By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

Homosexual or same sex sexual act is a sexual behaviour that has existed among the human race for aeon period. But what is a homosexual act? It is when two persons who belong to the same gender are sexually involved with each other. For example, instead of being attracted to a person of the opposite gender, a man will be romantically involved with a fellow man.Likewise, ladies who date and have coitus with their fellow ladies are practising same sex sexual alliance. This same sex sexual act is being normalized in most European countries for some reasons, which are both incredulous and believable.

Some people argued, citing medical reports and discoveries, that lesbians and gays did not choose their sexual behaviour. They said that those people’s sexual act and behaviour should be blamed on the biological and chemical compositions in their bodies, which have predisposed them to become attracted to people, who are the same gender as they’re. There are people, who are opposed to this thesis, however. They posit that homosexual act is a learned behaviour, and not a function of a person’s hormonal composition.

Whatever reason why people indulge in homosexual act is immaterial here, since it is not the preoccupation of this article. The fact is that many countries have approved it and backed it with legislation or force of the law. Nowadays, same sex marriages are common happenings in major cities of the world. The sight of two men cuddling each other and smiling in each other’s faces do not and cannot make us feel revulsion. It seems that there is no stopping of same sex sexual alliances in most countries of the world, especially in Europe and America.

But in Africa, it has not gained traction and acceptance because a great number of African people have kicked against it and characterized it as an abominable act that will attract the wrath of God to people, who indulge in it. African people who are predominantly practitioners of Mohammedan religion, Christianity, and African Traditional Religion oppose the practice of homosexualism, vehemently, on the grounds of the teachings of their respective religions.

Again, in Nigeria, which is an African country, the homosexual act is outlawed. Severe punishments are meted out to people who are caught in the act. But the prohibition of homosexual act in Nigeria has not led to its extirpation in the country. Same sex sexual act is still practised on the sly in major cities of Nigeria. The stigmatization of gay men and lesbians and the punishment meted out to them, when caught, have caused the gay men and lesbians to go underground.

An incident that happened in Obosi, Anambra State, Nigeria is worth repeating here so as to situate the act of homosexualism in its proper context in Nigeria. On September 23, 2023, one Udoka Mgbakogu, a native of Obosi, was caught red-handed in the very act of homosexualism with another man, whose name is Uche. Somebody, who was in the know about it, ratted on him. And before one could say Jack Robinson, an irate mob broke down his door and barged into his room. Udoka escaped through the skin of his teeth. But his sexual partner in “sin” was beaten blue and black. And he was later taken to a hospital where he was hospitalized for a long time.

The matter was brought before the custodians of the Obosi culture and traditions, who deliberated on their homosexual alliance. They ruled that what Udoka Mgbakogu did was a sacrilegious act that offended the gods of the land. The punishment meted out to him was banishment from the town of Obosi. His ostracization and banishment from his home town, to which he was emotionally attached, traumatized him. As a result, he became despondent and disillusioned.

But thankfully, after receiving counseling and admonition from psychologists, he picked up the pieces of his life, and returned to his bubbly and cheerful self again. He later migrated to Europe as most of his compatriots are not progressive-minded as to the matter of homosexualism.

Incredibly, till now, the custodians of the Obosi culture and traditions have not reversed their decision and judgement on him. They have not forgiven him for desecrating their land with abominable same sex coitus. In fact, they view him as an outcast and unwanted person in the town. It is not unlikely that they will hunt him down if he visits Nigeria, and return to his home town, Obosi.

His predicament has raised a critical question: If people’s practice of the homosexual act is a function of the composition of the hormones in their bodies, should they be punished for practising lesbianism or gay act? Is banishing a man from his home town for practising same sex act not too heavy a punishment?

Outside Nigeria, the people, who are opposed to the practice of homosexual acts, are viewed as conservatives, who are not keeping pace with the march of modernity. Will Nigeria change its law on same sex sexual alliance? And will Nigerians change its stance and opinion on homosexual act in the foreseeable future? The answers to these pertinent and important questions are in the womb of time.

•Chiedu Uche Okoye, a poet, writes from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State. He can be reached via 08062220654 and 09125204141