Anti-Gay Laws, Culture, and the Criminalisation of Homosexual Conduct

Abstract

The paper discusses the relationship between culture and religion and how these concepts influence the criminalisation of homosexual conduct in Nigeria. The paper begins with a brief introduction of the concepts of religion and culture in the Nigerian context. Then, the paper examines the influence of the same sex sexual relations among persons of same etiology and the persecution of the LGBT community in the country. Finally, it discusses how Nigerian anti-gay laws constitute a discrimination against sexual minorities. This paper recommends the immediate repeal of all anti-sodomy laws in Nigeria as well as the discontinuance of any pending prosecution of offenders.