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Five years ago, the Nigerian government signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, essentially banning gay relationships. Activists say the law has worsened discrimination against sexual minorities in the highly religious country. They also claim there’s been a rise in instances of extortion and blackmail of the LGBTQI+ community by security forces. Half a decade after the law passed, our correspondent Mayeni Jones investigates what life is really like for Nigeria’s gay community. Source

How to come out as gay: Atta recommends telling somebody that you trust first. After you’ve got one ally, “you have your support and I think the rest gets easier from there,” he explains. For him, navigating his identity became easier once he found black, queer communities that he felt he belonged to. Lastly, do not worry about when you come out, he says. “It doesn’t have to be on National Coming Out Day, it could be any day because that will be your national coming out day.” Source

An old short film with a gay character played by a Nigerian seems to have a lesson for us all. It sort of reawakens and enforces the need to sometimes question some of our beliefs and values. The 2013 short film ‘Siri Oko Fo [Mending Fences]’ explored the life of an interracial gay couple living abroad. Nigerian filmmaker Ebbe Bassey was the Executive Director of the film and the producers are Josh Hetzler and Ed Ro. Starring in the film are Ebbe Bassey, Aminah James, Kola Ogundiran, and Ash Roeca. Other themes explored in the film are love, family bonds, same-sex parenting, and female genital mutilation in Nigeria. Also, the film made its debut at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in Nice, France and has gone on to screen at other festivals such as the Hollywood Black Film Festival (Los Angeles), Urban World Film Festival (New York), etc. In a country where so many people do not understand what it truly means to be gay, films such as this, are means through which people can learn and understand the struggles and realities of being gay and Nigerian. Source

Gesare Chife said she visited Eastern Nigeria for the first time and what struck her was the land left uncultivated, which is something unusual in Kenya. Source

A new web-series produced by super-star Nollywood actress and film producer, Uche Jombo, highlights issues relating to men pretending to be gay for financial gains. Many young Nigerian men, deceive gay men into believing that they are gay with an intention to rip them off. Most times things get very ugly for both parties, but more often, gay men are mostly blackmailed and extorted if they refuse to keep up. However, Jombo’s new series ‘Social Media Slay’ addresses and highlights the issue from a whole different and interesting perspective with an exciting twist. The reality/drama series is based around real-life experiences of people living fake on the internet. The film was released under Jumbo’s film company Uche Jombo Studios and is exclusively available on Nvivo TV, a new Nigerian online free video streaming platform. Episode 3 of the series is a must-watch, especially for those thinking about deceiving gay people for financial gains. This is particularly exciting as we are beginning to witness an era where queer issues are being objectively addressed in the Nigerian mainstream media. To watch the film, click HERE. Source

Gay people are mostly misunderstood and seen in more negative ways, a lot of the things people believe about LGBTIQ+ people are complete lies based entirely on stereotypes. But what many do not know is that there are so many fantastic and awesome things about LGBTIQ+ people. Read below 5 things that people do not know about gay people. 1. THEY ARE INFLUENTIAL Most gay people might not like the sort of attention their sexuality brings. But the truth is; no one can decide how people react to their personality. Gay people are like stars and celebrities. They command so much attention wherever they are spotted. This is because like stars, they are meant to shine and influence. 2. THEY ARE FABULOUS. Gay people are special. They have an exceptional sense of humor, class, and style. They are mostly smart and destined for greatness. No wonder people can’t stop obsessing and talking about them. This is because no one can ignore or resist greatness and potentials when they see it. 3. THEY ARE CREATIVE Difference isn’t always a bad thing. Yes, gay people are like everyone else in the sense that they want the same things that every other person wants. But the uniqueness of their sexuality separates them from the crowd. This unique quality allows gay people to see things differently, and this is why they are intensely creative. 4. THEY ARE COMPASSIONATE Because gay people know exactly how it feels to be rejected and discriminated against, they are more sympathetic to other vulnerable groups. They mostly go out of their way to ensure that people are treated fairly. No wonder a lot of them are very passionate about social justice. 5. THEY ARE LOVEABLE Most people who are homophobic are those who do not have a personal relationship with a gay person. Their judgments and bias are mostly based on negative stereotypes and ignorance about gay issues. Those who are close to gay people will tell you that they are the most lovable, disciplined, and focused people you will ever know and meet. Source

