mep slams nigeria’s “homophobic” culture

By Marc Shoffman (PinkNews.co.uk)

April 12, 2006: The Nigerian government is facing condemnation from the European Parliament over plans to make homosexual marriage illegal and to ban gay organisations.

MEP Michael Cashman (UK), president of the Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights , accused the government of supporting a "homophobic" culture and threatening “the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens."

The former EastEnders star said the proposal bans "any person involved in the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly in public and in private."

Gay sex is already illegal in Nigeria, Justice Minister Bayo Ojo called homosexual unions 'unnatural and un-African' and is supported by a variety of Christian groups.

Many anti gay activists in the country fear having Western ideas of rights imposed on their communities.