OutTales around the Fire

Yesterday, I read yet another story from the land of my ancestors about how ‘gays were a Western phenomenon’.

Today, I saw yet another comment on a blog, from a concerned Nigerian saying that ‘gays were an abomination, and should keep their business behind closed doors’.

I have visions of a tomorrow where the stories from the land of my ancestors celebrate the lives of everyone, regardless of them being gay or lesbian.

I have visions of a tomorrow, where parents, uncles, aunties and neighbors stand and speak up against any form of homophobia that is uttered in their presence. More

I did not wake up on a sunny Saturday morning, yawn, stretch and tell myself, ‘I’m tired of being straight, today is a good day to be gay.’

I’ve always been gay. I’ve always been on this less taken path for as long as I can remember. It’s as natural to me, as it is for a dove designed to fly, not swim. As natural to me, as it is for an eagle born to soar, not crawl.

My heart and soul are channeled to this path and without expressing myself, I’m like an eagle caged forever. More

I have been gay all my life, well as far as I can imagine. I didn’t make myself this way, I have lived my lifestyle in such a way that it doesn’t affect anyone.

Since the anti-gay bill in Nigeria has been introduced, every LGBT person here now lives in fear of being the first victim of the witch-hunt; with the high level of ignorance, we never can vouch for what family members, co-workers, friends & neighbors might do, in fear of the 10-year jail term for abetting a same sex relationship. More

Running in parallel with our monthly OutTales themes will be the ‘My Sexuality is a Human Right‘ campaign.

I have come to understand that social action takes different forms. Some people are called to be protesters and march the streets. Some people are called to be activists in the background, by engaging in dialogue with friends, family and colleagues. Some people are called to lobby legislators and human rights bodies.

We all have a part to play, some in the background, some at the forefront – even if it is as simple as providing a compassionate ear to a fellow member of the Family, worried about the impact of this homophobic piece of legislation. This is a call to action; we all have a part to play. Sitting on the fence or staying quiet is not an option. Our silence will not save us. More