HOMOSEXUALITY: FAÇADE OR REALITY

Donald A Odeleye PhD Ife

Faculty of Education, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Email: [email protected] Phone: +234-8060162719

Abstract
Homosexuality, even though widely practiced all over the world, is outlawed in Nigeria. This
paper sought to assess the level of awareness of undergraduates of both concept and incidence
of homosexuality on university campuses. Convenience sampling of one hundred and twenty
students from four faculties in two universities was done and data was collected using
questionnaire. It was discovered that most undergraduates sampled (90%) were aware of
homosexuality as a concept and some 95.8% of the respondents also affirmed the incidence of
homosexuality on the university campuses. Homosexuality with its attendant social stigma and
idiosyncrasies challenges the counselors to novelty and innovation in service delivery. Also, it is
expedient that the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) should encourage its members
to facilitate research work in this direction. Counsellors need to be more pragmatic and
innovative as they seek help homosexuals adjust to socially-acceptable lifestyles.

Key Words: Homosexuality, Nigerian Undergraduates

Introduction
Homosexuality has grown from being a taboo in the Middle Ages to becoming national and
international subject in the industrialised world. In the post-modern society where everyone is
allowed to do what seems right in his own eyes, homosexuality would continue to thrive. It
seems history may indeed be travelling in circles because in the biblical times, Homosexuality
was known as Sodomy (KJV Genesis 19:1-25)

In the Middle Ages, particularly the 13th century, homosexuality was completely outlawed in
Europe. The attitude of society then was that sex itself was a relationship, and the religious
inclination was perhaps deeper than contemporary times. There was a belief that sex was for
procreation. However, with the emergence of liberalism, occasioned by a combination of
scientific discoveries and the philosophies of the 18th, and 19th centuries of which Charles
Darwin's theories of evolution played a major role, there was a gradual shift away from
conservative and traditional Jewish/Christian belief system into humanism in which there are no
absolutes. Cultural relativism then took centre stage in human thinking; thus preparing the way
for modernism and then post-modernism.

In 1810 France legalized homosexuality amongst consenting adults, other European nations
followed much later. People see America at the forefront of spearheading the pro-homosexuality
campaign, but the American story started much later than in some European nations.
In America, the society had a very negative attitude towards homosexuality, but with the advent
of Darwin's theory of evolution, humanism started gaining grounds in America. With the
Kinsey's report on American male sexuality lending support to the Darwin's theory, science
sanctioned what society had hitherto considered as sinful.

However, Homosexuality did not start growing rapidly until after the 2nd world War. Then,
Homosexuals were dismissed from the army; that prompted the coming together and the eventual
formation of the first homosexual association in 1950 called the Mattachine Society
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattachine_Society). However, by 1955, the association lost its
steam and was not very effective any longer.

In 1953, President Eisenhower banned Homosexuals from being employed by the American
Government. The 1950s was a period of heavy persecution for Homosexuals. They were sacked
by their employers, many were arrested and tried in courts. All these persecution did not deter
them, but actually aided in the growth of Homosexuality in America.

The sex revolution of the 1960's: By the 1960s sex began to be talked about freely and openly
even amongst youths, but most of this was misinformation. Science and the media played a
major role in this. There was "knowledge explosion" more books on sex were published between
1940 and 1970 then all the previous decades of American history.
In Nigeria, today, Homosexual is outlawed but all instruments in the West which led to
Homosexuality taking prominence in the polity are already in place here now. Same-sex sexual
activity in Nigeria is illegal according to Chapter 21, Articles 214 and 217 of the Nigerian penal
code and can be punished by imprisonment of up to 14 years throughout Nigeria
(http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/features/30912-homosexuality-in-nigeria) .It is difficult to give
the exact population of homosexuals in Nigeria because of the fear and secrecy involved in it
here, especially with the enactment of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) 2011 law. However,
with the presence of four operational homosexual associations (since 1999) with a presence on
the Internet, it should be a clear indication that the advent of homosexuality in Nigeria is definite.
The associations have the mission of eliminating the belief amongst literate and non-literate
Nigerians that Homosexuality is a taboo. Through their campaigns on HIV, STDs and Safe Sex,
the associations have been enjoying grants from government and other donors within and abroad
and are in turn propagating their mission.

