Rights and Wrongs

The year is 2010, as we count it. July 2010- and a woman is scheduled to be stoned to death for adultery.

Because scripture says so. The Bible, or the Quaran says so. Many times it is almost impossible to reason with a person who believes in the fundamental interpretation of writings, whether they are laws, or scripture, etc. Fact is, no one will doubt that almost nobody lives with the same values that people used to thousands of years ago, when those scriptures were written.

International outcry -- and the pleas of a devoted son -- seem to have saved an Iranian woman from being stoned to death for adultery.

But while Sakineh Mohammedie Ashitani has been granted a reprieve, she is not the only woman sentenced to be stoned for adultery in Iran. There have been at least six sentences carried out since 2006, says Ann Harrison, an Iran expert at Amnesty International in London.

Adultery is the only crime that carries such a penalty in Iranian law, she said.

The accompanying analysis of why and when the Iranian authorities stone or do not carry out the stoning is kind of interesting- especially, if you kind of extrapolate how the apparent will of god is carried out, or flaunted, in the eyes of some.

Oh, just a reminder, in Nigeria's nothern states which have Sharia Law, the interpretation of that is that Homosexual sex carries a 'death by stoning' sentence.

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Remember the Supreme court ruling in Britain that stated that people could get asylum in Britain because of persecution in their home countries for their sexual orientation? One of the guys who sued was from Cameroon. And, the country came out defending themselves... saying that there were no prosecutions nor persecution of gay Cameroonian. I happen to know that there have been a number of prosecutions, and that, in one particularly nasty case, a few guys were held in prison and one died, dragged to court while see, not getting adequate medical help. Yes, it was in Cameroon, and if I am not mistaken, the year was 2005. Their crime was that they were accused of homosexuality, and they were deemed too dangerous to be given bail. So, one lost his life.

But, because of the embarassment of this case in Britain, Cameroon decides to point fingers at gay asylum seekers. They just want the good life in Europe, and the US.

Cameroon's government has rejected the claim by a gay asylum seeker in the UK that he would face persecution if he returned home.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court in London ruled in favour of the man, and a similar claimant from Iran.

Homosexuality in Cameroon is punishable by up to three years in jail.

However, Cameroon's communications minister told the BBC homosexuals were free to behave as they wished in private without any harassment.

"Homosexuality is forbidden by the law, there is not doubt. But what I can emphasise is the fact that no homosexual is persecuted in Cameroon"," Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma said.

He told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the claimant was simply using the law as an excuse to claim asylum in Britain.

"Do you think he is the only gay person in Cameroon?"

It is a matter of fact that this excuse is used quite often in our countries. Minister Buturo in Uganda taunted Victor Mukasa (and other gay Ugandans) to go to Europe and leave Uganda, because that is where our sexuality is okay. Just this year, dear Pastor Dr Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa was regularly taunting us that Sweden was ready to accept us, because they were so unhappy at Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill. [Its funny, the taste of a man's Christianity might be how they treat enemies.... and Ssempa so regularly fails that test for homosexuals, I wonder why he deserves that label]

I would not really be surprised if Uganda came out and labelled gay Ugandan asylum seekers as only seeking for the good life. Of course we can be- but, it is a fact that fellow Africans are simply closed to the homophobia, hate speech and pain of 'living discreetly' in our closets.

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But, in lighter news... this cute South African DJ played Pastor Martin 'eat da poo poo' Ssempa's signature clip on a South African radio. Some listeners were not amused, and he was suspended. He has apologised...

Photo and excerpt from Mamba online.

Mukwevho, according a listener, was heard "laughing hysterically" at the tirade and asked a gay colleague, producer Junior Dikwa, if he engaged in the activities mentioned by the anti-gay pastor in the clip.

It emerged that DJ Mpho Maboi had earlier also played the clip on her show.

YFM will be facing the Broadcasting Complaints Commission today following a hate speech complaint from the listener. The two DJS have been suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings.

On Tuesday, Mukwevho apologised for the furore on Twitter: "I'd like to profusely apologise to everyone I offended during my show last month when I made reference to homosexuality. Sincere apologies," said the DJ.

Dikwa told the newspaper that his sexuality was no secret but he refused to comment on the matter.

“Hi Dikwa, I know you are gay. Do you do the things that Dear Pastor Martin Ssempa of Uganda accuses homosexuals of doing? He mentions 'eating da poo poo', pushing the hand 'deepaaa' into da anus, and others.... do you, gug?”

“Errr, dear Pastor, sorry, but your words are kind of offensive. Would you mind if I asked whether you masturbate? Do you go down on your wife??? I mean, like in giving her oral sex....

Is if offensive of me to ask you that? Is it? See how going into people's bedrooms can be quite embarassing? I don't want to imagine you having sex... the mental image is quite, err, disgusting.”

Have a good day, everyone.

gug

Nigeria gay activists speak out

This is the kind of thing the anti-gay agenda speaks out FOR.

A fact, I have lived with my man, the man I love, for 8 good years. I hope to go on living with him for as long as I draw breath. Of course we make love. We do have sex, as frequently, as hotly as we can. Why not.

This is what the kind of thing which the Nigerian Legislative assemblies want to criminalise. My act of making love is criminal, in Nigeria, as well as in Uganda. But, because they cannot break down my door and arrest me, catch me red handed as the law requires, they want to use other means. Check out the quotes I am picking from the article below.

 

• any of our friends who knows that we live together would be subject to punishment. For knowing that my lover and I have lived together all this long, in love and harmony. They have ‘aided and abetted’ our love.
  
