So earlier this week, I stumbled on a blogpost entitled ‘What’s wrong with being gay‘. I was taken by the content of the post and left a comment. The author, Demola Rewaju, got in touch and we had a chat…….. here is the subsequent blog he wrote……
Lets talk about Race, Culture, Religion and Homophobia
22 Nov 2012 7 Comments
in My Sexuality is a Human Right Tags: Africa, Gay, Homophobia, Nigeria, Religion, sexuality
Being gay in Nigeria
16 Nov 2012 2 Comments
in My Sexuality is a Human Right Tags: Africa, Gay, Gay Africa, homosexual, Nigeria
Earlier this week, the Nigerian Same-Sex Marriage bill had its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, if passed, will prohibit marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same-sex.
The proposed legislation also imposes up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine on anyone who “witnesses”, “aids” or “abets” same-sex relationships. The bill carries similar sentences for the establishment of gay clubs, and for any activity seen as supporting gay rights. The legislation does feel very much a sham, because not only is it currently illegal to engage in ‘homosexual activity’ in Nigeria, it is also a huge cultural taboo. More
Love Me As I Am: gay men reflect on their lives
15 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Gay, Reflections, Velvet Rage Tags: Gay, homosexual, Shame, Velvet Rage
What happens when Religion and Culture collide with Sexuality
27 Sep 2012 2 Comments
in Religion & Spirituality Tags: Faith, Family, Gay, homosexual, Nigeria, Oprah, Religion, Spirituality
Earlier this year, I came across a story on a number of online gay sites, the piece was titled ‘Jesus was gay!’ I remember scanning it and not thinking too much about it. A few days later, I noticed a similar piece in ‘The Guardian‘.
I remember feeling that the piece was well written and thought-provoking. For me, it was not a case of ‘was it true or not’. Afterall, the beliefs I held about the ‘God of my childhood’ have long evolved into ‘All is God’ and ‘We are All One’…. and whilst I love a good story, I am more captivated by essence – i.e. what was the essence of the teachings of Jesus (and/or any other spiritual teacher). Curious to see what people thought of it, I decided to post the article on Facebook, with a status update of ‘Food for thought’. More
“This above all: to thine own self be true”
01 Sep 2012 1 Comment
in Family Tags: Africa, Authenticity, Family, Gay, Homophobia, homosexual
In late September 2010, I visited Nigeria with the purpose of reconnecting with my mother. It was not a journey that I had planned to take, but I had reached a point of where I knew that if I was truly committed to living an integrated and congruent life, then I would need to come out to my mother all over again.
I had come out to her as gay, 15 years prior and in the years that followed, the subject was never discussed again. I knew she was hoping that I would grow out of it. And on my part, I simply did not want to relive the painful events of the night I had come out to her. More
The story of my Coming Out
10 Aug 2012 4 Comments
in Coming Out Tags: Africa, Gay, Homophobia, homosexual, Nigeria
From a young, tender, innocent age, I always knew that I was different in ways that I couldn’t explain to myself, let alone to anybody else – I know it is a cliché or whatever, but trust me when I say some of us, at least those that pay attention to their bodies, know what I am talking about.
We lived in Ondo State (Nigeria) and my father’s cousin, Matthew was staying with us. He was in High School and hanging around him for comfort and security made things better for me (my oldest sister was always taking advantage and bullying me, till I was taller than her of course!). While I hung around him for those things, he also had this fondness for me and I am not talking about tickling me or taking interest in me learning ABC. His fondness was in terms of me touching his genitals and vice versa. During those times – which didn’t last, because we moved to Akure – I never once thought I was abused for the simple fact that I enjoyed him touching me and since my dad and mum weren’t around as much, this was my toy; sure I had Transformers and all those stuff, but this was human with tender feelings with little abrasive twist to it. More
OutTales around the Fire 