France to lift ban on gay men giving blood

France will lift a ban on gay men donating blood, introduced in the 1980s to prevent the spread of AIDS but criticised by rights groups, the health minister said Wednesday. “Giving blood is an act of generosity, of civic responsibility, and the donor’s sexual orientation cannot be a condition,” Marisol Touraine announced in Paris.

Gays in Benin

“While respecting patient safety, today we are lifting a taboo,” she said. Touraine said the lifting of the ban, promised by Francois Hollande in his presidential campaign, will happen in stages, starting next year. At first, donation of “whole blood” — the red cells, plasma and platelets — will be open to gay men who have not been sexually active for the preceding 12 months, she specified.

For donations of only plasma, the liquid component of blood, donors will be considered if they have not had sex with another man for four months, or were in a monogamous relationship. Experts will then analyse whether the change had brought about any additional risk, after which measures may be relaxed further in 2017, the minister said.

In other countries with similar waiting periods for donors, including Australia, Britain, Japan and Sweden, rights groups criticise the measure as discriminatory, given that no similar condition exists for heterosexual men or women. US regulators in May recommended lifting a lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men, but also with a 12-month waiting window.

On its website, the US Food and Drug Administration says men who have sex with men are “at increased risk for HIV”. “Men who have had sex with other men represent approximately two percent of the US population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV,” it states.

The issue is sensitive in France, where hundreds of people died in the 1980s after HIV-tainted blood was distributed by the national blood transfusion centre. Much of the contaminated blood was exported, leading to the infection and deaths of hundreds more.  Several senior civil servants, including the head of the transfusion service, were jailed or fined.

In 1999, then prime minister Laurent Fabius, now foreign minister, and his social affairs minister were cleared of wrongdoing in the scandal. The health minister was convicted but not given a punishment. Mandatory HIV testing of donated blood began in 1985.

In April this year, the EU’s top court ruled that governments can ban homosexual blood donors if they can show it is the best way to limit the risk of HIV infection.

France to lift ban on gay men giving blood

Party turns bloody as gay lovers fight in Benin

BENIN CITY—A party organized by gay lovers turned violent in Benin City last Tuesday as one of the organizers caught his man with another of their friends in uncommon mood.

Gays in Benin

This came as two young men were arrested by policemen of “B” Division Police Station, Warri, Delta State, for allegedly indulging in homosexuality, a crime against the Nigerian State.

The party in Benin was organized in a hotel located around Oben, off Sapele Road and the gay lovers were said to have deceived residents of the area by dressing like women in order not to attract their attention.

It was gathered that trouble started when one of the jealous lovers, identified as Ricky, caught his ‘paramay’ with one of the guests and disagreement over the issue resulted in a bloody fight.

A source told Vanguard that  they fought with bottles and plastic chairs in the hotel room, which attracted residents who did not know they were holding a gay party.

Some of the guests had their heads broken and clothes torn.

A source in the neighbourhood told Vanguard:  “ We have been suspecting the management of this hotel for some time now because the last time, some girls suspected to be lesbians held a party here, we were shocked that no single male was in attendance.

“But today, I wanted to go and buy a drink at the hotel when a young man walked up to me at the gate and said to me that his people have taken over the place.

‘’I was shocked to notice that he was putting on tight leggings and wearing red lip stick and wig, so I left the place immediately.

“It was later in the night that we heard loud noise and saw some boys fighting over another boy, thereby attracting all in the  neighbourhood.”

Vanguard learned, however, that the boys took to their heels when policemen patrolling the area stormed the hotel, following a phone call from one of the neighbours.

It was further  gathered that the police are currently quizzing the management of the hotel.

 

Warri homosexual brothers

Meantime, two young men have been arrested by policemen of the “B” Division Police Station, Warri, Delta State for allegedly indulging in homosexuality.

The suspects, whose names were given as Mr. Johnson Onoriode Efenaghor and his sibling Emmanuel Efenaghor, were said to have been apprehended by the Police, following a complaint by one Kelvin Williams who was sexually molested, abused and defiled by the duo.

Vanguard findings revealed that the suspects gave in to sodomy while in Lagos.

Johnson, it was gathered, is the principal actor who committed the act to initiate Kelvin into homosexualism, while his brother, Emmanuel, was arrested as an accomplice.

Emmanuel’s silence on the crime of his elder brother was sequel to the threats from his brother not to reveal his criminal tendencies.

Vanguard gathered that the victim, Kelvin, was not comfortable with the act and reported to the Police to save himself from threat to his life by his lover who warned him not to let anybody know about the sacrilegious act or he would be killed.

