Nigerian public figures come out, challenge country’s inhumane treatment of LGBTQ+ people
Nigerian celebrities and public figures have been coming out as gay recently, and we love to see it!
Recently, popular Nollywood figure and social media “pot-stirrer”, Uche Maduagwu, came out as “proudly gay”!
The actor, who is known for taking jabs at problematic Nigerian politicians and celebrities with his rabble-rousing Instagram account, came out as gay last week. In a series of Instagram posts, the actor urged all of his followers to live their truths while calling on US president Joe Biden to call out and challenge Nigeria’s “inhuman laws against law-abiding homosexuals”.
In Nigeria, homosexual acts are still punishable by 14 years imprisonment and the death penalty. Even those who head human rights activities in the country have opposed same sex relationships, with Nigerian human rights charity bosses claiming that homosexuality “is an inch higher” than incest.
Police units in the country have also been found to be excessively violent toward Nigeria’s queer community, with many being beaten, tortured and sexually assaulted. The country is undoubtedly considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for LGBTQ+ people.
In a brave and fearless move, Maduagwu shared a photograph of himself with text that says “proudly gay”. He also told his nearly 90,000 followers: “Appreciate others and share only love.
“We need to respect people’s choices not to judge them.”
In a video, he said: “Don’t let anybody intimidate you. Come out, show your identity. You are who you are.”
“Don’t let anybody intimidate you,” he goes on to say, affirming that he is gay and proud.
Maduagwu’s brave and unapologetic announcement of his sexuality came only a week after the son of a former top Nigerian presidential aide, Bolu Okupe, also came out as gay.
Shirtless in tight rainbow-striped shorts, and holding a triumphantly waving LGBTQ+ Pride flag behind him, 27-year-old Bolu, who is currently based in Paris, announced to the entire world: “Yes, I’m gay AF.” It was a joyous and fierce declaration that was met with a standing ovation from most of the LGBTQ community.
However, his father, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former special assistant on media and publicity to ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo who stated in 2006 that being gay was “un-biblical and un-African”, was not impressed or pleased with his son’s announcement.
On Twitter, Doyin addressed his son’s coming out, writing: “I have been aware of this his new orientation for a while now.”
“He knows that as a Christian and a witness for Christ (an evangelist) I am vehemently opposed to homosexuality as it runs contrary to the avowed precepts of my Christian faith. For me, I look beyond the surface or the physical. Here I see a major spiritual challenge ahead but I know as my God liveth, this whole saga will end up in Praise to the Almighty Jehova who I serve day and night.”
Bolu Okupe did not only receive backlash from his father on social media, but from many others in his Nigerian community who implied that he would be dead if he were still in Nigeria. Others called him mentally ill and spiritually immoral.
Bolu fired back at some of the disapproval. “Your religion has turned you into a psychotic imbecile that you think it’s OK to kill people,” he said to one user. “First, you said to stay in France with your stupidity – sir, who do you think gave Africans Christianity?”
“You are delusional,” Boyu went on to say. “I hope one day you will educate yourself. If not, I don’t care – you will die ignorant and on the wrong side of history.”
We at Bear World Magazine commend Uche Maduagwu and Bolu Okupe for having the courage to live their truths! We support them, and we challenge the oppressive and violent laws against LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria.
