Changing Attitude Nigeria leader in danger

[suzer1013]

Changing Attitudes is a GLBT rights group in Nigeria. As has been posted here before, a very discriminatory and dangerous bill is being passed through Nigeria's government (with the full support of Anglican Archbishop Akinola) which, in a country where GLBT people can already be put to death for their orientation, now bans GLBT people even meeting together and also punishes anyone who is not GLBT but supports GLBT efforts for equality.

Davis Mac-Iyalla is the head of Changing Attitudes Nigeria. This e-mail exchange is appearing on a couple of Episcopal blogs I read, and it frightens me. After the recent Primates meeting, I was concerned that Mac-Iyalla might be murdered, and now I am more concerned.

I don't know yet exactly what we can do to help. Beyond prayer and writing to your local bishop, I don't know there is much we can do. But I know some of y'all at Soulforce would want to keep up with this news, and perhaps the leadership of Soulforce might have a voice that will be listened to. I'll keep you updated if I hear anything further. The e-mail is below. I think the note at the end, under Mac-Iyalla's name, is from MadPriest - - I found this on his blog.

Susan

Laurie
Davis has just signed off after a long day and evening and is going to spend the
night somewhere safe.

Yes, it is ok to pass on the text as it stands

Erika



Very sorry to hear this Davis.

Is it okay to use and re-send this email text , as it stands ?
best wishes
Laurence


Dear Friends,

I don't know if members of this group can do much to
help us in Nigeria?
This morning I got a call from an unknown caller who
wanted to find out where I am at the time. I ask him
to introduced himself since I don't know him and he
said so you are back from your trip and off the phone
on me. I called the number back and a woman picked and
said it is a public call phone. My surprise is how he
did get my number which is very private.

I have been talking with friends and supporters of how
to go to a safe place for some time at list.

the bill to ban us in moving fast to become law.

The worst of all is that +Akinola is the master and
brain be hide this bill, recently he has been lobbying
the presidency to put pressure on the senate and house
of representatives to speed up the process in
passing the bill.

This evening I have receive news from Abuja that the
bill is likely to be passed before the end of March.
And members of Akinola staffs boosting that CAN will
soon be illegal and me will be sent to prison. Most of
my members are now calling and sending me mails to ask
what will become of them if this bill is passed?

This is one question that I don't have the answers to
right now, my appeal to everyone is to help use any
medium that you can to drew the attention of the world
and church leaders to this Nigerian problem.

If tears can changed things I think by now I would
have changed the situation of the Nigerian LGBT
Christians.

If you can dear brothers and sisters please give a
last minute call to your bishops or anyone you know
that can add there voices to put pressures on the
Nigerian government and +Akinola who is the current
president of the Nigeria Chastain Association that is
requiting that the bill be passed soon.

Please spread this massage if you can.

Thanks
Davis Mac-Iyalla
CA Nigeria

I think the time has come for us to actually do something.
We have the internet
We have each other
and the Lord is with us.

I mean this. If we don't do something Akinola is going to kill somebody. Williams will be blamed for the death and our Church will die.

[Zerbie]

I have heard of bills like this before - in fact, it may be the SAME bill. Did it originate in the past year or so?

My first question is - is Amnest International on top of this one? It sounds like one for their "outfront" international LGBT advocacy chapter.

Suze, I will try looking this up via AI. They have been known to have influence because of their vast letter-writing campaign. At least, we believe that AI had something to do with prisoner-releases in the past. For instance, the men imprisoned last year in Cameroon.

Thanks for posting this. Sounds like a REAL emergency. Please post updates, especially if you have any direct actions we can take (sample letters and contact information for government officials, say.)

[Zerbie]

It IS the same legislation that I remembered reading about last year. It was introduced in January 2006 - makes a prison sentence for consensual adult gay sexual relations, for displaying a same-sex "amorous" relationship in public either directly OR INDIRECTLY, and/or for any public advocacy for lesbian or gay individuals. Ie, if I were Nigerian, I could be sent to prison for what I am doing now.

Here's the info and action alert page on Amnesty International's site, names and addresses to contact and voice opposition to this frightful violation of human rights.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index...pen&of=ENG-NGA

Do we have any way of knowing if Mac Iyalla's situation has been brought to Amnesty's attention?

[suzer1013]

Hi Zerbie! I think Amnesty International is involved. I'll try to find out more. I don't have much time tonight, but perhaps I can get to it tomorrow.