 

William narates ordeal

Narrating his ordeal, William said the whole thing started in July when Mr. Onoriode Johnson Efenaghor accosted him on his way to visit his father at Odion Road, Warri, and told him that he was handsome and would like both of them to become friends.

He further said that he later visited Johnson who persuaded him to sleep in his house, not knowing he had other intentions. He said Johnson did all to lure him into the sin of sodomy.

 

Calling the Police

On why he reported to the police, which led to the arrest of Johnson, he said: “I decided to tell the police because I knew that homosexuality is an offence. Second, my grandfather is a pastor and I live with him. Even when I told him that I arrested somebody, he didn’t believe me. My grandfather is a pastor and I didn’t grow up with street life.”

Vanguard investigation revealed that Johnson, who is currently cooling off in the police cell, admitted to have made attempt to have carnal knowledge of Kelvin but could not gain access due to plea by the victim to have the real fun at another rescheduled date.

While saying that he was introduced into the act by a Jehovah Witness man who came to preach to him in Lagos three years ago, the suspect pleaded for mercy from constituted authority, promising not to indulge in the act again.

Divisional Police Office, DPO, “B” Division, Warri, CSP Anietie Eyoh, could not been reached for comments, but an impeccable source from the station confirmed the arrest and detention of the suspects, noting that they would  be charged to court soon.

Party turns bloody as gay lovers fight in Benin

Buhari rejects gay rights proposal by Obama

By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the gay proposal by President Barrack Obama, saying Sodomy is against the law in Nigeria.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this on his twitter page on Wednesday.

He said “The issue of gay marriage came up here yesterday. PMB was point blank. Sodomy is against the law in Nigeria, and abhorrent to our culture.”

Many Nigerians have been apprehensive on the believe that Obama may convince Buhari to accept gay marriage in Nigeria.

It could be recalled that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, during the campaign also alleged that Buhari has promised to work in favour of gay marriage in Nigeria.

 

 

Before Buhari left for the United State, Civil Society Organisation had also appealed to Buhari not to listen to the US government on the issues of gay rights in order to protect the value culture of Nigeria.

 

Buhari rejects gay rights proposal by Obama

Tell Nigerians if you are not considering scrapping anti-gay laws for support - PDP challenges Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has challenged the All Progressives Congress to tell Nigerians whether or not its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is considering the request of some foreign nations to scrap the country’s anti-gay laws and allow same-sex marriage, in order to secure their support.

Jonathan vs Buhari

The Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a statement, Thursday, in Abuja, said this was more important to Nigerians than the issues that have been raised as a consequence of Morocco’s withdrawal of their Ambassador from Nigeria.

“Our attention has been drawn to the unpatriotic stance of the APC on the issues that have been raised as a consequence of Morocco’s withdrawal of their Ambassador from Nigeria,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.

“It is very unfortunate that rather than join hands with the Federal Government and endeavour to stand shoulder to shoulder with their compatriots and their country when it comes to the conduct of international affairs, the APC are always ready to assume the worst about their government and about their President.

“Our counsel to them is to grow up, get real and stop playing politics with such sensitive matters that border on the interest and credibility of our nation and our people.

“If they want a clarification about the Moroccan affair, they ought to go through the appropriate channels and perhaps attempt to reach our Foreign Minister in order to find out what really happened.

“That is the proper and responsible thing to do. They do not need to make a song and dance about the whole thing and they certainly should not try to gain political mileage out of it or join forces with those from outside our shores that do not wish Nigeria or the Nigerian people well.

“We are fully aware of their obvious and pronounced intellectual limitations when it comes to such matters; yet, regardless of that, they must always endeavour to remember that we are, first and foremost, Nigerians and regardless of whichever side of the political divide we find ourselves or whichever political party we belong to, we must always seek to protect our nation’s interest before anything else.

“For the APC to even begin to assume that it is true that our President or any of our government officials lied in this episode with the King of Morocco and for them to so readily accept the suggestion that we have done anything wrong or that we have somehow misled our people about what actually transpired speaks volumes.

“Our President is certainly not a liar. The only liars here are the APC and their perfidious and conflicted spokesman, Lai Mohammed. Our President and our government have done Nigeria proud when it comes to the conduct of foreign affairs over the last few years and when it comes to building bridges with other nations. This is particularly so when it comes to our relationship with other African countries.

“Our military collaboration with the nations of Chad, Niger and the Cameroons in the fight against Boko Haram and the great successes that we are jointly recording in that bitter fight is a glaring testimony to that.

