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Iseyin, nigeria gay club
The BBC's Tomi Oladipo visits a secret club for gay Nigerians, who are living in fear as lawmakers consider a bill which would ban such gatherings, along with same-sex weddings.
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This was a queer event and in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships or public displays of affection are illegal, anything that is dedicated to embracing this culture is in danger. The organisers of the Fola Francis Ball — named in honour of a transgender woman who died last year - only released the venue details with just hours to go before it opened.
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Welcome to queer nightlife in Nigeria where, on weekends, apartments turn into gay clubs, barred with passcode-guarding doors to protect against homophobes.
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Abuja — The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill signed into law on January 7, , by President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria is a sweeping and dangerous piece of legislation, Human Rights Watch said today. The law criminalizes public displays of affection between same-sex couples and restricts the work of organizations defending gay people and their rights.
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In Northern Nigeria, under the Sharia Law, these offences can lead to capital punishment. In Southern Nigeria, you can be landed with a year prison term. The SSMPA also imposes a year prison sentence on anyone who registers or participates in gay clubs or organisations, as well anyone who shows support for the activities of such.
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Last month, the Nigerian government passed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act , which criminalised gay clubs and meetings. In fact, this morning there have been unconfirmed reports of gay people being arrested , beaten up and robbed in Oyo state, south-western Nigeria.
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Iseyin is the fourth largest built environment in Oyo state, after Ibadan, Ogbomoso and arguably Oyo. Iseyin is also known as the home of Aso Òkè. Aso Òkè or Òfì is a popular traditional fabric mostly used for ceremonies amongst the Yoruba people of Nigeria. [8] Other industries located in Iseyin include: [citation needed] British.
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Both men and women are criminalised under the law. Same-sex sexual activity is also criminalised at the state level through sharia law, under which the maximum sentence is death by stoning.
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A burgeoning underground ballroom culture offers a safe place for people to express themselves.
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Under the new bill, same sex marriages would carry a 15 year prison sentence, and individuals who witness or help these couples would face ten years in jail themselves. About 50 people, mostly men, crowd around the front porch of a social club in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, cheering on a shy-looking young man, who proceeds to sing a ballad.
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