PRIDE TV EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW

SESSION

(Names of  respondents involved in this interview appear in abbreviations due to safety and confidentiality)

 

Writer:: ODAFE U

Hello pride family, my name is ODAFE U and welcome to PRIDE TV Sunday exclusive where I’d be interviewing different people in the Nigerian LGBT community to tell us about their experience and share their story with us.

DE is a gay man living in Nigeria and he would be sharing with us his experience in the LGBT community in Nigeria.

PRIDE TV

QUEER EXPERIENCE INTERVIEW

ODAFE U: Nice having you here

DE: same here

ODAFE U: Great

Off to the first question,  how do you see our community, I mean at this point, do you think we have enough intervention?

DE: Hmmm, Well to some extent

At least I can say with some organizations who provide drugs and other security amenities, I can say it progressing

We’re not there yet but I guess we’re on the route to the place

ODAFE U: Okay great ‚Do you think there’s more we could do?

DE: Yes, a lot we could still do

We still need to fight against discrimination from friends and neighbors

We still must gain political grounds in order for voices to be heard

ODAFE U: Okay very nice

But personally gaining political grounds would be a really a tough one because the society would get in our way before we even think of starting

DE: Yeah I know it going to be tough but I know once we have people who could get there and make our voices heard then we’re sure it might be safer

Even if it’s not going to be legalized but at least the rate of straight guys harassment would be dealt with, there would be a strict law on gender equality

ODAFE U: I hope so too

DE: Yeah

That’s just the way forward

I guess if everyone in this community get educated with some levels of education and experience

Then we could attain political posts

That’s why I always emphasize on everyone in this community being educated

No one should be left behind

We should see how we can help each other

In the next 5 -10 years I see us soaring high above all these harassments

So in totality, when we’re all educated and know our Human Rights, then we’ll be safe

ODAFE U: Yeah if we all have the right education then, we’re all going to be fine either ways. Okay the community aside

Tell us about your experience being queer in Nigeria, how has it been?

DE: Well I’ve experienced a lot

Is it about my first set up or relationship that I thought the person I was dating loved me and didn’t or what?

That’s the truth, the weapon those straight people use is the fact that they know the law or so

ODAFE U: I understand the way you’ve been treated, we all hope for better days So any plans on coming out?

DE: Yeah thanks, Coming out would be tough though, No one might want to come out now knowing fully well the nation we belong to how detrimental it is, It is until there’s a quick response to human equality.

ODAFE U: okay great, Just always know that we at pride tv care about you and we love you Stay safe

Be safe

We love you

DE: I know and thank you for the experience.

 

PRIDETV

INTERVIEW SESSION WITH DE