“Any Nigerian or any Nigerian political party that joins hands with foreigners to denigrate our nation, to belittle our foreign policy, to undermine our credibility in the comity of nations or to work against our country’s vital core interests by assuming the worst about the conduct of our foreign affairs is simply a traitor and is not worthy of being called a Nigerian.

“Once again, the APC has shown, by their plea for a clarification on this matter, that they are a party that simply cannot possibly comprehend or grasp the complexities of national leadership or the conduct of foreign affairs.

“They have proved that they will always put their own personal and narrow party interests before the interests of our people and our nation. The basic lesson that they need to learn is this: in a time of war, you do not join hands with foreign governments or foreign kings to undermine the interest of your nation or to denigrate your President.

“Instead of talking about the King of Morocco and who spoke to whom, the APC should tell us whether it is true that their presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, in response to a request from some western countries, is considering scrapping the anti-gay laws in our country and pushing through legislation that would allow same sex marriage.

“We are far more interested in that than in the King of Morocco because if it is true that that is what they are planning, it would be a reflection of their moral depravity as a party and it would be a negation of our values as a God-fearing nation.”

Tell Nigerians if you are not considering scrapping anti-gay laws for support - PDP challenges Buhari

37-year-old man remanded in prison for gay act with 14-year boy

A Magistrates’ Court in Minna on Wednesday remanded in prison custody a 37-year-old man for alleged homosexuality.

The man, Yakubu Danladi, was arraigned on a one-count-charge of an “unnatural offence” with a 14- year-old Ahmed Mohammed, in his house in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Gays arrested

The police prosecutor, Afred Auta, had told the court that one Danasebe of Angwan Daji in Minna reported the matter at the State Police Headquarters on Sept. 9.

Mr. Auta said Danasebe told the police that the accused had been having carnal knowledge of Mohammed on several occasions over the past six months.

Mr. Auta said during police interrogation at the station, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence.

“Mohammed has been living with me for the past two years because his mother who is my relative gave the boy to live under my care,” the accused said.

“The mother of the boy came to my house on Sept. 8 to take back the boy. It was then I realised that blood was coming out of the boy’s anus.

“I told the mother to wait till the end of the month when I will receive my salary to take the boy to the hospital, but she refused.

“She objected to it by reporting the case to my uncle who then called the vigilante group; they started beating me and insulted me before taking me to the police,”

Mr. Danladi said. However, when the charge was read to the accused in court, he pleaded not guilty to the offence. In her ruling, Magistrate Amina Musa, adjourned the case till Sept. 29 to allow police conclude their investigations. (NAN)

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37-year-old man remanded in prison for gay act with 14-year boy

Flavour blasts fan for telling him some people assume him to gay

Some fans/haters actually blasted Flavour after he posted the above photo. Some called him gay for being so close to another man in a pool while others believe the said guy is his brother.

A  fan who thought he was doing flavour a favor tweeted at him  saying “How can thy say @2niteFlavour is gay… yawa ppl..”

The ashawo crooner did not find it funny at all, he called it “Stupidity” (0)

Flavour blasts fan for telling him some people assume him to gay

Egypt court sentences four gays to prison

(AFP)—A court in Egypt sentenced four men to up to eight years in prison on Monday for practicing homosexuality, a judicial official said.

Prosecutors had accused the men of holding “deviant parties” and dressing in women’s clothes. Three were sentenced to eight years and the fourth to three years in prison.

Prosecutors have used a law banning “debauchery” to try homosexuals in the past.

Those accused of homosexuality are often forced to undergo medical tests to establish they are “habitual” gays, a practice rights groups have decried as abusive.

Homosexuality is not tolerated across the Middle East and much of Africa.

 

Egypt court sentences four gays to prison

First gay marriages take place in England and Wales

BRIGHTON (AFP) – Gay couples across England and Wales said “I do” on Friday night as a law authorising same-sex marriage came into effect at midnight, the final stage in a long fight for equality.

Prime Minister David Cameron hailed what he said was an “important moment for our country”, and a rainbow flag flew above government offices in London in celebration.
In Brighton on England’s south coast, Neil Allard and Andrew Wale exchanged vows and rings in the opulent splendour of the Royal Pavilion in front of about 100 guests.

Wearing velvet-collared three-piece suits with white flowers in their buttonholes, the smiling couple of seven years hugged and kissed after they became “husband and husband”.

They were among several couples bidding to be first to take advantage of last year’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act by holding midnight weddings.

“We are very happy this day has come finally. It’s very exciting,” said Wale, a 49-year-old theatre director.

Emerging out into the crisp night air after the ceremony, they were stunned to be greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters.