The number of people experiencing homelessness in the United States in 2018 increased for the second consecutive year. In 2017, homelessness had increased for the first time in seven years. On a single night last year, more than half a million Americans lacked permanent shelter, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A significant number of people staying in sheltered locations in January 2018 – about 4,000 – were likely displaced by presidentially declared national disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. 48. Kansas City, Missouri • Note: Estimate includes Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte County, Kansas • Homeless population: 1,798 (includes 324 unsheltered) • City population: 151,042 47. New Orleans, Louisiana • Note: Estimate includes Jefferson Parish • Homeless population: 1,188 (includes 594 unsheltered) • City population: 388,182 46. Wichita, Kansas • Note: Estimate includes Sedgwick County • Homeless population: 573 (includes 58 unsheltered) • City population: 389,054 45. Tulsa, Oklahoma • Note: Estimate includes city & county of Tulsa • Homeless population: 1,083 (includes 226 unsheltered) • City population: 401,352 44. Minneapolis, Minnesota • Note: Estimate includes Hennepin County • Homeless population: 3,013 (includes 404 unsheltered) • City population: 411,452 43. Oakland, Berkeley, California • Note: Estimate includes Alameda County • Homeless population: 5,496 (includes 3,863 unsheltered) • City population: 417,442 42. Miami, Florida • Note: Estimate includes Dade County • Homeless population: 3,516 (includes 1,030 unsheltered) • City population: 443,007 41. Raleigh, North Carolina • Note: Estimate includes Wake County • Homeless population: 983 (includes 192 unsheltered) • City population: 449,477 40. Colorado Springs, Colorado • Note: Estimate includes El Paso County • Homeless population: 1,551 (includes 513 unsheltered) • City population: 450,000 39. Virginia Beach, Virginia • Note: Estimate only includes city proper • Homeless population: 243 (includes 72 unsheltered) • City population: 450,057 38. Omaha, Nebraska • Note: Estimate includes the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area • Homeless population: 1,411 (includes 64 unsheltered) • City population: 463,081 37. Atlanta, Georgia • Homeless population: 3,076 (includes 740 unsheltered) • City population: 465,230 36. Long Beach, California • Note: Estimate only includes city proper • Homeless population: 1,873 (includes 1,208 unsheltered) • City population: 470,489 35. Sacramento, California • Note: Estimate includes county of Sacramento • Homeless population: 3,621 (includes 2,052 unsheltered) • City population: 489,650 34. Fresno, California • Note: Estimate includes Fresno and Madera counties • Homeless population: 2,144 (includes 1,681 unsheltered) • City population: 519,037 33. Tucson, Arizona • Note: Estimate includes Pima County • Homeless population: 1,380 (includes 363 unsheltered) • City population: 530,905 32. Albuquerque, New Mexico • Homeless population: 1,340 (includes 384 unsheltered) • City population: 556,718 31. Milwaukee, Wisconsin • Note: Estimate includes Milwaukee city & county • Homeless population: 871 (includes 161 unsheltered) • City population: 599,086 30. Louisville, Kentucky • Note: Estimate includes Jefferson County • Homeless population: 926 (includes 153 unsheltered) • City population: 615,478 29. Baltimore, Maryland • Homeless population: 2,508 (includes 546 unsheltered) • City population: 619,796 28. Las Vegas, Nevada • Note: Estimate includes Clark County • Homeless population: 6,083 (includes 3,884 unsheltered) • City population: 621,662 27. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Homeless population: 1,183 (includes 394 unsheltered) • City population: 629,191 26. Portland, Gresham, Oregon • Note: Estimate includes Multnomah County • Homeless population: 4,019 (includes 1,668 unsheltered) • City population: 630,331 25. Nashville, Tennessee • Note: Estimate includes Davidson County • Homeless population: 2,298 (includes 616 unsheltered) • City population: 654,187 24. Memphis, Tennessee • Note: Estimate includes Shelby County • Homeless population: 1,226 (includes 102 unsheltered) • City population: 654,723 23. Boston, Massachusetts • Note: Estimate includes only city proper • Homeless population: 6,188 (includes 163 unsheltered) • City population: 669,158 22. District of Columbia, District of Columbia • Homeless population: 6,904 (includes 600 unsheltered) • City population: 672,391 21. El Paso, Texas • Note: Estimate includes El Paso County • Homeless population: 892 (includes 177 unsheltered) • City population: 678,266 20. Metropolitan Denver, Colorado • Note: Estimate includes Denver metropolitan area • Homeless population: 5,317 (includes 1,308 unsheltered) • City population: 678,467 19. Detroit, Michigan • Homeless population: 1,769 (includes 158 unsheltered) • City population: 679,865 18. Seattle, Washington • Note: Estimate includes King County • Homeless population: 12,112 (includes 6,320 unsheltered) • City population: 688,245 17. Charlotte, North Carolina • Note: Estimate includes Mecklenberg • Homeless population: 1,668 (includes 209 unsheltered) • City population: 826,060 16. Fort Worth, Arlington, Texas • Note: Estimate includes Tarrant County • Homeless population: 2,015 (includes 678 unsheltered) • City population: 835,129 15. Columbus, Ohio • Note: Estimate includes Franklin County • Homeless population: 1,807 (includes 288 unsheltered) • City population: 852,144 14. Indianapolis, Indiana • Homeless population: 1,682 (includes 136 unsheltered) • City population: 853,431 13. San Francisco, California • Homeless population: 6,857 (includes 4,353 unsheltered) • City population: 864,263 12. Jacksonville-Duval, Florida • Note: Estimate includes Clay County • Homeless population: 1,794 (includes 429 unsheltered) • City population: 867,313 11. Austin, Texas • Note: Estimate includes Travis County • Homeless population: 2,147 (includes 1,014 unsheltered) • City population: 916,906 10. San Jose, California • Note: Estimate includes Santa Clara City & County • Homeless population: 7,254 (includes 5,448 unsheltered) • City population: 1,023,031 9. Dallas, Texas • Note: Estimate includes Dallas County • Homeless population: 4,121 (includes 1,341 unsheltered) • City population: 1,300,122 8. San Diego, California • Note: Estimate includes San Diego city and county • Homeless population: 8,576 (includes 4,990 unsheltered) • City population: 1,390,966 7. San Antonio, Texas • Note: Estimate includes Bexar County • Homeless population: 3,066 (includes 1,353 unsheltered) • City population: 1,461,623 6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Homeless population: 5,788 (includes 1,083 unsheltered) • City population: 1,569,657 5. Phoenix, Arizona • Note: Estimate includes Mesa, Maricopa County • Homeless population: 6,298 (includes 2,618 unsheltered) • City population: 1,574,421 4. Houston, Pasadena, Conroe, Texas • Note: Estimate includes Harris, Ft. Bend, and Montgomery counties • Homeless population: 4,143 (includes 1,614 unsheltered) • City population: 2,267,336 3. Chicago, Illinois • Homeless population: 5,450 (includes 1,357 unsheltered) • City population: 2,722,586 2. Los Angeles, California • Note: Estimate includes Los Angeles city & county • Homeless population: 49,955 (includes 37,570 unsheltered) • City population: 3,949,776 1. New York City, New York • Homeless population: 78,676 (includes 3,711 unsheltered) • City population: 8,560,072 Source