First, it is expedient to explain the concept of sexual orientation with specific reference to
Homosexuality. Sexual orientation simply is the way an individual relates to others sexually.
Effectively, there are four types of sexual orientation. The first and by far the most common is
Heterosexuality which is the sexual relationship between the opposite sexes (a man and a
woman, a boy and a girl). The second one is Bisexuality which infers sexual relationship with
opposite sexes. The third type is Homosexuality which literally means sexuality between
individuals of the same sex. The fourth type, Asexuality, is the state of “having no sexual
feelings towards anyone.

Of the four listed types, homosexuality is the most controversial; while asexuality is the least
known and least understood. Homosexuality is not uncommon in Africa even though its
antecedent may not be presently traceable. In Nigeria, one thing is quite clear, homosexuality,
until recently, has been shrouded in mystery. Due to cultural and religious biases, most people do
not even like to discuss issues relating to it. While Christians submit that sin is the cause of
Homosexuality, the muslims opine that Homosexuality is a crime punishable by death.
Hereunder are some quotations from both the Bible and Qur’an on the sin of Homosexuality:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Nigeria)
Qur’an (7:80-84) - “...For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed
a people transgressing beyond bounds.... And we rained down on them a shower (of
brimstone)” -  An account that is borrowed from the Biblical story of Sodom.  Muslim scholars
through the centuries have interpreted the “rain of stones” on the town as meaning that
homosexuals should be stoned, since no other reason is given for the people’s destruction. (The
story is also repeated in suras 27 and 29).
Qur’an (7:81) - “Will ye commit abomination such as no creature ever did before you?” This
verse is part of the previous text and it establishes that homosexuality as different from (and
much worse than) adultery or other sexual sin.  According to the Arabic grammar,
homosexuality is called the worst sin, while references elsewhere describe other forms of non-
marital sex as being “among great sins.”
Qur’an (26:165-166) - “Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, “And leave
those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing”
Qur’an (4:16) - “If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent
and amend, Leave them alone”
In the Bible, the practice of gay could be traced to Sodom and Gomorrah when some angels
paid Lot a visit and the town’s men insisted on having sex with the angels, which resulted in
the angels making the men of Sodom and Gomorrah blind. Ultimately, the cities were
destroyed by fire. This record of Homosexuality which is also referred to as Sodomy could be
found in Genesis Chapter 19 verses 1 to 25.
In Romans chapter 1 verses 21 to 28 the Bible asserts that it was man’s disobedience to God that
made him to be having sexual affection for the same sex.

Problem
Recently, by popular demand and against the backdrop of sanctions threat by United Kingdom,
the Nigerian legislature promulgated a law outlawing Homosexuality in Nigeria. Since then,
while religious and some key opinion leaders have been commending the promulgation,
international pro-Homosexuality groups have been condemning the action of the lawmakers. It
was against this premise that the researcher began his investigation on the extent of public
awareness of the concept and incidence of Homosexuality in Nigerian university campuses.

Method
A total of one hundred and twenty (120) undergraduates drawn from two (2) Nigerian
universities, one privately-funded, Lead City University and the other, publicly-funded
University of Ibadan participated in this study. Sixty students were selected by convenience
sampling from four faculties (Education, Science, Social Sciences and Law) from each
university. A self-constructed 21- item questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents
on three areas, namely, Awareness of Homosexuality, Actual Practice of Homosexuality and
Opinion on Homosexuality. For each of the areas, there were seven (7) questions.

Table 1: Distribution of Students by Sex by University

University Male Female Total
Lead City University 30 30 60
University of Ibadan 30 30 60
Total 60 60 120

Table 2: Distribution of Students by Religion by University

University Christian Muslim Total
Lead City University 19 41 60
University of Ibadan 39 21 60
Total 58 62 120