  
• Our friends would actually have tougher jail terms than me. For aiding and abetting me and my lover.

• The definition for gay marriage is “as gay people living together”. So, there you are. A new definition. Just living together. Not having sex. Not caught kissing. Gay people are plain not supposed to ‘live together’

• Any gay organisation is criminal. Period. Told you once that gug is a criminal, didn’t I?

 

I cannot look with any respect to religious figures who support this sort of invasion of my privacy. In the name of ‘god’, ‘family’, etc they see my love as an attack on them. I am the charitable one here when I look them in the eye and declare that I truly despise them. They hate me. They want me in prison, in the name of love. Yes they do. And in the most hypocritical of ways declare they are full of love for me. Pharisees.

Check out the statements of support from Church and Church related groups for this invasion of the privacy of any gay Nigerian.

This is the kind of draconian thing the Scott Lively, Ssempa, Nsaba-Buturo and Langa are after. Bet you Nsaba Buturo is anxiously picking up points. A new law is soon coming for gay Ugandans.

Now, my lover is telling me that my dinner is getting cold. He loves me. And he does care about this stupid legislation, coming up in Nigeria. It will occur in Uganda, soon. But for now it isn’t. And my dinner is getting cold. So, let me put aside my ire and anger and enjoy the love that I have with my companion and love. At least, for now, I can enjoy it.

For now.

 

gug

 

 The article from BBC

Nigerian gay rights activists have told the country's lawmakers that a new bill to outlaw same sex marriage would lead to widespread human rights abuses. The new law would mean prison sentences for gay people who live together, and anyone who "aids and abets" them. The plea by activists was made to a public committee of the National Assembly which is discussing the bill.

It is already illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria but the new law would extend police powers to arrest suspects. "This bill is not necessary, we see no reason why people should be criminalised," Rashidi Williams, 23, of the Queer Alliance of Nigeria told the committee. "I did not choose to be gay. It is trial enough to live in this country, we should not create more laws to make us suffer," he said. Under the new law anyone who has "entered into a same gender marriage contract" would be liable to be jailed for three years. The bill defines a same sex marriage as gay people living together.

           

 

 If you are not careful and allow the institution of the family to break down, the consequences will be on all of us  Mayor Eze Nigerian National Assembly member

Anyone who "witnesses, abet and aids the solemnization" of a same gender marriage would face five years in prison, or a fine. Activists say the law does not make sense because anyone who aides and abets people to live together would face a tougher sentence than the couple concerned.

The law would make it easier for the police to arrest suspects, and criminalise anyone working in a human rights organisation that dealt with gay rights, they say.

 

Church groups spoke in favour of the bill, saying that gay marriage risked "tearing the fabric of society". "In the Bible it says homosexuals are criminals," Pius Akubo of the Daughters of Sarah church told lawmakers. Rev Patrick Alumake told the National Assembly the top leadership of the Catholic church in Nigeria supported the bill wholeheartedly. "There are wild, weird, ways of life that are affecting our own culture very negatively, we have people who either by way of the media or travelling around the world have allowed new ideas which are harmful to our nation and our belief," he said.

 

The bill's sponsor, House of Representatives member Mayor Eze, said the bill was necessary to protect the family. "If you are not careful and allow the family institution to break down, and the consequences will be on all of us," he said.

Children wearing T-shirts that said "Same sex marriage is un-natural and un-African", and "same sex marriage is an abomination" stood in the aisles of the committee room. Ekaette Ettang, of the Daughters of Sarah church who provided the T-shirts, denied they were inciting hatred against homosexuals. "We don't hate gay people, but this is the public's opinion and we have the right to speak," she said.

 

Activists say gay people in Nigeria face violence from their families and neighbours every day. Two years ago, a woman went into hiding in the northern Kano State after reports that she had organised a wedding for four women - which she strongly denied. Also that year 18 men were arrested in the northern city of Bauchi and accused of participating in a "gay wedding". A Sharia court dismissed the charges and they were charged with the lesser offence of vagrancy.

Hard to Believe. True?

We've No Gay Nor Lesbian Group, Says Chief Ojo Madueke

 

 

LAGOS - Nigeria appeared at the United Nations in Geneva before the UN Human Rights Council to defend its human rights record during the week.

 

Under its universal periodic review mechanism proceedure, in a session lasting three hours Chief Ojo Madueke presented an overview of Nigeria's human rights situation, addressing issues raised by members of the Council on the rights of women, death penalty and Nigeria's criminal justice system, the Niger Delta, extra-judicial killing and the state of prisons in Nigeria.

 

His presentation caused a stir when he informed members of the council that the government of Nigeria had been unable to locate persons of gay and sexual orientation, despite concerted efforts by his ministry to include this category of persons in the consultations on the human rights situation in Nigeria.

 

He further informed the audience that his ministry located only one woman of lesbian orientation and when invited to participate in a discussion on the rights of gay and lesbian persons, the lady informed his Ministry that she was pregnant.

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Well, well, well,

very, very hard to believe. And Nigeria has a total population in excess of 90 million.

But, come to think of it, Nigeria was mulling a law to outlaw gay marriage. Why?

And what is Akinola always shouting about? Sorry, Archbishop. You just want to become primate of primates. Doesnt mean there are gay nigerians, does it?

What about the 18 guys they arrested in Kano, Nigeria for attending a gay marriage? Maybe the man should have just gone to the court.

 All, they could have asked Jide's dad. He seems ready to testify...!

