Trembling she holds her tummy
Knowing this fourth baby coming
Will be her making or breaking
She moans, her world hanging
Groaning she strains
Not just from labour pains
With one more push, I came panting
With just a look, she screamed fainting
A reprieve from the moment of truth
Husband in-laws with new wife struts
Buckle up; it’s going to be a rough ride
Because I am a girl
In the kitchen I am taught to cook
While the boys read from the books [Read more…]
Killing in the name of God is unfortunately as old as the first time Man created God in his own image. Boko Haram, the Islamic terrorist group against western education in Nigeria struck again early this morning. According to reports: 
Armed Islamic militants have killed 29 students and an English teacher in an attack on a boarding school in Yobe State in northeastern Nigeria.
Survivors being treated for burns and gunshot wounds said some students were burned alive in the attack, which allegedly took place early Saturday and which is believed to have been carried out by the radical Boko Haram Islamic group.
Gunmen stormed the premises of Government Secondary School in the town of Mamudo in Yobe State at around 3am, setting fire to parts of the complex.
Dozens of children from the 1,200-student school escaped into the bush and have not been seen since, reports Sky News
It is said that those who make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. These horrible people are living testimony to this fact. Pigs that are for no just reason, much loathed in their various Holy books, are definitely better than those cold blooded murderers; after all pigs don’t kill for any imaginary Sky daddy.
BTW, people who want to stone LGBTs to death in the name of their God are no better than these Boko Haram terrorists. [Read more…]
I love attending Pride. It might have a lot to do with the fact that I come from a country where staging anything close to Pride would get you stoned to death with no remorse from your murderers. In fact, the State would gladly decorate your murderers with state medals, the pastors would declare them worthy warriors for Christ and everyone would blame you for daring to flaunt your evil lifestyle choice! 
I value freedom, I value democracy, I value equality, I believe diversity is the natural spice of life and equality trumps all. It therefore saddens me that in many countries, people would be killed if they dared to stage what is now taken for granted in some parts of the world; Pride.
Pride is a protest; yes some think it has lost a lot of its protest value and now just another avenue for big organizations to make profits. Some say they do not attend pride anymore because it seems it is now all about showing off, getting drunk and strutting on the street half naked. Some are angry that the new generations who now freely participate in pride do not understand or value the price the older generation paid for them to be able to stage a pride.
I think pride should still be enjoyed by the old and new generation. The mere fact that you can freely stage a pride on the street with guaranteed state protection is something to celebrate. It was not always the case. Such diversity, such freedom, such protection needs to be celebrated not boycotted. Bear in mind that it is not yet Uhuru for sexual minorities even in UK. Same-sex couples are still fighting for marriage equality. Homophobia still exists and transsexuals can still get killed on the streets of London. [Read more…]
What a sad society we live in with people valuing appearances more than content. Hypocrites who in their own actions and judgments are no less racist than Zimmerman who shot a black boy because he thought his black skin did not belong in his precious white neigbourhood. Now, those racists think Rachel Jeantel’s accent and mannerisms do not belong in their posh court.
Rachel Jeantel was herself in the courtroom when she bravely stood up to testify as a crucial witness in the court. Even though It was not a spotlight she wanted, it was not a scenario she hoped for, it was not even a publicity she embraced, yet she did her duty and stood up in that courtroom to ensure justice or at least the semblance of justice for a friend whose life was cut short by the bullet of someone who felt ‘threatened’ by his skin colour. Rachel Jeantel has every right to be herself in that courtroom. 
And shame to all the self loathing blacks who says she gives a black woman a bad name. Her accent, her weight, her mannerisms, her skin or hair is not what is on trial; it is the murderer of her friend that is on trial. You should be ashamed of yourself for being diverted by such trivial as her weight or accent which btw is none of your business.