There is a branch of Changing Attitudes in England. It's website is:

http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/home/home.asp

They may have news as it happens. I'll try to find out how we can alert AI about this. I expect they may already have been contacted.

Thanks, Zerbie!

Susan

[NathanATX]

I'm going to write my next article on this issue.
Nate

[andrewlittle]

There is no indication on the Changng Attitudes website in Britain that they know of Davis' plight. I sent a message to Rev Colin Coward to see if they can expand the range of people who are aware and involved.

I will see if I can contact ministers I know in England and Australia - they will not be Anglicans, so you'll have to settle for Reformed and Methodists.

[suzer1013]

I haven't heard anything of substance yet, but I have heard that The Episcopal Church is expected to respond in some way to this situation by Thursday. It is possible there is a news blackout of sorts, to protect where Mr. Mac-Iyalla is -- we would not want his place of safety to be compromised.

Some in TEC are saying "write to Lambeth" and others are saying, "heck with that, we must respond with more force and urgency."

I'll let you know as I get more information.

Susan

[suzer1013]

No news yet. Nigeria is supposed to be voting on the law today. A blogger that I read regularly pointed me to this blog for news:

http://www.politicalspaghetti.blogspot.com/

I'll let y'all know if/when I hear anything, but as I'm trying to limit my internet time (for the sake of my sanity), you might want to check the blog above for more timely updates than I may be able to give.

Blessings, y'all....(and that includes Mac-Iyalla and all our GLBT Nigerian brothers and sisters).....

Susan

[suzer1013]

A member of Integrity USA (the group working for full inclusivity of GLBT people in The Episcopal Church) received the following e-mail, which Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton posted on her blog. Apparently, Mac-Iyalla is safe for the moment. No news yet on whether the bill has passed in Nigeria, but he sent a word of thanks to those who are lobbying against the bill:

Note: Davis Mac-Iyalla, director of Changing Attitudes, Nigeria and the courageous gay man who met with Peter Jasper Akinola and other Primates during their gathering in Tanzania, has written a note to John Clinton Bradley, of IntegrityUSA. It's good to know that Davis is safe.

Dear John Clinton Bradley,

We want to thank you and Integrity USA for answering to our call for help and for spreading the news about our situation in Nigeria to the Bishops and there Deputies and other organization and individuals who have been calling and putting pressures on the Nigerian government and +Akinola to have a rethink and withdrew the fast moving bill to ban same sex relationships in Nigeria.

I am personally moved by the support giving to me by our brothers and sisters in the US and other parts of the world.

We pray that God bless and keep you and make us more united for Christ.

Thanks
Davis Mac-Iyalla
Changing Attitude Nigeria


Susan

[suzer1013]

PRESS RELEASE
Changing Attitude England challenges Primate of All Nigeria to protect Davis Mac-Iyalla
Friday, 2 March 2007
by Colin Coward


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For immediate release

Changing Attitude England challenges the Primate of All Nigeria and CANA Bishop Martyn Minns to publicly defend Davis Mac-Iyalla

Davis Mac-Iyalla, Director of Changing Attitude Nigeria, has been the subject of further intimidation this week. He was visited when absent from his place of work by two men who were identified as Nigerians. They wanted to speak with Davis and withdrew when told he wasn’t there. The same morning he was telephoned on his private mobile number by a Nigerian who said ‘So you are back from your trip to Tanzania‘ and then terminated the call.

To protect himself, Mr Mac-Iyalla has withdrawn to a safe location. He believes that members of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) are increasing their intimidation of him following his presence at the Primates’ meeting in Dar Es Salaam and coinciding with progress in Nigeria on the proposed anti-gay legislation.

The threats of violence and intimidation against Mr Mac-Iyalla can only come from members of the Church of Nigeria and with the approval and encouragement of the Church. Changing Attitude believes Mr Mac-Iyalla’s presence in Tanzania has very seriously angered and disturbed the Nigerian hierarchy. He has shown publicly that the statements issued about him by the Church are totally untrue. It is the deliberate action of the Church of Nigeria, organised we believe from the centre, that is leading to these further acts of intimidation against Mr Mac-Iyalla.