To calls of “speech, speech!”, they expressed hope that the change in Britain would help bring equality to same-sex relationships in other countries.

Earlier this week, Wale remarked “how lucky we are to live in a comparatively tolerant part of the world”.

Civil partnerships have been legal since 2005 and marriage brings no new rights — the ability to adopt, for example, was introduced in 2002.

But campaigners have insisted that only the right to marry gives them full equality with heterosexual couples.

“We didn’t want to get married until it was a marriage that my mum and dad could have,” said Teresa Millward, 37, who will wed her her long-term girlfriend on Saturday.

The gay marriage law is the final victory in a long battle stretching back to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England in 1967.

Cameron backed the change despite strong opposition from members of his Conservative party and the established Church of England.

“This weekend is an important moment for our country,” the prime minister wrote in an article for Pink News.

“Put simply, in Britain it will no longer matter whether you are straight or gay — the state will recognise your relationship as equal.”

- Still resistance -

Not all attitudes have changed. A poll for BBC radio said 20 percent of British adults would turn down an invitation to a same-sex wedding.

However, the survey also found 68 percent agreed gay marriage should be permitted, with 26 percent opposing it.

The Church of England had opposed same-sex marriage, insisting weddings should only take place between a man and a woman, and secured an exemption from the new law.

The House of Bishops last month also warned clergy they should not bless married gay couples.

But Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans, said the Church had accepted the new law and would continue to demonstrate “the love of Christ for every human being”.

Peter McGraith and David Cabreza, who have been together for 17 years, also married shortly after midnight in front of friends and their two adopted sons in London.

They hope their wedding will send out a message to places like Nigeria, Uganda and Russia where the idea of gay marriage is a distant dream.

While 15 countries have legalised gay marriage and another three allow it in some areas, homosexuals remain persecuted in many parts of the world.

“There’s a lot of gay men and lesbians around the world who are not invited to the party,” McGraith, a clothing designer, told AFP ahead of the big day.

Same-sex couples who were married abroad are now recognised under the new law, although only in England and Wales.

Scotland, which has devolved powers, is expected to introduce gay marriage later this year, while the British-controlled province of Northern Ireland remains deeply divided on the issue and has no plans to change the law there.

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First gay marriages take place in England and Wales

UK based Nigerian asks court to declare same-sex marriage law unconstitutional

ABUJA – A United Kingdom based Nigerian, Mr. Teriah Joseph Ebah, has dragged the Federal Government to court, contending that the newly enacted same sex marriage law, is inconsistent with the provisions of sections 34 and 37 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

In a suit he filed before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, the applicant, is seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Nigerian government, whether by itself or by its officers, agents, servants or privies, from enforcing the provisions of Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, particularly sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the said Act.

Among other things, he prayed the court to go ahead and determine, “Whether the provisions of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, particularly sections 1(1) (a) & (b), (2) and 3, do not violate and contravene Nigeria citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined and protected in section 42(1)(a)(b) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Articles 2, 3(1) and (2), 19 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

He is further urging the high court to declare the law as unconstitutional, null and void, and also hold that its provisions are impediment constituting disabilities to Nigeria Citizens’ Fundamental Rights enshrined and protected in section 40 and 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Articles 6 and 10(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Meantime, Justice Abdul Kafarati has slated April 2 to commence hearing on the suit.

In an affidavit he deposed in support of the suit, the applicant averred: “That I am the Applicant herein and as such I am familiar with the facts leading to this case as well as the facts of this case.

“That I hold a BA Degree in Accounting and Finance from University of Derby UK, A Masters Degree in Strategic Financial Management from University of Derby UK, a Registered Member, Chartered Institute of Management Accounting of Britain (CIMA), and a happily married man with a Son.

“That I am currently working with the Department for Works and Pension under the employment of the British Government.

“That only recently, particularly on December 17, 2013, both houses of the National Assembly, the Senate and House of Representatives, passed an act titled “Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013.

“That I am aware that on the December 30, 2013, the Clark of the National Assembly also signed the said act before transmitting it to the President and Commander- in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who assented to the act, Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, on January 7, 2014.

“That over the years I have maintained and continue to maintain close relationship with relatives, Nigeria Citizens schooling, working and doing businesses both in the UK and in Nigeria which inevitably gives me insight into worrisome plight and predicament, the recently enacted Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, has brought to bear on these citizens.

“That I know as a fact that these Nigerians who are schooling, working and doing businesses in every part of the world including the UK and Nigeria, are entrepreneurs, people in sport, philanthropists, artisans, politicians, doctors, lawyers, Clergymen and the down trodden, who work hard day and night to improve their lot, that of their dependants and their country.