Responses to Questions 1, 2 & 3

Questions UI Lead City Total
(%) (%)
Are Nigerian YES 53 (44.2) YES 55(45.8) 90.0
undergraduates aware NO 00 (0) NO 03 (2.5) 02.5
of the concept of
IDK 07 (5.8) IDK 02 (1.7) 07.5
homosexuality?
Is homosexuality YES 58 (48.3) YES 57(47.5) 95.8
being practiced in NO 00 (0) NO 01 (0.8) 00.8
Nigerian universities?
IDK 02 (1.7) IDK 02 (1.7) 03.4
What are the WEIRD 49 (40.8) WEIRD 48 (40) 80.8
perceptions of OKAY 09 (7.5) OKAY 06 (5) 12.5

IDK 12 (10) IDK 08 (6.7) 16.7

Research Question 1:
Are Nigerian undergraduates aware of the concept of Homosexuality?
To this first question, the respondents seem unequivocal that undergraduates are well aware of
the concept of Homosexuality. They could identify the various forms which include lesbians and
gays. In all, 90% of the respondents alluded to the fact that Homosexuality is well-known to
them. With the advent of information technology and consequent globalization, information
dissemination is a lot easier. That may explain the popularity of Homosexuality amongst the
youths.

Research Question 2:
Is homosexuality being practiced in Nigerian universities?
In all, 95.8% of the respondents affirmed that Homosexuality was being practiced in Nigerian
universities. This is quite revealing to the investigator who has been in the university system for
over three decades. Explanation for the researcher’s naivety is found in the respondents’ reaction
to one of the questionnaire’s questions on whether there are more lecturer homosexuals than
student homosexuals. The response was that homosexuality was more rampant amongst students
than lecturers.
Research Question 3:
What are the perceptions of university undergraduates on homosexuality?
Generally, the respondents felt Homosexuality should not be condoned in society. It is their
general consensus that Homosexuality is weird and asocial. This may be explained in the sense
that all the respondents have religious inclinations. It must be noted here that some of the
respondents believe that individuals should be allowed to take decisions for their lives on
sexuality issues and that Homosexuals should be allowed to lead their lives without molestation.
The position here is further underscored by the fact that Homosexuality is accepted in other parts
of the world so Nigeria cannot afford to be different.

Analysis of Results and Discussion of Findings

While it is true that a lot of undergraduates are aware of the concept of Homosexuality, their
understanding of the concept may only be superficial. Odeleye (2000) posited that Nigerian
undergraduates have the tendency of copying western values since sometimes such values may
represent status symbols. The apprehension here is that if young men “sag” just because it is
western in origin, it may not be as constructive if Homosexuality also is construed in the same
light.

This study reveals that many undergraduates are in the know that Homosexuality is being
practiced on university campuses. Further interaction also revealed that same sex dates and
amorous relationships are being openly displayed in some cases. This has grave implications for
our society which is known to import at will anything western! There is usually the tendency in
young persons to adventurize; the issue then is the imperative of enshrining sex education into
school curriculum at all levels. Teenagers and young adults should be helped to gain
understanding of basic issues of self-esteem, self-image and self-actualization. This should them
as individuals to begin to live lives devoid of pollution of the west.

While some exponents of Homosexuality argue that lesbians and gays are normal people (APA
confirms this), it cannot be faulted that Homosexuality is not as old as man. If animals have
mates of the opposite sex, it stands to reason that men that are much higher and sophisticated
should remain natural and not submit to vile affections (King James Bible Romans 1:24-28).

Conclusion and Recommendations

Homosexuality is well-known in Nigeria and it is getting popular in spite of government’s ban
on its practice. Even though most undergraduates sampled feel Homosexuality is asocial, there is
the tendency for adolescents to get attracted to it following the ‘bandwagon’ syndrome. This is
why it may be needful all hands to be on deck to give proper information on the antecedents and
modus operandi of Homosexuality globally.

Homosexuality is easily one of the fall-outs of the post-Modern world. The post-modern culture
seems to remove all restraints to humanity of man and the whole rationale for human society
may be at jeopardy. It is the contention of this researcher that in the true sense, given the
apparent inherent contradictions in the post-modern philosophy, Homosexuality might be
indicative of some inner personality confusion and deviation from socially acceptable behavior.

The lesbian may be an individual who based on her early year sexual assault experiences has
vowed not to have anything to do with the opposite sex, hence chooses the easier way out.
Johnson (1992), Kaplan (1991), Barrett (1989) and Maltz & Holman (1987) among others
submitted that most homosexuals have had experience of sexual assault at one point in time. It
has also been suggested that many sexual assault victims had confusion as per their sexual
identities in later life, hence submitted to homosexuality. It has been reported that weaker males
have been coerced into homosexual relationship by stronger males.

