In Honor of James: IDAHOT 2015

Today, GLSEN celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) by standing in solidarity with LGBTQI youth around the globe. It's a day of action, celebration, reflection and a reinforced commitment to ensuring a world where all young people can thrive, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. 

We also stand in solidarity with our international partners working to dismantle homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in their countries, often at great personal risk, like our friends at the Philia Life Foundation in Nigeria. 

In today's guest blog, Philia Life Foundation Co-Founder and President, Michael Asuquo, shares his thoughts on human rights in Nigeria, the recent murder of his younger brother, James, and the power of IDAHOT to galvanize the global movement for change. 

 

James Inyang Asuquo is remembered today. We teased him when we called him King James. And today, when I look back, I see he was a King in every way. Not because he played basketball like Lebron or had all the authority of King James of the Holy Bible for whom he was named, but because he was a fighter and pushed to live his life his way.

By four, he had already lost both biological parents. Subjected to live in unspeakable poverty in an African village without running water or electricity, he promised himself he would learn to speak English. He accepted to leave his native state of Akwa Ibom for Lagos as a child laborer; where he learned English and had the leisure of a meal a day. My parents wouldn't let that continue. Shortly after he turned 7, my parents adopted him and made him my youngest brother. Yet James wasn’t satisfied with being considered a “last” in any way, not even in the family.

His excessive colorful outfits made him stand out. His style announced him. His charisma endeared him to all – at least, to those who were willing to know him for who he was and not judge him for being gay. I became an activist in Nigeria because of a few things, chief of which was James. It is hard to see today that he would be written about in the past tense. It is difficult to remember his smile only in the mind and speak of his extremely grand personality with only a few words that can be permitted on sheets of paper.

His passing does not dim the enthusiasm for which we fought and still fight. It only fuels it. For us, he brings the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) home. He makes it have a personal meaning, a purpose, and even a goal.

Just as some in the world today can stand tall because of the Stonewall riots; we hope that because of James and so many other victims of this horrific acts of homophobia in Nigeria, our passion will burn more to push even harder till victory is ours.

Nigeria cannot and should not choose to remain a corner of the world, where she successfully stays away from the limelight of responsibility. She cannot use the darkness to oppress the weak and deny equal rights to the minorities. She cannot unconscionably claim that democracy is Government abiding by the wishes of the majority and forget Government has an obligation to protect the minority. We will oppose her from applauding her horrific crimes as acts of obedience to the gods of the Abrahamic religions; for we too have seen that The Holy Bible and The Holy Qu’ran unequivocally state that “treat others as you wish to be treated”.

If she so claims to be a leader in Africa, then, she must know that position does not just come with the largest economy or a population of 170 million people in a land mass of just about twice the size of California, but she must offer equality and protection to all and start this by eradicating her anti-gay law – the same sex marriage prohibition act. Her homophobic laws not only attack gays, but also attack those who may gather in support of gay rights and even those who witness a gay union. According to PEW Research of 2013, 98% of Nigerians are homophobic. According to my own experience, I would put that at 99.5%

The antigay law and all other factors have empowered hatred – the kind of hatred that leads to eviction of gays or those alleged to be gays from their rented apartments, the kind that leads to Police extortion of those purported to be gays, the kind that leads to physical assaults from mobs and firing from jobs and of course, the kind that leads to death! This culture of hate and disregard has been responsible for several Human Rights Activists in the country refusing to acknowledge gay rights as human rights and those who would naturally speak in favor of it, turning away for fear of their lives and security.

Nevertheless, one thing is certain. We were all born humans and we all die humans. This is the basis of equality. If at the beginning and end of our lives, we are the same; then, why can’t we treat ourselves with fairness and equality while yet living?

This is why we choose to use IDAHOT to remind ourselves of what we have chosen to continue with. This is not about one person. It is not about young or old, rich or poor, male or female. It is about us – all of us. We need to understand that if we do not stand for the truth today, the lie shall rule tomorrow. If we do not seek equality in our time, inequality shall oppress our children. If we do not stand for others, no one shall stand for us.

Michael Asuquo is the President/Co-Founder of The Philia Life Foundation. The Organization educates school children on Human Rights principles according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how that plays the basis for equality, fairness and justice in society; and what is required of the children to uphold those principles. Online, they are responsible for the twitter handle @gayrightsinnig. They also operate the Facebook Page “Nigerian Gays are Nigerians. Stop the Hate” and Facebook Group “End Hate Laws in Africa”.