Following the visit of President Buhari to the United States, The Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights (CDSR) feels it imperative to address the issues emanating from this visit, especially in light of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act and the passage of the American Marriage Equality Act.

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Kayode Gomes in an interview with Idris Deutsche Wella Germany in Abuja notes; CDSR appreciate our beloved President for the steps his making towards positive change in our dear country Nigeria. As human rights defenders we are not pleased that the issue of SSMPA was not discussed during the President’s visit to USA. In this light, it will be imperative that we distance ourselves between the issues of human rights protections and the gay marriage, especially as America now celebrates gay marriages as part of the legal system. Our concerns are not issues for the celebration and solemnization of gay marriages but that the fundamental and constitutional rights of all Nigerians are protected irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Mr. President’s statement saying ‘sodomy is against the Nigeria law and beliefs was not a face to face discussion with President Obama as publicized by the president’s spokesman. And if this particular topic is not important to Nigerians, why is it topping the headlines?

The Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights continues to assert the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2013 as infringing on the constitutional right of Nigerians who identify as LGBT and those who are allies including organization’s carrying out HIV prevention programming. What are highlighted through the legality of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act are the continued violations of the human rights of the Nigerian people. This the Nigerian nation does not need in the 21^st century. Criminalization does not in any way address the issue but compound social problem that we face as a nation and as a community within the nation. We feel the effect of this criminalization and stigmatization in the areas of health, safety and security. And these are our agitations not marriages.

So therefore, we urge that the President hears the agitations of Civil Society’s around the issues of human rights protections as we currently have in the country. As a coalition we know that it is necessary that we review laws that aids and strengthen the abuse of human and peoples’ rights by both state and non-state actors. For us, the issues are not just LGBT issues but HUMAN issues. And that means a developmental issue.

The change that we call for is not one of legalizing marriage between same sex oriented persons. But change that reflects that the constitutional and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians will be respected in accordance with International laws and treaties to which we are signatory as a country.