Really nice concept here

Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski wrote a pastoral letter dated September 28, which was published in full by right-wing Polish magazine Do Rzeczy. He said: “Currently we are living at a time in which the next great threat to our freedom has appeared, and it is of a totalitarian nature. “Its source is — just like the totalitarianisms of the 20th century — a radical rejection of God. “As a consequence of this rejection, a new vision of man is being proclaimed in which he becomes a caricature of himself. “As part of gender ideology, there are attempts to obliterate the natural differences between woman and man. “Moreover, through the aggressive propaganda of LGBT ideology in the name of so-called ‘tolerance’ and ‘progress’, that which is most sacred to us is mocked.” He said Christians in Poland were “being forced to promote LGBT ideology”, and added: “This clearly reminds us of the totalitarian times of the Polish People’s Republic, when social advancements were guaranteed only to members of the communist party, and believers were treated as second-class citizens.” Jędraszewski also called World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for sex education in schools an “anti-morality offensive” which would lead to “great spiritual harm done to children and young people”. He also previously said in a sermon that LGBT+ people a “rainbow plague”. He said: “Our land is no longer affected by the red plague, which does not mean that there is no new one that wants to control our souls, hearts and minds… Not red, but rainbow.” American Catholic news site LifeSiteNews approvingly reported the letter from the archbishop, and also quoted a Catholic American student in Kraków who had a bizarre interpretation of the LGBT+ community. Filip Mazurczak said: “While Warsaw hipsters may love LGBT as much as they love veganism, bands nobody else has heard of, and not shaving, a large part of Polish society is conservative and Catholic and opposes this.” Anti-LGBT+ sentiment has been increasing in Poland and LGBT+ rights have become a contentious issue ahead of the October 13 parliamentary election. On September 29, violence erupted during a Pride parade in the Polish city of Lublin as far-right protesters hurled eggs, bottles and firecrackers in an attempt to stop people marching for LGBT+ rights. Source

