NYC Nigerian Global Day of Action Speech by Nigerian LGBTQ Activist Adejoke Tugbiyele Friday, March 7, 2014

New York CityOn Friday, March 7, 2014, hundreds demonstrated and nine activists were arrested in front of the Consulate General of Nigeria in Manhattan to protest the draconian anti-LGBT law signed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on January 14, a law that makes gay marriage and same-sex relationships crimes punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The protest, organized by The Nigerian Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights, was one of a number that took place that day in other cities, including Washington, DC, and London. The overarching demand: to rescind the law and let LGBT Nigerians live their lives free of discrimination and violence. Speakers at the New York rally included Nigerian LGBT activists Michael Ighodaro, Adaku Utah, Adejoke Tugbiyele, and Ekene Okwuegbunam, Housing Works President & CEO Charles King, and ACT UPs Jim Eigo. The text of the remarks by U.S. Representative for The Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights Adejoke Tugbiyele appears below. Dear brothers and sisters, I applaud you for coming out on this cold day to stand with solidarity in protesting a law that hates. A law that divides. A law that dehumanizes us because of our sexual identities. With Nigeria's passing of the anti-gay law, dubiously titled the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, the entire country took a huge step backwards and now, we sit on the wrong side of history. Our actions here today are a huge step towards speaking up for our human rights and our right to life and good health and speaking to the ongoing HIV/ AIDS battle in Nigeria. While we are here today in recognition of Nigeria's law, we stand with our brothers in Uganda, Russia, and every corner of the Diaspora, to say NO to those who threaten our right to love. My name is Adejoke Tugbiyele and I am the U.S. Representative for Solidarity Alliance, based in Nigeria. On behalf of Solidarity Alliance for Human Rights, I would like to thank several people. First and foremost, thanks to Charles King and his team at Housing Works for their supernatural efforts in making today possible. I would also like to thank Kent Klindera at amfAR and Brian Tofte Schumacher at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission for their support and dedication, in more ways than I describe. Sadly, Kent couldn't be here today, but I am aware that his colleague Noza has joined us in solidarity. Thank you! I thank Olubode Shawn Brown of BLOOM for hosting a fabulous pep party at the Ritz, Adaku Utah for her healing words and products, Ekene Okwuegbunam for his logistical expertise, and Akinpelumi Okelola, who isn't here physically, but who is tweeting away to get celebrities on board for our protest today. A very special thanks is reserved for Michael Ighodaro, whose tireless work from Day One has made today possible. Him and his initial core team of Bisi Alimi, Ifeanyi Orazulike, and Ayodele Olofintuade started all of us off on the path to protesting injustice today. Thank you once again for standing with us today! Housing Works is taking action by providing housing, health care, and legal support to LGBT activists from Nigeria, Uganda, and other nations who have come to the U.S. to escape imprisonment and violence for the way they live. You can help by donating today: to the Housing Works Asylum Project and to Housing Works ongoing advocacy campaigns like the one above.