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Friday 4 January 2013

Inside Nigeria's Secret Gay Club - BBC

"About 50 people, mostly men, crowd around the front porch of a social club in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos, cheering on a shy-looking young man, who proceeds to sing a ballad.
Backstage, another man puts on his wig and takes a quick glance at his pocket mirror, before adjusting his tight-fitting red dress. Five other men also dressed in drag outfits appear, checking on each other’s make-up as they wait for their turn to perform for the crowd.



This gathering of members of the gay and lesbian community in Lagos is held regularly, albeit discreetly, but it could soon be illegal. The vast majority of gay Nigerians may not be interested in this kind of event but they still have to hide their sexuality in this conservative society....".

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"At the gay club, despite the jovial atmosphere, there is heightened caution, and no-one is allowed to take any photos. The thought of being identified as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in a country where the public still turns to mob justice haunts some here. And that is a huge concern for Richard (not his real name): “If you don’t become discreet and try to hide yourself, even the man on the street will want to also act on the bill because it has been passed.
“If you’re walking on the street and he stones you, he knows the law would stand for him because the law is against you.”


Credit: BBC
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