Bianca Bayard

bialogue-group:

Says Bisexual Author and Activist Yemisi Ilesanmi —

I am a passionate human rights activist, trade unionist, poet, and advocate for equal rights, social justice and poverty alleviation. I hold a Master of Law degree in Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights. I write and speak on a range of issues including workers rights, gender and sexuality issues.

I coordinate the group ‘Nigerian LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same-Sex Laws’. The group was formed in 2011 when Nigerian Senate resuscitated interest in the homophobic bill entitled ‘Same Sex Marriage Prohibition’ bill, which seeks to criminalize not just same-sex marriage as the name implies, but also same sex relationship and activities including advocacy on LGBT rights or aiding and abetting anyone suspected of engaging in Same-Sex relationships. It stipulates 14 years jail term for anyone who engages in same sex relationship and a 10 year jail term for anyone who aids, abets same sex persons, it also criminalizes any advocacy on LGBT rights, (sign petition against this here). 

The ‘Jail the Gays’ bill personally affects me because I identify as a Bisexual.

In my book “Freedom to love all: Homosexuality is not Un-African”, I take a critical look at Nigeria’s ‘Jail the Gays’ bill. I dissect the many homophobic public statements attributed to lawmakers, religious leaders and politicians. And I make a case for LGBT Rights as Human Rights and debunk the myths surrounding homosexuality in Africa. 

Sexuality rights remain a controversial issue in many parts of Africa. It is not just a controversial issue but also a taboo subject. African societies do not provide enabling environments to discuss sexual orientation issues. Homosexuality is condemned by many African leaders as Immoral, Un-African and a ‘White man’s disease’. Many countries in Africa still criminalize homosexuality. Sodomy laws remain part of the criminal laws thereby making it legally possible to persecute sexual minorities. For example Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana all have laws under which homosexuality can be prosecuted. In South Africa, where the constitution recognizes same-sex relationships, gays and lesbians are often attacked, molested and persecuted for their sexual orientation.

My book protests the criminalization of LGBTS, and challenges human right activists to defend human rights of everyone irrespective of gender, religion or sexual orientation.

(via sonofbaldwin)