Bisi Alimi is an outspoken gay Nigerian who
is an activist for gay rights. He is currently
engaged to be be engaged to a white man.
He posted an atirticle on the Guardian
talking about how homosexuality is part of our culture
Some excepts as as follows: “The idea that
homosexuality is ‘western’ is based on another
western import – Christianity. True African
culture celebrates diversity and promotes
acceptance.”
“In digging up facts I found that, while many
Africans say that homosexuality is un-African,
African culture is no stranger to homosexual
behaviours and acts.”
“For example, in my local language (Yoruba),
the word for “homosexual” isadofuro, a
colloquialism for someone who has anal sex.
It might sound insulting and derogatory,
however, the point is there is a word for the
behaviour. Moreover, this is not a new word; it
is as old as the Yoruba culture itself.”
“In the northern part of Nigeria, yan daudu is
a Hausa term to described effeminate men
who are considered to be wives to men. While
the Yoruba word might be more about
behaviour than identity, this Hausa term is
more about identity. You have to look and act
like a yan daudu to be called one. It is not an
identity you can just carry. These words are
neutral; they are not infused with hate or
disgust.”
Bisi Alimi and his husband-to-be
“When I have challenged people who are anti-
gay, many have said that it is not our culture.
However, when you probe further, they argue
that homosexuality is not in the Bible. But the
Bible is not our historical culture. This shows
there is real confusion about Africa’s past.”
“As a Nigerian gay man, these myths about
homosexuality create a dark cloud over my
head. They leave me trying to navigate my way
through self-denial, rejection, love and the
burden of guilt. While to many people the
assertion “homosexuality is un-African” might
just be words, to all African LGBT people it
puts our lives in imminent danger.”
“It is used in South Africa to rape lesbians. It
is used to pass laws and to jail, threaten or
kill gay rights activists. It is used to
dehumanise LGBT people across Africa and
legitimise the hate that we face. It is the
reason I receive death threats, which ultimately
drove me into exile from my home in Nigeria.”
“To stop all this, we need to start by re-telling
our history and remembering our true African
culture, one that celebrates diversity, promotes
equality and acceptance, and recognises the
contribution of everyone, whatever their
sexuality.”
is an activist for gay rights. He is currently
engaged to be be engaged to a white man.
He posted an atirticle on the Guardian
talking about how homosexuality is part of our culture


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