Unfortunately some black people don’t get it too. The fact that she does not speak perfect English in a ‘polish’ accent does not make her a bad representation of Black American women. I have not watched her court testimony in full, but nothing, absolutely nothing justifies the terrible image many including some blacks are painting of her just because they think she exemplifies the stereotypical Black “hood rat”.
This 18 year old young woman should not be expected to suddenly transform into another person just because she is taking the witness stand to testify in the murder case of her 17 year old black friend Trayvon Martin, who was murdered by a racist. [Read more…]
Many Nigerians were angry (justifiably so) when President Goodluck Jonathan deployed soldiers to disperse peaceful protesters 
across the country. The right to organise peaceful protests was violated by a civilian government; many called it a breach of constitutional rights, with emphasis on the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression.
This violation and highhandedness must be thoroughly condemned, however, while condemning the government; honestly ask yourself the following questions-
It is said that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. I am aghast at the sheer volume of violent comments and threatening messages that advocates of LGBT rights receive daily. [Read more…]
(First Published in January 2012 during the fuel subsidy removal saga)
I cannot even muster enough energy to be angry at President Goodluck Jonathan; he leaves me with a sense of shame as a Nigerian! Whenever I acknowledged him as President, I immediately apologize because I feel a great sense of shame for presenting such a nincompoop to sit amongst world leaders. It is said that followers deserve the kind of leaders they get, maybe Nigerians deserve a Goodluck Jonathan, afterall only fools elect visionless buffoons as leaders.
I was never excited about the elections that heralded Goodluck Jonathan in as president, in fact I couldn’t even bring myself to discuss it because there was simply nothing to discuss. There were no worthy LEADERS among the key contestants, no meaningful manifestos to debate, nothing to stir a vision, nothing close to a mission beyond the contestants’ mission to OCCUPY ASO ROCK! Nigerians now want to OCCUPY STREETS, was it not on the same streets that they lined up to vote in a Goodluck Jonathan?
Not so long ago, Nigerians occupied streets to campaign for Goodluck, voted in a Goodluck in the hope that some goodluck would rub off on them, now they want to shake off this goodluck, how funny! Nigerians are slowly waking up to the realization that to shake off this “goodluck” syndrome, one must confront reality, go back to the streets and reclaim the land that was gladly but foolishly given away in a ballot box in exchange for ‘goodluck’ charm, like some of our ancestors sold their brothers into slavery in exchange for a mirror and a bible! [Read more…]
I do a double take whenever I hear the words “Your coming out is threatening the safety of closeted gays” and the addendum “Protesting ‘Anti Same Sex’ bills and homophobic behavior is a threat to closeted gays, please stop the protests”.
Really, I mean, really?
Recently on a facebook group, an African who identifies as queer recently called me selfish for daring to come out as bisexual and for protesting against oppression of LGBTs. She suggested that African lesbians and gays should be discrete and not flaunt their love-life. Well, she wasn’t the first African to suggest this ‘do not flaunt your same-sex love life’ bit. It really is sad and that is why I have decided to write a blog post about this issue.
What exactly qualifies as flaunting ones’ love-life?
Is it that goodbye kiss at the train station?
The hand-in-hand walk you take with your lover when the weather permits?
Or the dance you have together at that office party?
I see heterosexuals do all these every day and no one ever accused them of flaunting their love life, in fact it is often referred to as ‘celebrating their love’ but when it is a same sex couple, it suddenly becomes ‘flaunting’.
Also, to the best of my knowledge, no lesbian, gay, bisexual or Trans has ever stoned anyone to death for being heterosexual. However many LGBTs risk this possibility in my beloved country, Nigeria, where it is actually legal in the northern part of the country to stone homosexuals to death.
Why should my having a love life and expressing my love openly like every other normal adult, be considered as ‘flaunting’ simply because my lover and I are of the same sex? Why should my being in love with a same-sex adult and celebrating my love lead to 14 years imprisonment or public stoning?
More importantly, why should closeted gays try to stop me from being OUT and PROUD?
