By Theresa Moses
On January 7, 2014, the former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill into law.
The law criminalises public displays of affection between same-sex couples and restricts the work of organisations defending gays and lesbians, and their rights.
Six years down the line, LGBT rights are regularly violated. On the flip side, homosexuality remains illegal in Nigeria, and any violator could risk a maximum 14-year prison sentence under the country’s traditional legal system.
Unfortunately, not much has been done or any conversation held about their rights and health being violated or stigmatized. As a result, they are often driven underground. In fairness, has the media played its role in educating people about the new norms of gender and sexual acceptance? Available data shows that not much has been done.
Sexuality is about one’s identity. Individuals who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) have a right to acceptance of who they are and an equal right to every basic necessity ‘entitled’ to male and female genders.
Hence, a boy-child can feel more at ease dressing in pink and acting like a girl than his actual gender. And he deserves to be accepted for who he chooses to be.
However, it falls within the purview of the media as part of its traditional role information and education, especially schools and tertiary institutions on the need to safeguard lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from harm, ensuring that their freedom (kids) to participate in activities and groups like other students is protected, and ensuring that teachers who identify as LGBT and who might act as positive role models for their students are not also subjected to discrimination.
The media must speak for every segment of the population and social group, and educate the public on the acceptability of all genders. Individuals’ rights to freedom shouldn’t be violated, and everyone should receive equal and fair treatment in society.
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