Added to the above, it must be understood that the individual’s place in society is established to
the degree of his conformity to social norms and natural laws. Homosexuality thus tends to
contradict the natural male-female relationship which is basic to all animals, of which man is
highest. Homosexuality apparently negates a primary reason for sex, which is procreation. In a
homosexual relationship, raising offspring is excluded, which naturally calls to question the real
essence of homosexuality.
Change exponents posit that social and cultural institutions should not be left out in the global
change. While concurring to the imperative of change in life, it must be understood that while
processes and procedures do change, there are certain fundamental human institutions that must
remain if society would remain. Marriage institution and its affiliates must remain if the world
would sustain her sanity. One cannot imagine a society of gays and lesbians; soon enough, all of
us would be gays and the world would be destroyed. Since the world is created and sustained by
a superior being (Genesis 1:1), it is only commonsensical that He only is capable of changing the
whole system and rebuilds it. Man, at his best form, is incapable of such grace.

All said, Homosexuality remains a major issue, both for government and for stakeholders such as
parents, religious organisations and helping agencies like Counselling Association of Nigeria
(CASSON) and Nigerian Psychological Association. Government, on its own part, needs to
affirm her position that Homosexuality is outlawed and put machinery into motion for education
and reorientation of the citizenry on Homosexuality. Parents, guardians, Churches and other
spirit-minded agencies should begin to educate young people from very early ages on socially-
accepted norms and values. Therapeutic associations such as CASSON should encourage
research on Homosexuality and begin to propose various intervention strategies to help lesbians
and gays.

In all, it can be affirmed that Homosexuality in Nigeria’s university system presents counselors a
window of opportunities to help lesbians and gays to resume socially-acceptable lifestyles. In
order to make this happen, it is suggested that collaborative efforts be made to work with others
in the helping profession. For instance, biblical counselors and deliverance ministers can also be
engaged in helping individuals with the challenge of homosexuality.

Even though the American Psychological Association (APA) claimed that it had established a
biological basis for homosexuality (http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/index.aspx), that claim
has been debunked by scientists. Rather, the theory of past sexual assault accounting
Homosexual behavior does seem to make sense. It is the view of this investigator that further
research should be conducted into the socio-psychology of the Homosexual. This would create
an avenue for therapists to enter into the world of the Homosexuals in order to gain better
understanding of the problem and thus be in position to give requisite help to such individuals.

References
Barrett, M.B. (1989) Invisible Lives  NY: William Morrow & Co. p. 140.

Johnson, J.J. (1992) Teen Prostitution  NY & Chicago: Franklin Watts Publishers, p. 53.

Justice, B. & R. (1982) The Broken Taboo: Sex in the Family (quoted in the book Incest: a
family pattern by Jean Renvoize, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1982, p. 127

Kaplan, L.J (1991) Female Perversions  NY: Doubleday, p. 437.

Maltz, W. & Holman B. (1987) Incest and Sexuality  Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, p. 72.

Odeleye, D.A. (200) Psychological Correlates of Contemporary Clothing Habits of Nigerian

Undergraduates. Unpublished PhD Thesis submitted to Obafemi Awolowo University,
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Russell D.E.H. (1986) The Secret Trauma  NY: Basic Books, Inc., p. 199.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/homresolution.htm Retrieved on August 27, 2012

http://home60515.com/3.html Retrieved on August 27, 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattachine_Society Retrieved on August 27, 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality Retrieved on August 27, 2012

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Nigeria) Retrieved on August 27, 2012

http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/index.aspx Retrieved on August 28, 2012

Abbidde, Sabella (2011) Sex and Homosexuality in Nigeria. THE PUNCH, Wednesday
December 14, 2011

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/features/30912-homosexuality-in-nigeria Retrieved August 25,

2013

The Bible KJV (1611) Genesis 1:1

The Bible KJV (1611) Genesis 19:1-25

The Bible KJV (1611) Romans 1:24-28

The Holy Qur’an