Nigeria lawmakers pass anti-gay marriage bill

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Nigeria lawmakers pass anti-gay marriage bill

AP foreign, Thursday May 30 2013

JON GAMBRELL

Associated Press= ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Lawmakers in Nigeria passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders.

Nigeria's House of Representatives approved the bill in a voice vote, likely sending it immediately to President Goodluck Jonathan for him to potentially sign into law in Africa's most populous nation. Whether he will approve it remains unclear, and both the United States and the United Kingdom raised concerns over a measure that could put foreign funding for AIDS and HIV outreach programs in jeopardy.

Nigeria's Senate previously passed the bill in November 2011 and the measure quietly disappeared for some time before coming up in Thursday's session of the House. Under previous versions of the proposed law, couples who marry could face up to 14 years each in prison. Witnesses or anyone who helps couples marry could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

Other additions to the bill include making it illegal to register gay clubs or organizations, as well as criminalizing the "public show of same-sex amorous relationships directly or indirectly." Those who violate those laws would face 10-year imprisonment as well.

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Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10816179

[samsingh]

1. don't they have more pressing stuff to think about than resticting freedom?

[Fearless]

3. It's a political ploy

Used millions of times historically. Focus anger and resentment on a minority group and away from those in power. Think of Black people post slavery in America and Jewish people and Western European powers in Germany pre-WWII.

[dbackjon]

2. Hey McCain - here are some REAL Terrorists you can advocate bombing.

Drone strike on the Nigerian Legislature would be a humanitarian act.