“That I am aware that these Nigerians are tax payers, voters and people recognized and protected by the constitution as Nigeria Citizens.

“I am also aware that these category of Nigerians, by natural design, come in different sexes to include Male, Female, Neuter, Hermaphrodite, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender etc.

“That I am aware that these Nigerians, particularly those whose sex is Gay, Lesbian, bisexual or transgender are, by natural design, biologically and physiologically, without any fault of theirs, share unique sexual orientation.

“That I know as a fact that these Nigerians mentioned above, have closely netted community of common interest that has no effect on the social, moral, economical and religious lives of other Nigerians.

“I know as a fact that there is a constitutional provision in Nigeria which forbids discrimination against any Nigerian on the basis of their sex, community and/or circumstances of their birth.

“That I know as a fact that the recently assented Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, by the President Jonathan violates the Nigerian Constitution which forbids discrimination against any Nigerian by virtue of their sex, community and/or circumstances of their birth.

“That I am aware that the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, criminalizes marriages and associations between and amongst Nigerians whose sex are gay, lesbian and transgender.

“That I am also aware that Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, prohibits and criminalizes the operation of associations and/or the assembly of people who support the operation and functions of associations or organizations formulated by Nigerians with the interest of those who belong to the lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community at heart.

“That I know as a fact that by virtue of the promulgation of the Same Sex Marriage (prohibition) Act, 2013, I or any Nigeria Citizen cannot register an association to protect the interest of Nigerian Citizens who are lesbians, gay, bisexual or transgender.

“That I am not aware of any Act of law that prohibits a Citizen of Nigeria from registering an association or organization to protect or fight for the interest of animals in Nigeria.

“That I am also aware that this law prohibits public speaking for the interest of these Nigeria Citizens who are lesbians, gay, bisexual or transgender and who belong to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“That I am aware that since the inception of Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, an estimated number of about Thirty Eight (38) Nigerians have been arrested in about four (4) states of the federation on the basis of their sexual orientation.

“That I am aware that in Bauchi alone, an estimated number of about 12 Nigerians were arrested and subjected to prosecution on the basis of their sexual orientation.

“That I verily believe that this arrest, persecution and prosecution of these Nigerians is an attempt at genetic genocide meant to exterminate these Nigerians.

“That I know as a fact that in Nigeria, citizens whose sex is Male or female, exercises their straight sexual orientation openly without fear and same has not been criminalized.

“That I know as a fact that a citizen of Nigeria, who happens to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is not a sudden creature living amongst the populace.

“That I know as a fact that sometime in the history of this country, the killing of twins was an acceptable culture and practice before it was abolished.

“That I know as a fact that sometime also in the history of this country, the killing of albino was generally acceptable by a majority before it was abolished.

“That I know as fact that the majority of people in some parts of this country still accept the marriage of a minor to an adult.

“That I am aware that sometime in the history of the world, dealings in slavery or slave trade was generally acceptable by a majority of people in certain parts of the world before it was abolished.

“That I am also aware that sometime in the history of the world, the black race was seen as an inferior race by a majority of races and is still seen as an inferior human being to this day by a majority of people in certain parts of the world,

“That I Know as a fact that history has it that in many states of the United States of America, a majority of people supported laws forbidding marriage between a black man and a white woman or white woman and a black man, before they were repealed in most states of the United States of America.

“That I know as a fact that a majority of people in Nazi Germany supported Adolf Hitler’s laws, pronouncements and actions before and during the Second World War. Laws, pronouncements and actions that led to the death of Millions of innocent people in Europe and around the world.

“That I know as a fact that Individuals do not choose their sexual orientation, be you straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. It is not a matter of choice. You are who you are. By circumstance of our Birth, we are born straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

“That I know as a fact that the sexual orientation of a citizen of Nigeria does not impair upon his or her ability to participate fully in all economic and social activities and/or institutions in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.

“That I know as a fact that a citizen of Nigeria, who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is not mentally deficient.

“That I know as a fact that the protection from discrimination of these Nigerians on the basis of sex, community or circumstance of their birth has always been in the constitution of Nigeria.

“That I verily believe that the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 is the legalization of discrimination against Nigerians on the basis of their sex and sexual orientation, the community they belong to and circumstance of their birth.

“That I verily believe that unless these reliefs sought herein are granted, the Federal Government and all its agencies will continue to haunt down, detain, torture, prosecute and discriminate against Nigerians on the basis of their sex, community and circumstance of their birth.

“That I verily believe that it will be in the interest of justice to grant this application”, he added.

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UK based Nigerian asks court to declare same-sex marriage law unconstitutional