Jide, believe it or not, you just dont exist. Not officially anyway. What arrogance!

Come to think of it, I have written too much about gay Nigerians. The ones that the Chief failed to find.

Maybe all that is a lie- official position is, No Gay Nigerians.

Upside, there shouldnt be any laws against gay nigerians. But the MPs are a hard working lot. So, they must make the laws. Just in case gay nigerians start existing. What with all this contact with the decadent west.

 

Now, now, now, guys- defend yourself. Do you exist, or don’t you?

 

[Tongue in cheek; thanks be that even Nsaba Buturo would never dare to utter such a lie in Uganda…!] No gay Nigerians indeed!!! Ha ha ha ha ha…..!

gug

Assault on Human Rights

Interesting. In a bid to justify the 'banning of gay marriage', the Nigerian parliament is doing what it once tried to do before. Mounting a broad assault on the human rights of those who are gay or perceived to be gay. The perception is the key, to wipe out this menace.

A common theme of this kind of legislation. The sin, of homosexuality is perceived to be so bad that a whole range of provisions and assaults on basic human rights is mounted, in the name of prosecuting homosexuals. Happened in Uganda, continues to happen...

and now, in Nigeria again.

If this bill passes, I will be liable to prosecution in Nigeria for living with my lover- whether or not the Nigerian police can confirm that I have had homosexual relationships with him. (well, the point is not that I have sex whenever I can damn make it...! It is that the govt in this case is demanding that just the 'suspicion' of me being gay, living in a gay relationship, is enough to condemn me to prison.

Here is an assesment of the bill

Nigeria: Reject ‘Same Gender’ Marriage Ban

Bill Would Assault Rights of All, Reinforce Punishment for Homosexual Conduct

January 26, 2009

This bill masquerades as a law on marriage, but in fact it violates the privacy of anyone even suspected of an intimate relationship with a person of the same sex. It also threatens basic freedoms by punishing human rights defenders who speak out for unpopular causes.

Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch

(New York) - A bill before Nigeria's National Assembly to ban "same gender marriage" would expand Nigeria's already draconian punishments for homosexual conduct and threaten all Nigerians' rights to privacy, free expression, and association, Human Rights Watch said today.

In a letter to President Umaru Yar'Adua, leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate, the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, and other national, regional, and international bodies, the group urged legislators and the president to reject the bill. The letter urged the country's leaders to combat an environment of stigma and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Nigerians.

On January 15, 2009, the Nigerian House of Representatives voted favorably on the second reading of a bill "to prohibit marriage between persons of same gender." The bill would punish people of the same sex who live together "as husband and wife or for other purposes of same sexual relationship" with up to three years of imprisonment. Anyone who "witnesses, abet[s] and aids" such a relationship could be imprisoned for up to five years.

"This bill masquerades as a law on marriage, but in fact it violates the privacy of anyone even suspected of an intimate relationship with a person of the same sex," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "It also threatens basic freedoms by punishing human rights defenders who speak out for unpopular causes."

The House of Representatives referred the bill to its committees on Human Rights, Justice, and Women Affairs, which will hold a joint public hearing on it. If the House approves the bill on a third reading, it must then be approved by the Senate and President Yar'Adua.

Members of the House of Representatives reportedly justified the bill by citing links between "sodomy" and HIV and AIDS, making clear that they see the marriage ban as a deterrent to homosexual conduct, though research shows that HIV is most-often spread through heterosexual conduct in Nigeria. Article 214 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act already provides up to 14 years of imprisonment for anyone who "has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature." As Human Rights Watch documented in a December 2008 report, this law is a Victorian-era provision that remained after the end of British colonial rule.

The proposed law contravenes several provisions of regional and international human rights standards. Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights promises every individual equal entitlement to rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind; article 3 of the charter guarantees all individuals equality before the law; and article 26 states that: "Every individual shall have the duty to respect and consider his fellow beings without discrimination and to maintain relations aimed at promoting, safeguarding and reinforcing mutual respect and tolerance."

The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which authoritatively interprets the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and evaluates states' compliance with its provisions, found in the 1994 case of Toonen v. Australia that laws criminalizing consensual, adult homosexual conduct violate the covenant's protections for privacy and against discrimination. Nigeria acceded to the covenant without reservations in 1993.

In its letter, Human Rights Watch pointed to grave human rights issues raised by the proposed law:

* The evident intent of the new bill is to extend the already-existing penalties for homosexual conduct.

* Criminalizing "living together as husband and wife" further expands these punishments. They would no longer be limited to sexual acts between people of the same sex, but would potentially include mere cohabitation or any suspected "intimate relationship" between members of the same sex. Far less evidence would be needed for conviction, and prejudice and suspicion would be a basis for arrests. This threatens all Nigerians' right to private life.

* The proposed five-year sentence for those who "abet" a same-sex relationship is greater than the punishment stipulated in the bill for those who enter into a "same gender marriage." This provision could be used to punish anyone who gives any help or advice to a suspected "same gender" couple - anyone who rents them an apartment, tells them their rights, or approves of their relationships. Advocates, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders would be ready targets.

* Under the bill's provisions, anyone - whether Nigerian or foreign - who enters into a "same gender marriage," or simply has a "same gender relationship" in another country and wishes to continue it in Nigeria, could be subject to criminal penalties when they set foot on Nigerian soil. This provides the state with even broader powers to invade people's privacy.

Similar concerns were raised in a joint public statement issued by the Nigerian Bar Association Human Rights Institute, Nigerian nongovernmental organizations, and Amnesty International.