The threats are having a devastating effect on the 2,000 members of Changing Attitude Nigeria in their 8 diocesan groups. They are very scared for Davis Mac-Iyalla’s safety and feel worried and intimidated themselves. The threats are having an effect which is no doubt intended by the Church to silence and ultimately eradicate their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

In his meeting with Mr Mac-Iyalla at the White Sands Hotel in Dar Es Salaam, Archbishop Peter Akinola confirmed that Davis is a member of the Church of Nigeria whom he had met on several occasions when Davis was serving the Bishop of Otukpo. Archbishop Akinola did not at any moment suggest that Davis was a criminal who is being sought by the church and police in Nigeria on charges of theft. The meeting was witnessed by Bishop Martyn Minns and Canons David Anderson and Chris Sugden.

Changing Attitude England and Nigeria challenge the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Revd Peter Akinola, and the CANA bishop in the USA, the Rt Revd Martyn Minns, to issue a statement denouncing those church members who are threatening violence. We ask both the Archbishop and Bishop to unreservedly demand protection for Mr Mac-Iyalla and confirm the sanctity of all human life, whatever a person’s sexual orientation, in conformity with the Lambeth Conference 1998 Resolution 1.10 and paragraph 146 of the Windsor report which states that ‘any demonising of homosexual persons, or their ill treatment, is totally against Christian charity and basic principles of pastoral care.’

The Revd Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude England, said:

“Ii is intolerable that no Nigerian Bishop or Archbishop has issued a statement condemning the threats of violence and intimidation against Mr Mac-Iyalla. By their silence, they are tacitly showing approval for those members of the Church of Nigeria who believe they have the blessing of their church to abuse another Anglican and threaten to commit murder by drenching him in acid.”

“Both Archbishop Akinola and Bishop Martyn Minns are now implicated in the deep and destructive prejudice shown towards lesbian and gay people in Nigeria, characterised by the threats against Davis Mac-Iyalla and the Church of Nigeria‘s support for the proposed anti-gay legislation.“

“In Dar Es Salaam, in front of Canon David Anderson and Canon Chris Sugden, I asked Bishop Minns to contact Canon Akintunde Popoola and tell him to cease issuing lies and false statements about Davis. These statements have encouraged Nigerian church members to visit Mr Mac-Iyalla and threaten him with death. I have not yet received confirmation from Bishop Minns that he has done this, nor that such assurances have been given.”

“Time is now urgent. Mr Mac-Iyalla has been forced into hiding yet again. The Primatial and Episcopal leaders of the Church of Nigeria are acting with blind disregard for the safety of one of their own church members. They are deliberately supporting a bill which contravenes basic human rights and justice and renders the listening process impossible in Nigeria.”

END

Contact:
Davis Mac-Iyalla, Director of Changing Attitude Nigeria
Tel. Mobile: +2348025866133
Email: davis@nigeria.changingattitude.org

Revd Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude England
Tel. Office: 01380 724908
Mobile: 07770 844302
email: colin@changingattitude.org

[dsdrane]

This is absolutely outrageous!

For all that's holy, where the HELL are the voices of condemnation from AC leaders or any other leader, for that matter?

[suzer1013]

David -- there was a letter signed by at least a couple hundred clergy representatives. I saw it a few days ago and I'll find it again and post it here. However, predictably, all the clergy signatories were liberal/progressive, so their words won't carry much weight with the Nigerians or other more fundamentalist types in the Anglican Communion. In fact, with none of the Network or more conservative bishops/clergy signing on, the Nigerians will probably toss the letter as soon as they get it. It is terribly frustrating.

Susan

[suzer1013]

Here is the letter from the progressive clergy. The list of signatories is very long. If you'd like to see the letter with the signatures, the link is here:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/27/nigeri15425.htm

There is also a lot more information here:

http://www.politicalspaghetti.blogspot.com/

Matt Thompson has some suggestions of "to dos" -- who to write to, call, etc.

Susan
________________________


Faith Leaders Condemn Repressive Nigerian Legislation
February 27, 2007

Honorable Senator Ken Nnamani
President of the Senate
Owa Building
Amichi-Uwani
Awkunanaw
Enugu South, Enugu State
NIGERIA
Via email: knnamani@nassnig.org

Honorable Senator Ibrahim Mantu
Deputy President of Senate
Panshin Road Opposite Mangu Local Government Secretariat
Mangu, Plateau
NIGERIA
Via email: imantu@nassnig.org

Honorable Senator Nnamani and Honorable Senator Mantu:


It has been called to our attention that a bill now before the National Assembly would strip a section of the Nigerian people of their basic human rights. The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2006 goes far beyond banning equality in civil marriage. It is an assault on everyone’s basic freedoms. As leaders of faith communities, we believe that respecting the dignity of every human being is a core spiritual value. We urge you as civic leaders to respect human dignity by rejecting this bill.

