In
Nigeria
, the most populated country in the African continent, Homosexuality is illegal. Soon the Nigerian government is likely to pass a same-sex "marriage" ban that would imprison anyone who "performs, witnesses, aids or abets the ceremony of same-sex marriage" or forms gay groups.
Archbishop Peter Akinola, who heads the
Church
of
Nigeria
in the Anglican Communion, is a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage and the consecration of openly gay men as priests. His conservative stance is reflective of Nigerian tradition where homosexuality is seen as "taboo."
Davis Mac-Iyalla is the founder of Changing Attitude-Nigeria. Changing Attitude-Nigeria is a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members.
Davis
wants equality for lesbians and gays within the Anglican Church. The Nigerian church calls Mac-Iyalla a “fraudster” and in a media release, claims he's not a member of any parish and accuses him of theft. The release goes on to denounce homosexuality and says American and
U.K.
churches are misguided for accepting it.
When Mac-Iyalla, who's an active member of the
Church
of
Nigeria
, founded Changing Attitude-Nigeria, he was reportedly fired from his job as a school principal and ostracized by his family and friends.
Davis
was forced to flee
Nigeria
recently due to persistent death threats. He's now on a 20 cities tour, including here in
Chicago
…
Also with
Davis
is Andy Thayer. Andy is Co-Founder of the Gay Liberation Network and they're helping to sponsor
Davis
'
Chicago
appearance.
