Nigeria adopts strict new anti-gay law; help stop Uganda from doing the same

A strict anti-gay bill became law in Nigeria earlier this week.

Per Reuters (my former employer):

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalizes same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.

The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex 'amorous relationships' and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.

Meantime, homophobes in Uganda are trying to adopt their own draconian anti-gay law. The Ugandan Parliament has already passed a bill that would carry a punishment of life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality".

In fact, the Ugandan bill goes beyond outlawing homosexual behavior.

Amnesty International summarizes the bill's other provisions and implications as follows:

• A person who provides HIV counseling could be convicted of "promoting" homosexuality.
• A person who officiates a same-sex marriage could be put in prison for life.
• A person suspected of being gay could face forced HIV testing.

If enacted into law, this bill would send a clear message that people who violently attack others because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation will not be held accountable for such attacks.

This law will go into effect as soon as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signs it.

What you can do:

>> Click here to urge President Museveni to veto the bill.