National Black Justice Coalition Condemns Arrest of Nigerians at Same-Sex Wedding, Urges Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON –In response to the distressing news of the arrest of more than 60 Nigerians attending a same-sex wedding celebration, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“The criminalization of individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, in any part of the world, is a direct violation of fundamental human rights. The right to love and express oneself should never be subject to state sanctioned violence. We vehemently reject any ‘law’ or behavior that seeks to target, isolate, or intimidate LGBTQ+ individuals.
“As an organization dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) individuals, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria and across the African Diaspora. We firmly denounce this act of persecution and call on the Nigerian authorities to immediately release all those who have been unjustly detained.
“We implore international leaders, including President Biden, the U.S. State Department, global organizations, and other nations, to unite to denounce this incident and take concrete steps to support the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria.
“Through the resilience of the African Diaspora, we recognize the historical injustices inflicted upon marginalized communities and will not tolerate the perpetuation of discrimination and harm. We call for an end to targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria and beyond, affirming that every individual deserves the right to live freely and authentically.”
Maryland State Delegate Gabriel Acevero, a Black LGBTQ+ lawmaker in the United States and member of NBJC’s Good Trouble Network, added:
“LGBTQ+ people are not a threat to Nigeria’s national security or identity. Insurgents are. And instead of focusing the resources of the state on ending violence and police brutality, it is instead being used to persecute queer Nigerians
“I’m proud to be Black and LGBTQ. My identity is not a foreign or Western concept. As long as there have been people, acknowledging everything began in Africa, there have been Black LGBTQ+ people. This was our experience before the terms lesbian, trans, and gay were created. The most recent string of arrests targeting our community goes against what it means to be a free and democratic society and we call for the immediate release of.
“Our LGBTQ+ siblings in Nigeria echo the truth that we have always existed and will continue to exist in all corners of the world. The attempt to erase or suppress these identities through unjust measures is futile. We refuse to be silenced and will persistently advocate for the rights and dignity of Black LGBTQ+/SGL individuals everywhere.”
If you’d be interested in speaking further with Dr. Johns or State Delegate Acevero about the arrest of Nigerians at a same-sex wedding, we’d be happy to arrange an interview.