“After praying for me, the Pastor had gay sex with me” | Watch ‘Veil of Silence’, a documentary on the lives of LGBT persons in Nigeria

Few days before the infamous Same Sex Prohibition Act was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan, The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs), a sexual health advocacy organization based in Nigeria, filmed a documentary titled: Veil of Silence.

Veil of Silence – using stories told by LGBT persons living in Nigeria – sought to highlight the negative effect of the Anti-Same Sex Marriage law and how LGBT persons face increased and unjustified attacks because of the law. The documentary which was released on March 14, 2017 explored in detail the pains, suffering, experiences, and stigmatization faced by LGBTs persons living in Nigeria.

“To argue that the law is beneficial to all Nigerians is similar to arguing that a law that allows nine Nigerians to appropriate the property of one Nigeria is beneficial because at least it is something nine Nigerians want,” said prominent writer and lawyer, Ayo Sogunro.

“You cannot take away from one to satisfy the other. Laws are made to ensure equality amongst everyone,” Sogunro concluded.

The documentary also featured several experts – lawyers, advocates, medical practitioners, and more – speaking extensively on the adverse effect of the Anti-Same Sex Marriage law as well as the implication of the stigma faced by LGBT persons.
It was also highlighted in the documentary that violence and homophobia has increased since the law was passed by the Nigerian government – leading some experts to argue that the law is a form of state sponsored homophobia.

Watch the documentary here:

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