Nigeria Set to Pass Harsh Laws Against Associating with Gays

If the House of Representatives in Nigeria votes as expected, a citizen there could serve 5 years in prison for the crime of reading my blog.

The legislation adds to the growing isolation of gays and lesbians in the African nation where sodomy is illegal. In northern Nigeria, which is under Islamic law, homosexuality can be punishable by death and in the rest of the country by long prison terms.

Earlier this year Nigeria made it illegal for same-sex couples to go abroad to marry. When they return they could be imprisoned for five years. Even attending a gay wedding could result in imprisonment.

And according to the AP report in the NY Times the law would include sharing a meal in a restaurant.

Just to remind you, in case you believe this has nothing to do with us over here (a common mentality these days), Nigeria, an OPEC member, is the 5th largest source of U.S. oil imports.

Every mile we drive helps support these atrocities. Feeling good about the world yet?

Many conservative blogs, unhappy with the anti-Bush rhetoric of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, have urged a boycott of Citgo, which is owned by the government of Venezuela. Seems to me there is a far greater evil at play on the African continent. I will continue to support Citgo under the circumstances.