A Compendium

Four things - not necessarily related.

1. The Lagos Guardian, no major supporter of gay rights, has published an editorial that questions why the Nigerian Parliament is wasting time considering legislation that would make same sex marriage illegal - marriage actively supported by the odious Primate of Nigeria.

Homosexual acts are already criminal offences in Nigeria. When your very existence is threatened in an authoritarian state, you tend to focus on more immediate issues - like not being beaten to death or not being thrown in jail. I doubt that marriage is even on the radar for LGBTQ Nigerians.

The editorial mostly defends homophobia - but it closes with a paragraph that is worth reading by any sane person:

Since sodomy is already criminalised in Nigeria, we wonder whether the National Assembly is utilising its time optimally by focusing on homosexuality when the majority of our people are suffering from hunger, lack of access to water and disease. Moreover, as pointed out by the gay lobbyists, same sex marriage is not a common social practice in Nigeria therefore legislating against it is redundant and can only further stigmatise the sexual minority. Perhaps the National Assembly should be spending its time on real issues that impact on the lives of long-suffering Nigerians.

Of course, it is obvious why Akinola et al are so determined to pass this bill (having lost in last year's effort to criminalize tolerance towards gays and lesbians). LGBTQ people are a good wedge issue, as Karl Rove knew full well. And wedge issues are a very effective distraction from real issues. Thus they serve corrupt politicians very well - whether secular or ecclesiastical.


2. Portia de Rossi satirizes the silliness of arguments against secular legalization of same sex marriage in this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live.




3. It happens to be the anniversary of the assassination of Oscar Romero, Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador. He was shot to death while celebrating mass in a hospital chapel. Despite his reputation as a conservative, he was highly critical of the far right regime and their death squads and an uncompromising shepherd of the Salvadoran people. The following clip shows real footage of Romero with clips of the actor Raul Julia who portrayed the archbishop in the movie Romero.




4. As my Facebook friends will know, I expect to be making an announcement in the next few days regarding my future career. I'd appreciate prayers from any and all for the success of this venture. Details to follow.