Gay marriages: Suspected lesbian stripped naked and chased out of town with sticks and whips

Most Africans will say same sex marriage is alien to our culture? In the last few years or so, the topic has come to the forefront with a few people coming out in Africa to assert their sexuality. A lot of people will say its a taboo and should never be legalised.

In the last four months in Ghana, two lesbian marriages have reportedly taken place at James Town in the heart of Accra, provoking youth in the area to declare war on all suspected gays and lesbians in the neighbourhood. The second marriage ceremony was raided and every suspected lesbian stripped naked and chased out of town with sticks and whips.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Nigeria, and recently the Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill sailed unopposed through the Senate - the country's highest chamber. With international bodies and leaders screaming foul, the Nigerian government advised anyone who had such tendencies to take it to the western world (well, not exactly in those words).

Under the new bill, same-sex couples entering into either marriage or cohabitation would face jail terms of up to 14 years.

Gay rights activist Rashidi Williams addressing the Nigeria National Assembly

Richard Branson writes on his blog:

Too sad to comprehend that Nigeria are passing a law in this day and age to put gay people in prison just for being gay.

The Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill passed through Nigeria’s Senate unopposed last week. It means gay couples entering into either marriage or cohabitation will be jailed for up to 14 years. Even people "witnessing" or "abetting" gay relationships could be punished under this sad, repressive and cruel law.

Like everyone else in society, gay people have an enormous amount to offer and Nigeria should embrace them not prosecute them.

All of us with influence in Nigeria must do what we can to stop this cruel law. I would urge educated Nigerians all over the world to do what they can to help fight this discrimination.

Nigeria's Anti-Gay Legislation- Protest At The Nigeria House In New York in Dec.

To be or not to be? This is proving to be a topic that is never going away.