Domingo Obende and the Gay Culture: Wicked and Ignorant Valuation

A measured response to “There Is No Value In Gay Culture,” Says Senator Domingo Obende, Posted: Jan, 21 2014, 3:01PM Sahara Reporters.
(http://saharareporters.com/news-page/%E2%80%9Cthere-no-value-gay-culture%E2%80%9D-says-senator-domingo-obende)

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“It is awfully painful to know that it cannot be explained to Obende's understanding what Creation and Createdness which we all observe, witness and experience daily tell us about the Creator. What human beings and their societies understand and finally decide for their culture of the day—what is acceptable to them—could not and has never limited nor influenced the Nature of the Creator to express unfathomable variation and variety in the Creation and Createdness. It becomes laughable, then, that a human being should arrogate to himself to judge on behalf of the Creator or in the name of God that which is un/acceptable to God: what is allowable or acceptable to him or his society, yes—maybe; but what is acceptable or unacceptable to God, never!—except in total ignorance. God did not seek the human beings' counsel and or society's approval when God made Man heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, sexual, asexual and other things in-between and even outside the range of divinely determined possibilities. It is a range and a scale that the human mind couldn't even begin to imagine. Yet he, man, is so certain of himself to speak to the Creator's preferences.” –Oguchi Nkwocha, MD.

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So-called Senator Domingo Obende of Nigeria is not an authority in values and culture, so it is preposterous for him to state that “There Is No Value in Gay Culture”. “Says who?” is the only wise response to such a foolish statement as his, a statement which in fact proves that the Senator does not understand human culture and less still, human value. Sure, he can sponsor Bills and make laws Nigerian-style in projection of his own ignorance and that of his colleagues in a dysfunctional system because he is a “Senator” but that's all he can do; and sooner or later, one will ask him “Where is the value in Nigeria's 'Senate Culture'?” As surely as the Sun rises tomorrow, Humanity prevails and along with it, the Human Rights of Gays / LGBT will be accepted and respected, and yes, even in Nigeria.

Point by point, let us dissect Obende's foolishness. By claiming that “homosexuality does not bring any advantage to Nigerian society”, what is he comparing homosexuality with? Since he sees homosexuality as a crime (which is truly nutty), then pray, tell us what advantage does the culture of arranged and or forced marriage of female children—some as young as 12 years of age—in heterosexual settings, bring to the Nigerian society? Isn't this the real crime? If Obende is talking about the contribution of Gays / LGBT to society, if he does not already understand by now that Gays / LGBT are represented and contributing in every walk of life in Nigeria as elsewhere on this planet, side by side with their heterosexual counterparts—military, security, religious, political, social, occupational, professional, menial, leadership, followership—then he is offering another reason why he should have his head re-examined.

With regards to “procreativity”, there are heterosexuals who cannot produce offspring. Some really want to, but are unable. Others have no desire to and won't. So, Obende would classify these heterosexuals as “bring[ing] no advantage to Nigerian Society—and perhaps, pass Bills to make them criminals too?

To invoke the name of religion in his erroneous reasoning is the mark of despots. I can address Christianity which he mentioned. If we agree that the sole Figure of Christianity is Jesus the Christ, then I challenge Obende to show us where Jesus devalued Gays or Gay culture (a point which this writer understands the new Pope is seriously trying to redirect and re-educate Christians about: Christianity is about Christ, not about defending our individual or collective hang-ups, ideologies, customs and prejudices in the name of religion.) For that matter, does Obende not know that there are in fact Christian clergy who are Gay / LGBT and are still performing their religious duty with the highest degree of piety and effectiveness?

It were better that Obende stayed away from God and Creation in justification of his errant reasoning on marriage. The very cultures and nations who own such God / Creation lore which he is quoting and who forced it on Africans already accept Gay / LGBT and the latters' right to enter into marriages—and great! for them, too. Yes, neither Christianity nor Islam is originally native to Africa. Before these religions were exported to Africa, were there not marriages? Marriage is indeed a social contract and construct: it is not a religious thing, although couples and society are free to invite religion into it, which they readily, proudly and happily do. Yet, before there was religion, marriages were already happening.

It is awfully painful to know that it cannot be explained to Obende's understanding what Creation and Createdness which we all observe, witness and experience daily tell us about the Creator. What human beings and their societies understand and finally decide for their culture of the day—what is acceptable to them—could not and has never limited nor influenced the Nature of the Creator to express unfathomable variation and variety in the Creation and Createdness. It becomes laughable, then, that a human being should arrogate to himself to judge on behalf of the Creator or in the name of God that which is un/acceptable to God: what is allowable or acceptable to him or his society, yes—maybe; but what is acceptable or unacceptable to God, never!—except in total ignorance. God did not seek the human beings' counsel and or society's approval when God made Man heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, sexual, asexual and other things in-between and even outside the range of divinely determined possibilities. It is a range and a scale that the human mind couldn't even begin to imagine. Yet he, man, is so certain of himself to speak to the Creator's preferences.

It is downright silly for Obende to claim that “[Nigeria as a right of sovereignty] should be able to make laws to curb “foreign” and “devilish” behaviors” [homosexuality], thereby to make draconian, uninformed primitive laws criminalizing Gay / LGBT and taking away the latters' civil and human rights. If in fact Nigeria is really interested in curbing foreign influence, then, Nigeria should outlaw Christianity and Islam right away; nothing is more foreign to Nigeria than these religions.

Obende ignorantly makes Homosexuality a crime; in the same way, he shows ignorance by insinuating that Homosexuality is a transplant from foreign lands; and does not originally exist and will not be accepted in Africa. And in his delusion, he thinks he speaks for Africa? Only stupid Africa, which no longer exists.

As far as homosexuality being, per Obende, “Immoral behavior”? Pity, he does not understand: what create and drive homosexuality are the same underlying natural forces and influences that also create and drive heterosexuality.

It is entirely ridiculous that Obende would (quote): “encourage… Nigerians (and the West) to accept the decision, and embrace it as a facet of African tradition… We are Africans, that's what makes us unique”.

It has to be stated that Obende and Nigeria have no right to criminalize homosexuality. That senseless and wicked law does not represent African tradition—which tradition, anyway? Perhaps some Nigerians will embrace his law, but most will not. The West will not; hopefully, they will also orchestrate the ostracism of Nigeria for this travesty. Putin and his Soviet Russia may go along with Nigeria today; but tomorrow is a different matter. Yes, we are Africans, but what makes us unique cannot be this latter-day wholesale stripping and deprivation of the human and civil rights of fellow human beings. That's exactly what Africa is fighting against.

In the final analysis, Obende is wrong; he is way off, along with his colleagues. His law may be Nigeria's law, but Homosexuality is in fact writ into the Law of the Land of Humanity. He may criminalize and ban Homosexuality in Nigeria today, but Nature breeds and supports Homosexuality, as well as Heterosexuality, in all of Nature, for all times. His religions and culture may abhor Homosexuality, but God created us all, Homosexuals, Heterosexuals—any-sexuals. And loves us all, might I add. Obende has his own sense of value, but he cannot tell God who, what or how to value; he cannot claim to speak for God and God's Creation.

In the year 2014, it should be a Crime against humanity for any person, country, system or principality to make laws denying any segment of the society of its civil rights and human rights and criminalizing the existence of its members for being Gay / LGBT. It is the most un-Godly act to do so in the name of God.

Oguchi Nkwocha, MD
Citizen, Human Race.
Resident, Land of Nature
[email protected]

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Articles by Oguchi Nkwocha, MD