely place them in bad faith with the government and the society. We are completely on our own to accomplish this by any other means possible. The only means possible is to seek assistance overseas from people and organizations that are not bound by the dictates and preferences of our government and society.
There is an African adage that says “when an animal itches, it goes to the tree to scratch. But when a man itches, he goes to a fellow man for a scratch.” We are making a solemn plea to you for financial assistance from the kindness of your heart. Our only hope here is to turn to our kind in other places to help us survive. We need the money to enable us to accomplish some of our set objectives and give a voice of hope to the rejected and dejected Nigerian gay/lesbian community. We will gladly appreciate whatever token you are able to give.
We will also appreciate invitations and sponsorship of our members to informative and social gay events and seminars overseas in order to afford us a better knowledge on organizing gay activities. To give or pledge a donation, kindly call Jonathan Offor at 234-80-52302776, or e-mail securedbox@post.com for advice on how to send your donations. Kindly pass our plea on to your good friends and mates. Their valued help is welcomed. May you be greatly replenished as you extend a hand of kind assistance to our course. We remain grateful for your kind gesture.
Nigeria Alternative Lifestyle Foundation can be contacted via e-mail at:
alternativelifestylefoundation@virgilio.it
