church sees nigeria anti-gay law reform as conspicuous homophobia

By Wendy Landau and Mashilo Mnisi

May 19, 2006: The Metropolitan Community Church of North London (MCC NL), which is part of the international gay affirming Metropolitan Community Churches Movement, deplores moves of outlawing same sex marriage in Nigeria.
 
As regulator in the country, couple who engage in same sex union – and the clergy officiating such marriage, would face at least almost five years imprisonment, while advocacy groups would be banned.

Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay, a Nigerian gay rights advocate and Staff Clergy, and MCC NL – which is committed to provide to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersexual (LGBTI) people a shelter of support, criticized the law reform in that country saying it’s undisguised homophobia:
 
“The Nigerian Government should not be using time and energy to attack and deny the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We are children of God who have been created to enjoy and affirm our God-given sexual nature.  The statements made by the Federal Government of Nigeria are homophobic and are prepared to use any means to (sic) silent the voices of innocent and vulnerable citizens.”
 
Nigeria’s Anglican Communion church has been at the forefront of anti-gay prejudice in that country something which saddened Macaulay as a Christian.
 
“The church should commit itself to mission and evangelism and the Good News of Jesus Christ in the life of all her members. The Church should protect the safety of all minorities and people who are subject to prejudice, including lesbian and gay people.” 
On 2 July this year, MCC NL will host an International Day of Prayer, a day set aside to pray for LGBT people of Nigeria, and to show support and solidarity in the face of adversity.

Founded in 1968 in the United States with over 200 congregations in the world that include Africa, the church is calling on all religious and non religious ministries and supporters to pray for all Nigerian LGBT people and the federal legislators.