The bill says that the law will provide five years imprisonment to anyone who “goes through the ceremony of marriage with a person of the same sex,” helps or supports a same sex marriage, or “is involved in the registration of gay clubs, societies and organizations, sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly in public and in private.” It will also prohibit adoption of children by lesbian or gay couples or individuals. Arresting people for these acts challenges fundamental freedoms under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law and standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

This proposed legislation also hurts Nigeria in its struggle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. This bill would drive part of the population deeper into invisibility and silence—cutting them off from any sort of education concerning how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.

The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights affirms the equality of all people. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria acceded to in 1993, protects the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly and freedom of association. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders says that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels: a) to meet or assemble peacefully; b) to form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups.”

Most importantly, this bill would strike at the equality, dignity and respect due all people in Nigeria. As faith leaders we are committed to building bridges of understanding across divides of difference. We believe all people of faith are called to work together for a world of justice, peace and equality. We urge you to resist the polarizing rhetoric of some narrow, religious ideologues and instead affirm the fundamental values of freedom reflected in the Nigerian Constitution.

We are asking that you oppose this bill and protect the equality of all Nigerians. Your assistance is necessary in order to overcome the discrimination that takes place in the world today. We are depending on you to do all you can to prevent this bill from being passed and to take a stand for the basic human rights of all people.

Sincerely,

[Zerbie]

That's a beautifully written letter. I hope they do more than ignore it and toss it in the round file.

Anything a non-Anglican, random person like me can do? Last year I sent emails through Amnesty International opposing that law.

[suzer1013]

Here is a list of things you can do, depending on whether you are Anglican or not. (Zerbie, there's info. for you here, too!) This is taken from the Political Spaghetti blog I linked in a previous post:


[updated significantly below. And I've heard word that calling or writing the Nigerian government directly is unlikely to do any good. So I've added contact info for the Church of Nigeria, and deleted the embassy numbers.]

Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu (see here) was in DC today. I have it on good authority that a letter of protest was delivered to him by Congressman Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo, California, 12th District) regarding the "gay marriage" legislation. No word on the text of Lantos' letter.

Letters to Nigeria by American legislators is nothing new. Another letter was sent to Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts, 4th District) on May 2, 2006. The text can be found here. Frank's argument was that as ranking member (and now Chair, I should add) of the Financial Services Committee, he had the power to cut off aid to Nigeria should Obasanjo sign the legislation. I wonder if that threat is still intact.

Make calls of support to Congressmen Lantos and Frank, and encourage your friends to do the same:

Congressman Tom Lantos
2413 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3531

Congressman Barney Frank
2252 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5931

Email is good, but a phone call is way better. Tell them that you appreciate their concern for civil rights abroad, and their efforts to encourage Nigeria to avoid making a terrible mistake.

If you're a Republican, get over it and give these folks a call anyway. They're doing God's work with this legislation, and they're doing it right now.

Also, I should add, if and only if you're a member or incipient member of a CANA parish, contact Bishop Martyn Minns:

The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns
mminns@trurochurch.org
703.273.1300 x140
Truro Church
10520 Main Street
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

If and only if you're a member of a Network parish or diocese, contact Bishop Robert Duncan:

The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan
duncan@pgh.anglican.org
412-281-6131
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
900 Oliver Building
535 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA, 15222-2467

If you're an Anglican, contact Archbishop Rowan Williams and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori:

The Most Reverend Rowan Williams
The Press Office
Lambeth Palace
London SE1 7JU
Tel: 020 7898 1200
Fax: 020 7261 1765
Press Secretary's email: jonathan.jennings@lambethpalace.org.uk

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017
E-mail: pboffice@episcopalchurch.org
Phone: (800) 334-7626

If you're "nothing at all," and you don't know who to write, contact your US Representative or Senator, or the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) -- BE POLITE!:

Archbishop Peter Akinola (primate@anglican-nig.org)

Archbishop Akinola's Communications Director, Canon Akintude Popoola (communicator1@anglican-nig.org)

What to say:

Tell them all that the "same-sex marriage" legislation before the Nigerian Federal Assembly is undemocratic, it violates the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, it has been condemned by the US State Department and 16 human rights organizations, it is in violation of the Nigerian Constitution, and it is in violation of Christian and Muslim principles.

