Examining the debate surrounding gay rights in Africa: A Nigerian perspective

Abstract

The gay rights activism which spread across Europe and America undoubtedly brought about tremendous changes in the legal regime of many countries across the world, Africa inclusive. Changes introduced into national laws allow lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual (LGBTI) people to publicly express their gender orientation and embrace their gender identity, particularly in Europe and America. Based on this success, the LGBTI activists have intensified their advocacy efforts, pushing through boundaries of religion, culture, morality, etc. that hitherto stood against the actualisation of LGBTI rights to secure acceptance, using the instrumentality of the law. The success rate of LGBTI acceptance across Africa is limited, at least legally, as many countries continue to reject the idea of legalising these rights. Using the doctrinal approach, this paper examines the debates surrounding the full realisation of gay rights in Africa, particularly Nigeria. The paper begins by considering LGBT rights in terms of global efforts galvanised to press for recognition of these rights, especially gay marriage, to challenge the negative perception of these rights globally. This is followed with a discourse of the struggle to actualise LGBTI rights in Africa and Nigeria and the challenges impeding the enjoyment of such rights. The paper concludes with recommendations.