WhatsApp is the most popular chat app on the planet right now. The Facebook-owned messenger works across an array of mobile platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Mac or Windows PC. It lets users send text messages, videos, photos, files, webpages and more, over a mobile internet connection or Wi-Fi. WhatsApp is not known to race ahead with new or experimental features. Instead, the service plods along and slowly tweaks and improves its apps. As such, new features in WhatsApp are a big deal. We’ve been hearing about some pretty drastic changes in the pipeline for the app, so here’s five incoming changes that you should be on the look-out for… 1 – Vanishing Texts It might sound more like a nasty bug in the app, rather than an exciting new feature, but WhatsApp wants to implement disappearing texts into its app in the future. The SnapChat-inspired new feature will let you set a timer on your texts. So, like Tom Cruise’s boss in the Mission Impossible franchise, you can send messages that will self-destruct after a certain time has passed. WhatsApp looks set to brand the feature “Disappearing Messages,” which isn’t the most thrilling branding, but does the job. 2 – Dark Mode Black is this seasons hottest new trend, with both Google and Apple adding a system-wide Dark Mode to their latest mobile operating system. The option switches every part of the user interface that’s typically bright white to a dark shade of grey, or pitch-black. Apps have to be updated to support the new option – so they’re not blindingly white when users load them up while in Dark Mode. WhatsApp is working hard to support Dark Mode across both platforms, with numerous references to the new option surfacing in beta updates. The first nods to a Dark Mode appeared in September last year, so hopefully WhatsApp is well on track with the design tweak. 3 – WhatsApp Across Devices As it stands, WhatsApp is linked to your personal phone number. It’s a quick and easy way to verify your identity when signing into the app. WhatsApp is looking to become a true multi-platform system that will enable WhatsApp users to use the same account across a number of devices at the same time – in exactly the way Apple iMessage works. The update is a fundamental change to the way WhatsApp works. It means the company can build native apps for Mac and Windows that won’t require your smartphone to be nearby, switched on, or even have WhatsApp installed! 4 – WhatsApp on iPad Until WhatsApp changes its reliance on phone numbers, this is just a pipe-dream. But if the service becomes independent of your mobile number, as outlined above, then a native iPad app could be the next major platform to be supported by WhatsApp. As it stands, WhatsApp does not currently support Wi-Fi only devices. Like Apple’s own iMessage, you’ll be able to pick-up where you left-off with chats, video calls and voice conversations with all of your contacts – with all of your chat history synced to the tablet. The larger screen on the iPad means it’ll be perfect for watching video clips, or reading files sent to you on WhatsApp. 5 – iOS 8 Users Won’t Be Happy Sadly, not all changes are good news. As WhatsApp pushes forward with new features and updates to its core service, it can be difficult for the company to maintain support for ageing operating systems and platforms. Over the years, we’ve seen WhatsApp ditch BlackBerry, Android devices with version 2.3.7, and other smaller phone platforms entirely. WhatsApp has recently refreshed its support page and put another operating system on the chopping block. This time, it’s iOS 8 users who are going to lose access to the Facebook-owned messaging app. In its updated support page, WhatsApp states: “WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 9 or later. On iOS 8, you can no longer create new accounts or reverify existing accounts. “If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS 8 device, you'll be able to use it until February 1, 2020. For the best experience, we recommend you use the latest version of iOS available for your phone.” Source

President Muhammadu Buhari has noted with deep concern, reported attacks on Nigerian citizens and property in South Africa since August 29, 2019. Consequently, the President has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to summon the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria and get a brief on the situation; express Nigeria’s displeasure over the treatment of her citizens; and assurance of the safety of their lives and property. President Buhari has also dispatched a Special Envoy to convey to President Cyril Ramaphosa his concerns and also interact with his South African counterpart on the situation. The Special Envoy is expected to arrive in Pretoria latest Thursday, September 5, 2019. Source