In 2006, Nigeria's minister of justice proposed a similar bill, seeking to criminalize not only same-sex unions but also public advocacy and associations supporting the rights of lesbian and gay people. Sixteen human rights groups - from Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world - had condemned the bill for violating the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly guaranteed by international law as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and for further jeopardizing the fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the country. That legislation failed to come to a vote in the National Assembly.

Nigeria has the world's third-largest population of people living with AIDS. Data collected by international health organizations suggests that 80 percent of HIV infections in Nigeria result from heterosexual sex, which discredits the equation between "sodomy" and AIDS as drawn by the members of the House of Representatives. The proposed bill would further hinder HIV and AIDS education and prevention efforts in the country by driving some groups affected by the epidemic further underground for fear of violence. In July 2008, the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) country report on Nigeria recognized that criminalization of vulnerable populations, including men who have sex with men, makes HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment efforts less accessible to these populations.

Violence against LGBT people is frequent in Nigeria. In September 2008, several national newspapers published articles criticizing a Christian church in Lagos that ministers to LGBT people: the articles included names, addresses, and photographs of members of the congregation and the church's pastor. Police harassment and threats forced the church to shut down and the pastor to flee the country. Some members of the congregation lost their jobs and homes and had to go into hiding, and several of them continue to be under threat of physical harm and harassment.

"This legislation would allow the state to invade people's homes and bedrooms and investigate their private lives, and it would criminalize the work of human rights defenders," said Gagnon. "It is not a ban on marriage, but an assault on basic rights."

and by the way, they have tried it before. And in a similar way. Here.

gug

Nigerian MPs vote to ban "immoral" gay marriages

To me, this is a political thing. Just as it was in Uganda when our constitution was changed to ban gay marriages. That was in 2005, when, officially, there were no gay Ugandans. It begged the question, why outlaw that which is not there?

But they did it.

So, now in Nigeria, they ban gay marriage. But why? Is it a bigger moral problem than the cancer of corruption that has beset that poor, oil rich nation? Of course, perceptions differ. I hear Uganda is soon becoming another oil rich country, with teeming corruption- and of course a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

What is your take on this, Gay Nigerian Man?

It is interesting how our countries differ, and yet are the same. You have Akinola, we have Orombi, for example!!!!


gug


By Tony Grew • January 19, 2009 - 12:50


The House of Representatives in Nigeria has voted unanimously in favour of a new legislation banning same-sex marriage.

The bill "prohibits marriage between persons of same gender, solemnisation of same and other matters related therewith."

Representatives said that both Islam and Christianity, the prominent religions in Nigeria, condemn homosexual acts.

The bill had been discussed at public hearings and was backed by citizens, one politician claimed.

Another, Igo Aguma, said:

"It is against my faith to have same-sex marriage.

"It is against our penal code to even engage in activities that are as quarrelsome as this between man and man, as well as women and women.

"It is time for us at this point in time to think back and look at the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

"The greatest means of transmitting this disease is through the act of sodomy. Young children are already victims of been lured into this cruel and unimaginable act. It is an act of perversion."

Leo Igwe, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Humanist Movement, said:

"This vote is a step backward for Nigeria's democracy and a breach of the nation's human rights obligations.

"Banning gay marriage will increase homophobia and attacks on lesbian and gay people. it will undermine Nigeria's efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among gays.

"At a time when many civilised nations are taking measures to abolish all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, we humanists call on President Musa Yar'dua not to sign this oppressive and retrogressive bill into law."

Nigerian law states that anyone who has "carnal knowledge of any person against order of nature or permits a male to have carnal knowledge of him" can be imprisoned for 14 years.

In 2007 the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill was debated in the Nigerian Parliament but did not proceed.

It called for imprisonment for any person who "goes through the ceremony of marriage with a person of the same sex", anyone who helps them and any gay clubs or organisations.

Back

A clash of the old and new-

or the hypocrisy.. cough, cough. But it is hard not to see it as hypocritical.

Hi, I am back, and why not revisit one old post which caused a lot of bad blood for me!

Remember the Nigerian superman with 86 wives who was given an ultimatum to divorce all but four of them? Poor man, he balked at that tall order from god. Or at least, from some messengers of god who believe that he was breaking the law.

Here.

Nigerian preacher with 86 wives gets court reprieve

By Tume Ahemba

LAGOS - A Nigerian court said an 84-year-old Islamic preacher with 86 wives should be released from jail after he was held for failing to heed a call by local leaders to divorce all but four of the women, his lawyer said.

The authorities in central Niger state had charged Mohammed Bello with "insulting religious" creed and "unlawful marriages" after local chiefs and Muslim leaders gave him a Sept. 7, 2008 deadline to comply with sharia, Islamic law, which allows a man to have no more than four wives.

He was jailed after he failed to comply.

"The Federal High Court granted Bello unconditional release yesterday," defence lawyer David Ikotun told Reuters by phone from Abuja.

Niger is one of 12 predominantly Islamic northern states that started a stricter enforcement of sharia eight years ago.

Bello, who lives with his wives and about 170 children in the town of Bida, had pleaded not guilty to the charges at an Upper Sharia Court in the state capital Minna. But the judge refused him bail and ordered he be remanded in prison.

Before his detention, the preacher had filed a petition at a Federal High Court in the Nigerian capital Abuja seeking to enforce his rights and to be protected from local chiefs and Muslim leaders who threatened to banish him if he failed to divorce 82 of his wives.

