Introduction to sexual minorities:

Sexual minority refers a group whose sexual identity, orientation or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society (Groove 1966). The term was used as analogous to ethnic minority. The term was used primarily to refer to lesbians and gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)

The situation of sexual minorities (LGBTI persons) in Nigeria is very grave upon the passage of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014. The polity became heated for gender non-conforming persons in Nigeria. Incidences of human rights violations against LGBTI persons were heightened. Several persons lost their lives, some faced several degrees of assault and violence, some were unlawfully detained, some raped (on false claims of proffering cure to sexuality)

Sexual minority have been part of human existence all over the world. It is clear from written observations of ethnographers, traders and missionaries that people with alternative sexualities have existed in Africa for at least 400 years. There are records of same sex practices for around fifty Africa societies, along with the local words and understandings of different types of people and their behaviours (Oxfam, Break  Another Silence).

 LAWS PROSCRIBING SEXUAL MINORITY

  1.  The Criminal Code Law, section 214 and 217 criminalized same sex relationships with prison terms.
  2.  The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which was passed into law on the 7th day of January, 2014.
  3.  The Sharia Penal Code Laws sections 130, 131, 134 and 135 and the criminal code laws are used to justify molestation and abuses by both state and non-state actors for cases of perceived sexual preferences, and gender identity and expression.
  4.  As of March 2010, 78 countries had criminal penalties for samesex acts between consenting adults (Wade A, 2008).
  5. Prostitution, Lesbian, Homosexuality, operation of brothels and other sexual immoralities (Prohibition) Laws of Borno State, Nigeria.
  6.  Punishments range from imprisonment –for instance 2 years in Burundi 5years in Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana; Life imprisonment in Uganda- to death in Mauritania, Sudan, and parts if Nigeria.

IMPLICATION OF SOME PUNITIVE LAWS

Punitive laws against Sexual Minority generally impede specialized health care services and drives LGBTI underground. The laws also promote horrendous violence and murder due to criminalization of sexual activities of sexual minorities. Other implication of these punitive laws includes;

  1.  Loss of self esteem.
  2.  Attack by non-state actors (Mob action/jungle justice)
  3.  Inpunity by state actors
  4.  Exorcism
  5.  Stigma and Discrimination
  6.  Expulsion
  7.  Loss of jobs and carrier opportunities
  8.  Blackmail and Extortion
  9.  Indiscriminate arrest and detention
  10.  Forceful eviction
  11.  Suicide
  12.  Flight for safety
  13.  Drive into heterosexual relationships
  14.  Alcoholism
  15.  Substance abuse
  16.  Rape
  17.  Frustration

CONCLUSION

An environment that is free from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is necessary for all and in the interest of humanity.