Nigerian residents in Canada recently stormed the Toronto Pride to show support for Nigerian LGBTQ members.
Members show solidarity for LGBTQ2 genders in Canada with bubbles filled the sky and cheers rang through the streets.
At the last edition of the well celebrated Pride Parade which took place last June, and saw thousands of colorfully-clad revelers at Canada’s largest Pride parade voiced their support for a community facing rising levels of hate and intolerance. The energy was phenomenon, the atmosphere was full of bliss and the spirit of Support was alive and active. They have come to show solidarity to LGBTQ2 across the world.
These people openly voiced out against the marginalization and discrimination of LGBTQ by the Nigerian society.
The supporters are asking among other things, that same-sex unions and relationships, like every other gender, be highly respected, protected and constitutionalize back home in Nigeria to abolish the stigmatization of the LGBTQ community in Nigeria.
LGBTQ members who were present at the solidarity gathering held penultimate week to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary calls for inclusion of the LGBTQ right in the Nigerian Constitution. Some of them like Olamiju Modile, Omolola Serah Togunwa, Akindolire Funmilola Bethel and Taiwo Sikirat Akindele.
Others, Saheed Sode, Atama Peter, Akindele James Olumide and Fumilayo Omolayo Ayobamidele spoke with one voice to condemn Countries that are against LGBTQ.
These Nigerians admitted to being a bisexual, according to them, several thousands of Nigerians that are bisexual are demanding that same-sex genders should not be discriminated against, but that society should be more accepting and embracing of them.
One Omolola Serah Togunwa, introduced herself as a bisexual. Omolola, like other protesters, is demanding equality for LGBTQ in Nigeria and the world over.
According to her, LGBTQ genders should be respectfully treated equally to other genders.
Another one Atama Peter, a Nigerian, said he sees nothing wrong in what they choose to do with their own bodies and their feelings. He too is demanding that ‘LGBTQ PERSONS’, should be respected and protected’.
In his view, Olamiju Modile, who also spoke said every human being has exclusive rights to choose his or her sex and what he or she wants, and in return, they ought to be respected and protected.
Another speaker Saheed Sode, also a Nigerian, said it is appalling to know that in this jet age, sex genders are still being discriminated against by virtue of their gender.
He admitted being a same-sex gender, he frowns at the discrimination they are subjected to, like the others, is also demanding same sex genders be adequately protected and respected.
Another person we interviewed Taiwo Sikirat Akindel, according to her, LGBTQ genders are highly discriminated against, she condemns such discrimination and frowns at it.
She like the rest of her colleagues are calling on the United Nations to sanction countries that discriminate and disrespect Same-sex genders.
Also speaking, Funmilola Bethel, wants countries of the world to emulate Canada especially in protecting and respecting the fundamental Rights of Same-sex genders world over.
From their message, one thing is clear, that these people are in one voice demanding; that all the countries of the world accept, respect and accommodate “LGBTQ PERSONS” and see them as “normal people”.
One Fumilayo Omolayo Ayobamidele while shedding more light on the issue said Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 (SSMPA) has made a bad situation much worse for Nigeria’s beleaguered lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,
She said the law has led to an increase in extortion and violence against LGBT people and imposed restrictions on nongovernmental organizations providing essential services to LGBT people in Nigeria.
She described homosexuality as an emotional tendencies and romantic attributes of being sexually attracted solely to people of the Same-Sex gender.
Apart from Lesbianism, Gay, Transgender which forms part of Homosexuality, Bisexuality, a situation when someone is sexually attracted not exclusively to a specific gender but sexually and romantically attracted to both, is also a common practice in different climes and society.
While Lesbianism or Female homosexuality could be referred to as the quality or State of intense emotional and usually erotic attraction of a human female to another female.
It will interest you to know that the Nigerian State has vehemently opposed same-sex relationships. According to the Nigerian State, her culture is antithetical to homosexuality.
Sadly, Nigeria and other African countries criminalize same-sex relationships in whatever form. It is hoped that someday, Nigeria and other African countries and the rest of the world that still criminalizes or frowns at same-sex relationships/genders, will begin to accept and see same-sex genders as equal to other genders.
Regrettably, though, LGBTQ genders in Nigeria will have to wait a little longer, perhaps the Nigeria Government will have a rethink on her decision. But until then, all the LGBTQ genders will have to hope and stay strong.