"The judge also ordered that the inspector general of police provide him with adequate protection to ensure that his fundamental human rights are not infringed," Ikotun said, adding that Bello was still in custody.

The Niger state government said it will appeal the judgment, the lawyer said.

The court adjourned Bello's hearing to Dec. 12.

His case has stirred controversy in Africa's most populous country of 140 million people, roughly half of whom are Muslims.

The preacher had received a number of death threats after Nigerian media began reporting on his situation in September, his spokesman said.

Interesting world we live in, huh?

The face of religion without compassion.

I come from a lively polygamous family. So, big deal with polygamy… well, only because my dear mom would have loved to be the only wife. But, it was not to be.

Me, well, gay, polygamous heaven? Sorry, my lover does not believe in that! I have had a few offers, guys who didn’t have a problem with a multi-swinging relationship, cough, cough! Come to think of it, the only guy who wanted to share me with his woman.. relationship didn’t work out.

Sigh, yes, I am back, in all my irreverent, questioning self.

A new question. I make my world day to day. I can live deeply in the closet. Marry a woman, have gay lovers on the side. I decided to live with my lover. I can have lovers on the side… or have a multiple lovers, a swinging lifestyle. I decided to live with my lover!

Children? [My dad is always pointedly reminding me of my duty to the clan…]

Hope you all have been fine,

I am back in cyber, and ready to annoy as ever!

GayUganda

Dad's Unhappy, Jide. Sorry that you have to pay the price

Ripples over theological varsity and Lagos gay church
Written by JAMES EZEMA & EBUN BABALOLA
Sunday, 12 October 2008

Father of the controversial pastor of Lagos gay church, Professor Olakunle Macaulay, tells the story of his son and assembly.

OVER the last thirty years, according to a 2007 homosexual welcoming church survey in the United States, in a report by gaychurch.org, gay Christian revival has grown and evolved into the dynamic influence it is today.

With gay Christian movement on massive growth with no slowing in sight, more and more self confessed homosexual priests are being ordained by some Christian denominations across the world. Recently, the first homosexual church in Nigeria, House of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church, celebrated its second year anniversary in Lagos.

Media reports on the gay church and on the anniversary celebration had sparked off reactions. A theological institution in Lagos, United Bible University (UBU), was linked with activities of the gay church and that was the basis of a press conference tagged “Knowing and Speaking the Truth” held by the school.

The atmosphere was full of speculations as media men took their seats. Would the man in the eye of the storm, Rev. Rowland Macaulay, surface? Was his father, the founder of the institute, going to own up and support his son’s homosexual activities? Will he deny the knowledge of all that happened? Is the institution the headquarters of the “evil church” also said to be located at Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos State as reported? These and more were questions running through the minds of some of the journalists who were seated at the venue.

But when Augustus Olakunle Macaulay, 71-year old professor of systematic theology and biblical studies, who is the director of studies of UBU and other officials were introduced to the journalists by the moderator, Mr. Chris Pemu, it became obvious that Rev. Rowland Babajide Macaulay, pastor of the gay church was not part of the press conference. As Prof. Macaulay put it, “I called you here to tell my own side of the story”.

The director of studies of UBU, which is said to be the second registered theological university in Africa, confirmed at the press conference, held at its 36/38, Yakoyo Road, Ojodu, Lagos, that his son, Rowland Macaulay, is homosexual and pastors a gay church. Like a hard pill to swallow and with a burdened heart of an affectionate father, he said, “Rev. Rowland Babajide Macaulay, the pastor of House of Rainbow in Nigeria is my second son.

I cannot deny him as a son. He is a gift of God. I accept him from God and every parent, no matter how good or bad a child may be, will never deny his or her own child. Rowland is my child, I cannot deny him as a son. I love him and respect him because he is intelligent and he is a very good son.”

Prof. Macaulay, an advocate of quality Christian theological education and who is the incumbent president of Association of Christian Theologians (ACTS) that regulate Christian theological education in Nigeria, was quick to state that though he loves and respects his son, he does not and can never approve of his homosexual activities nor have any thing to do with his church. Quoting from I Corinthians 6: 9-10 and Revelation 21: 8, he added that in accordance with the Bible, homosexual offenders will not inherit the Kingdom of God as their place is the fiery lake of burning sulphur.

“I have never had anything to do with homosexuality and lesbianism and will never, by the grace of God. The Bible condemns it and I believe and teach the Bible, so, I am completely against the practice of homosexuality and/or lesbianism”, Prof. Macaulay stressed.

He explained that the House of Rainbow had hired UBU’s auditorium like any other Christian group that rent the hall whenever they have need of it, saying that the institution had nothing to do with the homosexual church as reported in the media. “SARRMAC Auditorium hired by House of Rainbow for its second year anniversary, September 6 and 7 respectively is a commercial hall normally rented out to the public for occasions and not a regular place of worship for House of Rainbow as reported in some newspapers.

It has been in commercial use since the year 2000 and has been used by Christian churches and individuals for marriages, training seminars, prayer retreats. Some of the organisations and individuals that had used this place are numerous. Photocopies of receipts issued for the use of the hall in the past are here for you to see. 36/38, Yakoyo Road , Ojodu, Lagos is neither the headquarters of House of Rainbow nor a regular place of its worship. United Bible University is not a church. It has no church. It does not belong to any church or denomination. It is a non-denominational theological institute in Nigeria. It is biblical and spiritual in nature”.

