Culture, Morality, and the Homosexual Fix in Nigeria

Abstract

There is ample evidence from historical and anthropological studies that same-sex African partnerships existed long before colonization of the continent. Homosexuality may have been frowned at but it was never criminalized. Homosexuals are due the personal rights identified with human dignity, including the protection of their persons and the freedom to associate. Homosexuality is a right of sexual orientation and morality should not be smuggled into a discussion of sexual orientation. This paper is therefore of the view that the prohibition of homosexuality in Nigeria negates basic human rights, and is in contempt of international agreements in respect of articles 18-20 of United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which articulates the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, association and assembly. Characterizing homosexuality as putrescent and offending African values and African morality is tortured logic and portrays our culture as pitiably static. There is no such thing as authentic African essence that is inherently inimical to homosexuality. African history will be a skewed one if the voices of minority groups such as homosexuals are not reckoned with.

Key words: Homosexuality, Nigeria, Culture, Morality, Sexual orientation, Human Rights