Why the censorship? [Read more…]
It is said that followers get the leaders they deserve, so it is not surprising that Nigerians are led by hypocrites.
According to National Mirror: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/no-going-back-on-anti-same-sex-bill-mark/
“No going back on anti-same sex bill –Mark”
“Senate President David Mark has said the decision of the National Assembly to ban same-sex marriage in the country was irreversible. Mark, according to a statement, said this at a dinner hosted in his honour by the Nigerian Community i
n Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday.”
‘The Senate president explained that the bill, which has been approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, would not in any way infringe on the rights of Nigerians.’
He said: “The law against same-sex marriage is an approval of the wishes of the generality of Nigerians who are desirous of living within our cultural bounds. “The law is not designed to infringe on the human rights of Nigerians in any way.
Hmm.. he probably does not consider Nigerian Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans as Nigerians or even Humans.
“Also, wherever you go in our country today, our people are completely in support of the National Assembly because the practice of same-sex, as you all know, is alien to us.”
I wonder if the famed orgies with his wives and mistresses are not alien to Africa. [Read more…]
ORIGINAL INTERVIEW LINK- http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/our-senators-are-hypocrites/104344/
(BTW, you totally should read the wacky comments on the original interview link)
Yemisi Ilesanmi describes herself as ‘proudly bisexual’. After gaining her LL.B from the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2004 (four years after she should have qualified and 10 years after she was initially admitted as a student), she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2005. Asked about the time gap, she chuckles in recollection, ‘Well I had some issues with the university authorities’. Pressed further she says, ‘Weeell, we ‘kidnapped the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omole! We had only dirty, brown water coming out of our taps in the halls of residence and we were expected to drink that?!’ her voice rising an octave. ‘Well, we thought we should just give him a dose of his own medicine so we “took” him to spend quality time with us!’
If by now it has not been clear that the interviewer is speaking with a non-conformist, it is now.
Ilesanmi worked with the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja from 2002 until recently. Aged 36, she holds a Masters of Law Degree from the University of Keele, UK in Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights. Now resident in the United Kingdom, this trade unionist, human rights activist and poet sent in a position paper to the Senate hearing last October on the anti-same sex marriage bill. She was however unable to come down to Nigeria to make her presentation personally but says she now plans to do so for the House of Representatives public hearing.
The coordinator of the campaign group Nigerian LGBTI in Diaspora Against Anti-Same Sex Laws, she has travelled extensively as guest speaker to promote gender and youth issues, labour rights, sexuality rights and international human rights. [Read more…]
I often receive some very ignorant comments from believers, mostly Nigerian Christians who pompously inform me that I am going to burn in hell for not accepting Jesus Christ as my personal saviour. They claim if I do not stop campaigning for equal rights for all, which basically mean, I should stop the ‘gay agenda’ of promoting lesbians, gays , bisexuals and transsexuals as PERSONS entitled to human rights, I will feel the wrath of their all merciful, all loving but obviously vengeful and insecure in his sexuality God. Oh, how they love calling me a fool because their precious bible claims anyone one who says there is no God is a fool. However, I must say, this comment on my fb wall by a deluded Christian is a prime example of just how senseless many Nigerian Christians are.
Yemisi Ilesanmi the anti Christ. I am sure that you are a vessel of the devil in this end time but we are specially annoited and commissioned to frustrate and fail you.
OK, let’s forget that he got the spelling of ‘anointed’ wrong, although that is quite funny because that word is always on the lips of Nigerian Christians, e.g. “I am anointed” , “Anointing fall on me” and the very popular “Buy your anointing oil!”
I will proceed to critically scrutinize this comment as it shows the level of religious ignorance the average Nigerian Christian suffers from.
My interview with SaharaTV on Nigeria’s ‘Jail The Gays’ bill.
Laughing and shaking my head at the homophobic, ignorant comments of Nigerians on this Sahara Reporters facebook post featuring my Interview with SaharaTV on the Nigeria’s Jail the Gays bill.