House of Rainbow, he stated, paid N20, 000 for the use of the hall for two days, adding that he was away on a tour of theological institutes in Imo and Akwa Ibom states when the hall was used for the anniversary event by House of Rainbow under his permission. He also explained that the invitation sent to him by his son, Rowland, was for the anniversary of his church.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that I am not just a Christian leader and a Nigerian, I am a law-abiding citizen. I have served this nation in many different areas without any blemish. I tested the first car ever assembled by Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) and gave appraisal of its quality and reliability. I am a Christian and Christian leader and teacher without manipulating the Bible, teaching heresy or supporting any human doctrines”, Prof. Macaulay said.

When asked if he knew the church was for gay before allowing them use the hall, he said, “I did not know it was a church of gay. If I knew that is was a church of homosexuals, I wouldn’t have allowed it. I had impression that the church preaches Christ and that is what my son tells me every time. I tell him, ‘preach Christ, evangelise and bring people to your church’.

And he said, ‘Daddy, that is what I am doing.’ So, I believed that that was what he was doing until when the report came out. I confirm it here that House of Rainbow is a church of homosexuals.

When I came back from my tour of Imo and Akwa Ibom, I read all the newspapers that reported the case. I believe that God wants to do something very drastic. I strongly believe that this open report may affect me personally. I invited you the press to tell you my own side of the story, especially concerning myself and the university.

The university has nothing to do with the House of Rainbow and I, as a father too, has nothing to do with House of Rainbow. But as I mentioned in my report, I relate with my son and not with the church he controls. It is important for a father to do that”.

Asked about Rowland’s mother, Prof. Macaulay said, “The mother? Hmm. I think you want to send her to heaven very early. I mean, the mother is in London. I wish you could understand what my family is going through. The elder brother told me that he will never talk to him. I still have that problem to solve. It is a very serious thing. It is not something we can take lightly as we are talking now”.
He affirmed that the plaque mentioned in the various reports in the newspapers as displayed in the main hall of the university displays the appreciation awards offered to people who contributed to the growth of Christian Soul-Winners Worldwide from 1980 to 1994.

He explained that those mentioned in the media reports as listed in the plaque are aged or have even died, saying that Mrs. O. A. Adeboye who won the best award is now over 90 years old while Mr. A. O. Oduwole died over four years ago.

According to him, he got to know that his 43-year-old son, Rowland, is homosexual in 2003. But reports say Rowland has been gay since he was 14. Describing how he got to know of it he said: “I knew he was gay. I mean, being a gay does not mean you pastor a church of homosexuals. Being a prostitute doesn’t mean you should pastor a church of prostitutes. I think, as a pastor, you should pastor a church of God.

I got to know about my son being a gay in 2003 when I went to London. I went in to his room and I found some books that looked funny to me and I called his brothers and sisters, reported it to them. They knew about it before I knew but they were all afraid to tell me. But eventually I got to know.”

On steps he took when he got to know, Macaulay said, “I rebuked him as a father. I did not talk to him for about a month while I was in London. But when I considered that I will lose him to Satan if I allowed him to go, I called him back and ever since that time, I’ve been talking to him. Each time I see him, I talk and pray with him and I believe that one day he will be straight in his life.

As far as I am concerned, that is the only fault that I see in him. I want you to realise this, that since 2003 this thing has turned my family upside down. And I have never been a very very happy father ever since. I’ve been praying and counseling him. I believe strongly that, one day, God will touch him and he will change.”

Asked if his son’s background born in London and his upbringing has any relationship with Rowland’s gay disposition, Prof. Macaulay said, “That is a very good question. If I have five children and I trained them, and my first son is a chartered accountant with Cambridge University, and he doesn’t misbehave, and the third one is an engineer in London and he doesn’t misbehave, why do you want to blame me for just one person that is influenced? One person that is influenced by the Western world; that allowed all these things.”

He however said he had no regret allowing the use of UBU hall by the gay church. “I do not regret allowing House of Rainbow use this place for its second anniversary because I did it with clean mind. I do not support House of Rainbow as a church of homosexuals. I had the impression that House of Rainbow is a church for all people.”

Prof. Macaulay, while responding to a question on whether he had seen his gay son since he returned to Lagos, said, “That is a sad and difficult thing for a father to say. I have not seen my son. It is very embarrassing to me since the reports. I have not seen him and he has not called me.”

On whether his son is married, he simply said, “Rowland is my son and he has a 16-year-old son, who is in London. He got married. His son’s name is Tosin Macaulay. Believe me, it was in 2003 that I got to know this thing and you can see how frustrating that can be.” Macaulay, however, remained resolute, saying, “As far as United Bible University is concerned it would not lose its focus in achieving its God-ordained objectives.”

Rowland would appear close to his father as shown in this message to the father at 70:

“For me, Rowland, you are the best of friends, honest and outright youthful. All my life you challenged me and gave me confidence in many areas of my life. We continue to have fun with life. I remember 2002, when we co-hosted Friends in Harmony from South Africa when they toured Nigeria. You trained me in many disciplines to be a good boy, an obedient servant of God. You trained me and gave me the skill to be a good father.

“The reflection shows in your grand son, Tosin who also wishes you all the best love for this happy occasion. He tells me that he still wants to play football with you. Both of us remember spending time with you on a ministerial trip to Wales, we watch you do what you love doing, preaching, teaching and chatting with people.

Our lives together have been a great blessing and we are too happy to wish you well for your 70th birthday. What more can we say about our grandfather and father; many words describe you, friendly, jovial, humorous, serious, focused, great achiever, blessed, honoured, precious, youthful, lovely, lovely and many more. More love, more power.