Most importantly, stress the urgency of action, and above all, be very, very polite.

[suzer1013]

If anyone is needing help in what to write to the various officials involved, here is what I wrote. It's not great, but it's a start. You might be able to take what I've written and work from it if you choose.

To my government representatives:

I have great respect for your work and accomplishments, and sincerely
thank you for all the great work you have done for our state and our
country. I wanted to bring to your attention a human rights issue that
is currently being debated in the country of Nigeria. While I know that
your focus is not primarily on international issues, I think that our
country has a responsibility to speak out against the anti-gay legislation that is being proposed in that country.

There is legislation being proposed that will further criminalize (gays
and lesbians, or suspected gays and lesbians already face imprisonment
and even death in that country) the GLBT community. The legislation is
purported to be an anti-same sex marriage bill, but it also penalizes
gay people meeting in public and supporters of gay people. The law is
draconian and dangerous, and it is urgent that our country's leaders,
both governmental and religious, join the other voices that have already
spoken out against this Nigerian legislation.

The legislation before the Nigerian Federal Assembly is undemocratic,
it violates the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, it has been condemned by the US State Department and 16 human rights organizations, it is in violation of the Nigerian Constitution, and it is in violation of
Christian and Muslim principles.

I urge you to please speak out against this legislation. If the West
continues to ignore what is happening in Africa, I fear we will see
another genocide like Rwanda (as we are already witnessing in Sudan).
I fear we will see another Afghanistan. Please lend your voice to
support those who oppose this bill. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

To my church leaders:

I greet you in the name of Christ and as a sister in Christ. I am a lifelong Episcopalian and write to urge you to speak out against the anti-gay Nigerian legislation that is being supported by Archbishop Akinola and the Anglican church in Nigeria. I am fearful for the lives of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in that country. While debate rages on about the place of GLBT persons within the Anglican communion, it is at least obvious that the imprisonment and murder of GLBT persons is unconscionable and against Christian teaching.

I most respectfully request that you lend your voice to the many human rights groups already opposing this legislation. You are highly respected and your influence could make a difference in the lives of those who are threatened by this bill.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours most respectfully,

[bryanf]

Though I am not a fan of this bill at all. And I think it is hideous. But let us not forget that in adopting it they are actually taking a step forward in tolerance. Atleast the option for death is going to be removed. I mean really I would rather be a an imprisoned gay man than a dead gay man.

B.Ryan.F.

[suzer1013]

Bryan, with all due respect, and given what I've read about the conditions of the prisons in Nigeria, and the routine torture of prisoners, death might actually be preferable in this case.

This law is not ending the murder of GLBT people in Nigeria. I believe homosexuality is still criminalized with the death penalty in that country. What this law does is make is a criminal act to publicly or privately support homosexuality in any way, to hold or even attend a same sex blessing. The legislation can be read so broadly as to even deny the right to eat together at a restaurant.

There are some who are spinning this situation as "well, at least it's not advocating murder." The legislation will simply create even more discrimination against GLBT people in that country.

Susan

[NathanATX]

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/m...p?storyid=5639

"...
Today is an entirely different story because Anglicanism is no longer the quintessential English Church, and the issues are much more rudimentary. Today Anglicanism is much more African and Asian - and thankfully for the Worldwide Anglican Communion - possesses much greater clarity about what it is, and what it is not.

Africans, Asians and an increasing number of conservative Anglican westerners have no temperament for "compromise" simply for the sake of peace, especially when such a peace would ultimately mean betraying what it means to be Christian.

Unlike their English protegees, compromising on essentials is seen as no way towards lasting peace and unity because for them the issue is categorically clear: will Anglicans remain an authentic Christian church that adheres to biblical authority or will it become paganized - a secular haven for social-justice glee-club theories?

From the sounds of it, Nigerian Primate Peter Akinola, the leader of the Global South, has no plans to muddle through the homosexual agenda. There is simply no room for the "via-media" this time. Which probably means that this will be the last time an Englishman will have to worry about trying to make peace within the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

And frankly, this is one westerner who is profoundly glad.

Yours for our culture,

Tristan Emmanuel
ECP Centre President"

[NathanATX]

http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/cal...event_id=40355

Watch a webcast video of Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefforts Schori viewpoint about the recent Primates meeting in Tanzania.