It is said that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering and violence.
Already a few are calling for me to be stoned to death.
It really is easy to hate, it takes courage to Love. If only these ignoramuses conquer their fear by opening their mind to logic and love, Nigeria, nay, the world would be a better place for all.
Kindly sign the petition against the jail the gay bill
How is it a democracy if you discriminate against your citizens because of their sexual orientation?
How is it a secular state if you quote your Skydaddy when enacting state laws and policies?
I did not fight for democracy to clear the way for a bunch of clueless ignoramuses to enact laws that violate my fundamental human rights.
Get educated, tame your ignorance, stop the hate.
June 12 evokes a not so distant memory of hope raised and hope dashed. Memories of a fight for democracy, a cry to kick out the military regardless of which civilian got the mandate, bitter memories of inhaling tear gas, of being dragged by soldiers to the worst of cells and of scribbling notes from jail. A bitter memory of comrades cut down by the bullets of military junta, limbs lost to protests, comrades lives lost to bad roads on the way to rallies, weeks, sometimes months and years spent in horrible security detention centers and that distant memory of a strong conviction that Nigeria was a country worth dying for.
Hmmm…where did it all go wrong?
1. Was it at that moment when we stupidly did not care who took over from the military dictators as long as we had a civilian government?
2. Was it that moment when comrades started accepting the juicy but with no portfolio position of special Assistants to Governors, Lawmakers or any politician who can pay the bill?
3. Was it when comrades started contesting for political positions under the umbrella of undemocratic political parties they once vehemently spoke against?
4. Was it that moment when you stumbled on an online appeal for legal funds that was launched in your name when you were detained in one of the country’s worst cells as a guest of the military dictator, even though you were never consulted nor knew what happened to the fund raised?
5. Was it when the Nigerian Progressives and pseudo comrades made it obvious that they do not really care about Equality for All? That moment when they made it clear that they only participate in struggles which are popular with the masses? Or that they cannot side with sexual minorities who are persecuted by the government as they are afraid to lose popularity amongst the masses, on whose wings they hope to achieve political relevance, power and a share of the national cake?
6. Was it when you get laughed at by fellow Nigerians who think you are a fool for not joining the looting party when you have access to the corridors of power?
7. Was it that sad moment when you realized that the party goes on, no matter whose blood was shed?
8. Was it that horrible moment when you suddenly realized that comrades now blame comrades for the assassination of a comrade?
9. Was it that moment when you realize that Nigeria is shit, but not because it is Nigeria but because it is a country populated by opportunists who are mostly proudly ignorant?
10. Was it that moment when you finally accept that Nigerians are truly proud to be suffering and smiling and would prefer not to free themselves from oppression if there is a minuscule chance of them assuming the position of the oppressor?
Hmmm… June 12, a day I’d rather not remember but a day that is still very instrumental in channeling my relationship with Nigeria, as I learn more about Nigerians, humans and humanity in general. [Read more…]
When I read the story of the 4 students of University of Port Harcourt that were lynched on allegation of theft, I wept for my country one more time. I have not watched the video and I do not ever intend to watch it. It is very difficult getting an online report of the story without graphic images of the victims being burnt alive. Nigerian bloggers and news reporters need to understand that such violent graphics should come with a trigger warning. I am already tormented at the thought of a human being burnt alive by a sick mob; I can do without the pictures and violent video, please.
Following the breaking of this horrible news, most Nigerians expressed shock that such barbaric acts could still so wantonly be carried out in Nigeria and with the tacit cooperation of members of the police force too. State security men were said to be present at the scene of the lynching but chose not to intervene. Also, there were a few Nigerians who actually tried to justify the murders, they felt if these students actually stole mobile phones and laptops as alleged, they deserved to be lynched, and some even cited their religious books to justify this atrocious mindset. [Read more…]