Bravo, Rev Macaulay

Nigeria: Homosexuality is Totally Unacceptable - Clerics

Posted to the web 13 October 2008

Sam Eyoboka

EMINENT Nigerian Christian clerics have continued to comment on the controversial House of Rainbow, purportedly a church organisation piloted by a self-confessed homosexual, Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay.

The church is described as the first sponsored attempt by any Nigerian cleric to openly counter efforts of Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola, Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), who had led other Anglicans to vehemently oppose the ordination of Gene Robinson, an openly confessed gay bishop, in November 2003.

Akinola, as the bishop of Abuja, is the current Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria. He is the chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa and chairman of the South-South Encounter of the Anglican Communion which has continued to insist on Bible principles and the teachings of the apostles (apostolic tradition) in a particular way.

As one of the leaders of the Global South within the Anglican Communion, Akinola has taken a firm stand against theological developments which he contends are incompatible with the biblical teachings of Christianity, notably setting himself against any revisionist or liberal interpretations of the Bible and, in particular, opposing same-sex blessings, the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals or, indeed, any homosexual practice.

He is the leader of some conservatives throughout the Anglican Communion including the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. One of his first actions as primate was to get together 400 bishops, priests, lay members, and members of the Mother's Union to elaborate a vision for the Church of Nigeria under the chairmanship of Chief Ernest Shonekan.

At the end of deliberations, they articulated a vision for the church, which include: "The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) shall be bible-based, spiritually dynamic, united, disciplined, self supporting, committed to pragmatic evangelism, social welfare and a Church that epitomizes the genuine love of Christ."

Based on that vision, Akinola has been in the forefront of the fight against the weird intrusion of homosexuality into the Christian faith. Just like most parts of the world were shocked with that ordination, Akinola has earned accolades from around the world for his doggedness in condemning the practice; at one point threatening to lead other African countries out of the Anglican fold if the practice of gay ordination continued.

Time Magazine named him among the 100 most influential persons in the world. So when, Rev. Macaulay appeared in the scene with a gay church in Nigeria, many Nigerians who had thrown their weight behind Akinola saw the move as a sponsored plot by the ECUSA to undermine the efforts of the Nigerian primate who recently led Conservative Anglicans to hold a global gathering to affirm their orthodox Christian roots in Jerusalem.

Participants of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) gathered in the Israeli city just one month before the once a decade Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Church. Speaking in an interview, the national president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, urged all Nigerians to rise up against any such ungodly practice in any part of the country, because it is an attempt by some pervert minds in the country who are being sponsored from other climes to undermine the enviable gains made so far by our Anglican brother, Primate Peter Akinola.

Describing the current action of some individuals in the Christendom in the country as deplorable the PFN helmsman said, "It (gay church) is totally unacceptable in any part of the country. It is coming from the very bottom of the pit of hell and there is no way we can accept everything from the West, hook, line and sinker.

Our people must grow up and shun some of these ungodly practices from the West because the resultant effect will not be palatable to any one of us, whether Christian or not. It is obvious that the devil is trying to neutralise the gains our brother in the Anglican Church, Primate Peter Akinola, had made since the controversial ordination of a gay bishop in the US in 2003."

According to him, there is every indication that those in the Anglican fold who are not happy with the position of the Nigerian primate may be behind these latest moves to establish a gay church in Nigeria in order to undermine the rising profile of Archbishop Akinola.

Prof Macauley, the gay pastor, Roland Babajide Macauley's father

That is how the devil works. He will do everything possible to break the ranks of the Conservative Anglicans who have taken as stand to defend the Holy Scriptures and weaken the authority of the Nigerian primate. For quite a while now when the Pentecostal Movement had gained a lot of ground here and since the gay controversy broke in 2003, Nigeria has suddenly become a very strong ground for the spread of the gospel, and definitely the devil would not be happy with such a development."

Explaining that there are two dimensions to the issue, he maintained that there is the spiritual dimension as well as the human dimension, stressing "As a nation we have quite a load of challenges to tackle and we cannot afford to add homosexuality to that long list. For us to understand the mind of God, we need to go to the very basics in the Book of Genesis.

Before He created Man, He said let us make man in our own image. He then made Man and said it is not good for man to be alone and He went ahead to create a help meet for him, the woman. To understand the mind of God therefore is to say that He did not create two men but instead He created Man and woman so that they can procreate. If God wanted, He could have created Adam and Steve, but in His unequaled wisdom, He created Adam and Eve," Oritsejafor further argued.

According to him, those canvassing homosexuality today, were brought into the world by women who travailed for nine months or more before bringing them forth, so why will any man in his right senses now think they can do without the natural order of God. Stating that Nigeria can do without such perverts who can drag us back in our current developmental process, he added that the people of this country should rise up and challenge any appearance of such evil, stressing that it is even uncultural for an African man to sleep with a man.

"From some of the reports, I have read so far, I hear that the so called Rev. Macaulay even has a 16-year-old son. How did he get that son? Is it from a fellow man-wife? It is most unfortunate that our people, in their inordinate quest for wealth, resort to several anti-social practices," Pastor Oritsejafor said.

Also speaking recently at a thanksgiving service organised by the Delta State government in Warri, the state chairman of CAN, Archbishop Goddowell Avwomaka, condemned the reported presence of gay church in the country, saying that every Nigerian has a responsibility to pray against any such appearance of evil in any part of the country.

