Cross posted @ the Atheist Oasis
I don’t much respect for the U.N – they pander way too much to religion, and they buckle every time the U.S howls at at the moon.
This time, however, they’re on the money:
African Union: Ban Ki-moon urges respect for gay rights
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged African leaders to respect gay rights.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation had been ignored or even sanctioned by many states for too long, Mr Ban told an African Union summit.
Homosexuality is illegal in many African countries - a situation which has drawn increasing criticism from activists and the West.
Mr Ban also said the Arab Spring proved leaders "must listen to their people".
The only issue with that last sentence, is that they do, in some ways. The problem there, is that all of the Big 3 specifically prohibit homosexual behavior (although a lot of high-ranking Muslims seem to indulge in a different pastime, pederasty, regardless).
Someone should probably inform Nigerian, as of last month, a bunch of discriminatory fuckwads if ever there were any:
Homosexual acts are already illegal in Nigeria. But for its lawmakers that doesn't appear to be categorical enough.
"This is to be pro-active so no-one catches us unaware," says Senator Ahmed Lawan, one of the backers for new legislation that would further criminalise Nigeria's gay community.
The Prohibition of Same-Sex Marriage Bill last week sailed unopposed through the Senate - the country's highest chamber.
Under the new bill, same-sex couples entering into either marriage or cohabitation would face jail terms of up to 14 years.
Those "witnessing" or "abetting" such relationships would also face custodial sentences, and groups that advocate for gay and lesbian rights could also be penalised.
'You are evil'
The lawmakers say they are simply reflecting the prevailing values of Nigerian society.
"We are protecting humanity and family values, in fact, we are protecting civilization in its entirety," Mr Lawan tells the BBC from his office in the capital, Abuja.
"Should we allow for indiscriminate same-sex marriage, very soon the population of this world would diminish."
Ahmed Lawan says both Muslims and Christians are opposed to same sex marriage
Far from being on the extreme fringe, the senator's views are moderate compared with some of his peers.
During the third reading of the bill, one northern politician said he believed the punishment should be death.
That was voted down, but at a tense public hearing at the National Assembly activists who spoke against the legislation were jeered and heckled.
"They said: 'You are evil, you are a devil, and if you were my brother you'd deserve to be killed,'" says John Adeniyi, one of those brave enough to speak out.
"And it made me feel like the world is not a place worth being in."
This has been mentioned before, but it bears repeating: the only real opposition to gay marriage is the religious one. It is one of the many, MANY reasons we atheists are anti-religion. It teaches people that discrimination is fine; that their off-ramp is the only exit; that slaughter and mayhem are wrong, but only if not sanctioned; that spirits dwell on the fringes of darkness, waiting to pounce, to gobble us up or lead us down to the Malebolge of depravity; and of course, that we are all slaves to the words of ghosts that never were.
Religion: getting more people killed for nothing.
Till the next post, then.
