On the 7th of January 2014, Nigeria’s ex-president signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill (SSMPA) into law. This prohibits any form of cohabitation or public show of affection involving people of the same sex. This singular act fueled homophobia and provided violent individuals power and a sense of moral superiority. It is quite disheartening that governmental institutions enable this kind of hate.
As the population increasing exponentially, it comes with a duality of intentions and actions. As a result, many people venture towards the side of acceptance, while others are inundated with rage and intolerance. And while every Nigerian LGBTQ+ person getting their unfair share of the National loathe, a particular community on the edge of this undeserving hate is the Gender Fluid, also called GenderQueer or Non-Conformists.
Gender Fluids are those balanced on a scale and informing anyone who cares to listen that their genders should not be defined. Their interest in any particular gender is just as fluid and should be respected. There are really no tags or labels.
The presence of these people in Nigeria has spiked another kind of rage and hate, drenched in willful ignorance. The very existence and obvious show of gender fluid and non-conforming people are threatened daily.
I am GENDERFLUID. That means sometimes I’m a BOY, and other times I’m a GIRL. Sometimes, I am even IN BETWEEN. But no matter what, I am still HUMAN and should feel safe.
–Anonymous.
So, is Nigeria ready for gender fluidity?
Again, the SSMPA alongside the Sharia law prohibits any form of intimacy amongst LGBTQ+ people. Currently, whether public show of affection or not, the hate is spreading even among obvious effeminate men. According to Pink News, January 2020; Nigeria is the most dangerous place for LGBT+ tourists and the 139th worst place to live in as an LGBTQ+ person.
“We arrested and transferred the errant students to our correctional centre. Whilst at our correctional centre, they will be re-oriented. At the close of the day, they will desist from their waywardness and turn a new leaf”
Hisbah Board Deputy commander, General Shehu Tasi’u Is’haq.
Amidst all the backlash and hate, there might be some positive improvement. People are taking it upon themselves to get some education concerning how to react towards gender-fluid persons and LGBTQ+ people, generally. According to a survey carried out by TIERS, there has been a decrease in homophobic attitudes, as some findings show progress
People are beginning to be more open to the idea that people can be gender fluid. I have seen a lot of Nigerian men wear shoes that are typically meant for the female gender. They are not thinking about it in that way, because they just want to wear what they want. So, the landscape around how people see these alternative lifestyles is changing, even in such a religious country.
Richard Akuson. Founder, A Nasty Boy.
In the words of Munachi Amah, “Our concept of gender and sexual identity is simply outdated. There is so much we have to unlearn and relearn about the diverse and valid experiences we all experience within gender and sexuality”.