The CAN chairman, who was asked to lead the congregation to pray for peace of the country, lamented what he described as the infiltration of satanic practices, adding that such can only be seen as signs of the end times.

The Church and Homophobia

Nowadays, in Uganda, sermons in mosque and church, Anglican and Catholic usually talk about homosexuality. We are painted stupid, ugly, bad, killer, un-african, evil, and all sorts of things. Anyone who defends us comes out as bad, simply because they have defended us. Why is this so?

With Ssempa, I sincerely believe that the problem is repressed sexuality. From a lot of things that he says, it is quite clear that the guy has a problem with sex. From thinking that masturbation is evil (one of the worst), to abstinence campaigning and crowning homosexuality with evil. He is obsessed with homosexuality. Too obsessed for him to be free of it. Poor guy.

But the Anglican church?

There is an atmosphere of siege in the kuchu community here. With so many problems in our lives, we cannot understand why our sexuality has become such a huge issue. Politics? The African princes trying their best to take over, a coup within the church?

They tried, and failed. Or I think they did.

But we are paying the price. The new scapegoat for all the ills of society.

Its frustrating, but a real price. The bill in Nigeria which Akinola gave his blessing was so harsh it would have made it a crime for three ‘homosexuals’ to meet and talk. The erosion of their human rights, in Akinola’s view, was ok. Because they were homosexuals. Less than humans. So it was ok to let the legal might of the state be concerned with these iniquitous beings.

Now from our Church of Uganda's Orombi.

I knew that he was one of the schismatic leaders. But I had not heard this level of rhetoric from him. Even when we came out last year in August, I know that that Sunday, most Pentecostal and Anglican and Catholic churches preached about homosexuality. But I didn’t hear of him expressly talking about homosexuals. But he did have quite a number of surrogates. The guys who had us thrown out of the People’s Space at the Commonwealth Meeting. They were some of his bishops. With the muscle power of Ssempa’s Brown Shirts. That was the moment I did understand that these guys hated, simply, and virulently. And I was afraid.

Let me examine some of the points I have against the anti-gay church people in Uganda.

I simply cannot dialogue with the Moslems. The Mufti proposed a concentration camp: marooned and exiled on an island in Lake Victoria. He said it three times, just to make sure that we understood him. Yes we did. No dialogue there.

The Catholics?

Funny thing is that, despite the fact that they are known to be anti-gay, in Uganda the Catholics have not had much beef in fueling the homophobia to current levels. They are opposed. That is known, but they do not need to go out and prove how anti-gay they are.

The anti-gay Anglicans. And the Pentecostals, with Ssempa’s lead. Those are the forces of homophobia in Uganda. They are determined to so tar us with evil that they are going out of their way to paint us devils. Catholics are moderates in this account of wolves.

When one of their number (Anglicans), Bishop Ssenyonjo dared to demur, he was defrocked, and later excommunicated.

Yet these guys have consistently made sure that they do not reach us, that they do not talk to us, that we are pariahs to them. There is no dialogue.

So, they have used this hate to for their political needs. They want to ‘lead’ the church. Whatever. But in their strategy plan is making us evil in the sight of all and sundry.

They started with labeling us un-African. Till we reminded them of those ancestors of ours who were gay and African. And the fact that homosexuality in Africa predated Christianity.

Then they have gone out of their way to prove how bad, how evil we are. They hold a huge audience. Our people, in their poverty, do cling to religion. The church and mosque are huge factors in their lives. Thanks be that most of them believe in traditional faiths besides the ‘official’ beliefs.

But when week after week, in pulpits from minarets to church, homosexuality is held out as the modern day evil of all evils, there is bound to be a reaction from the populace. In Uganda, there is no dialogue on sexuality. There is a monologue from the church about the evils of our sexuality. And believe me, people are beginning to believe it. After all, who dares to come out and say they are homosexuals in Uganda?

So, according to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, homosexuals ‘want to kill him’’ I don’t wear my collar when I am in countries which have supporters of homosexuals’

‘They can harm anybody who is against them. Some of them are killers. They want to close the mouth of anybody who is against them’

The accusations from the prelate are many. We, homosexuals, are killers, murderers. We want his scalp. We want him silenced. We are in 'outside' countries, and not in Uganda. And we are offering wealth to convert the children. And the brave holy church is going to be out there to protect the poor defenceless Africans.

Besides the untruths which are in these statements, and the need that he feels to justify his leadership of the Anglicans, the fact is that he is whipping up hatred towards gay people in Uganda.

He is a very important person. And he is a ‘spiritual’ leader. And when he feels that he needs to create a scapegoat that is defenceless and abhorred by the populace, it is very easy, and very sharp of him to choose homosexuals in Uganda. Because our ability to fight back is very, very limited. Our people simply believe that what the pastor says in church is the fact. Is truth. Even I, am anonymous. Only in cyber do I have a measure of freedom.

So, the church, has chosen to fight us with its tremendous power. We have no option but to fight back.

Ridiculous, but true. And even those of us who say we have no faith cant but realise what a self appointed enemy the church is, against us.

And the church has allied with the state. The president, over and over again has lauded their ‘fight’ against ‘homosexuals. The traditional leaders are joining in the campaign.

Will we survive? How far will they go?

I have no answer to those questions. But I know I am in a fight, an unequal one. Well, they risk reputation, for me it is life, so, who has more to lose? But I sure as hell (is it sure?) need to realise that it is war.

GayUganda

PS. This almost refused to be written. I was too emotional at first, but remembering what is at stake, I could not NOT write it.