#NIGERIAJAILSGAYS
By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2014.
Today we heard in breaking news that Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has surreptitiously signed the so-called Same Sex Prohibition Bill into law. Reports are that Jonathan actually signed the Bill, better known as the “Jail-All-The-Gays” Bill, quietly last week. News of it’s signing has only now been leaked.
The LGBT community around the World will not tolerate laws that criminalize sexuality and will vehemently protest countries which institute such laws, which serve as government sanctioned mechanisms for persecution.
It seems that the Nigerian President was afraid of a huge international outcry prior to signing the Bill, yet how he could think it would never make the news defies logic. Now that the story is out, it is absolutely incumbent upon us here in the United States and around the world to vehemently protest Nigeria and this horrific law, including a call for boycotts and sanctions and secondly to stand by our LGBTI family in Nigeria by providing support for safe-housing and asylum in the West.
ALSO – Re Uganda: It is critical that we make a LOT of Noise NOW vs Nigeria so Museveni sees that the world will not be happy if he assents to the BILL.
Here are 10 imperative actions we must undertake as a world community:
1. Write polite letters to the President of Nigeria expressing your thoughts and explain what being gay really means – and send a copy of your letter to [email protected] for publication in this BLOG. (no more than 600 words).
2. Organize protests at Nigerian Consulates and Embassies.
3. Write to the Nigerian Ambassador/ consuls/ President in Nigeria/ in your country – here is an example: http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/index.php?page=contact-us
Dear Consul / Ambassador/ President
The World is shocked at the passage of Nigeria’s inhumane and horrific ‘Jail The Gays’ law that your President just signed into law.
It is important to note that the laws you have passed against LGBT Nigerians and visitors are based on lies and myths about homosexuality, are unconstitutional and contrary to the International Declaration of Human Rights.
You cannot criminalize a human being’s sexuality.
We will be protesting your embassies and calling for widespread boycotts against Nigerian tourism, exports, imports and all business.
If Nigeria justifies this bad law proclaiming its sovereignty, then it will choose isolation. However Nigeria cannot participate in a global context if it cannot respect one of the most basic fundamental human rights and that is the right to love any person of one’s choice, whether that person is of the same or a different gender.
Anti-Homosexuality laws condemn love that is naturally felt to the people you seek to criminalize. The issues you purport to base your law upon are separate issues and ought to fall under the laws already in place which protect all people from sex without consent.
Melanie Nathan.
LGBT Protection Coalitions, Worldwide.Note: Nigeria maintains an embassy in the United States at 3519 International Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, (tel: 202-986-8400). AND
http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/index.php?page=contact-usAND
http://www.statehouse.gov.ng/index.php/the-administration/presidency/president-goodluck-jonathan
4. Start to Boycott all things Nigerian – to include travel, tourism, industry, exports and imports. Call companies that conduct safaris in Nigeria expressing the danger and your anger (politely) at the support of Nigeria.
5. Call upon your employer to speak out against the Jail the Gays Bill, especially if you work for a large Hotel, Airline, Bank etc. Chain that operates in or does business with Nigeria.
6. Write a letter to President Obama, or copy him on the Letter you sent in Number 1., above. Also Copy and call your member of Congress/ Senators or your political representatives and ask if they are aware of this and what they plan to do about it? Suggest that they take note of the Asylum laws for LGBT people and that they participate in reform that will be advocated for by PCI Justice (www.pcijustice.com)
7. Call your local or national LGBT organizations (the ones that send you requests for donations) and ask them what they are doing to help protest this Bill? Ask if they would be willing to join a coalition of International LGBT groups to ensure a massive outcry and if so to write to [email protected]
8. STATE DEPARTMENT: Call the U.S. State Department and ask them if they are willing to make special humanitarian considerations for Nigeria’s LGBT community? Ask them what Secretary Kerry is planning to do beyond mere words? Contact the U.S. Ambassador in Niger, James F. Entwistle, and ask what his Embassy is doing to help Nigerian gays get out of Nigeria? Tell the State Department and your member of Congress that we want Nigerian lawmakers banned from entering the U.S.A. Also I am sure that the State department will soon update their TRavel Advisory to a severe WARNING for LGBT people traveling to Nigeria.
Also note: Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield leads the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, the division in the Department focused on the development and management of U.S. policy concerning the continent.
FYI – Ambassador Samantha Power Urges Nigeria Civil Society to Remain Steadfast for Democracy The United States’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations and member of President Obama’s cabinet, Ambassador Samantha Power, visited Nigeria on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. She met with President Goodluck Jonathan and other government officials, as well as civil society leaders.
9. Call your Mayors office/ City Councils / Human Rights Commissions and ask for a Proclamation to Condemn the Nigerian law and request that all City dealings exclude business with Nigeria.
10. Join LGBT Protection Coalition, Worldwide, by sending your name and email address to [email protected] – you will be given updates about protests and actions;
INFORMATION ABOUT USA and NIGERIA:
U.S. Assistance to Nigeria
The United States seeks to help improve the economic stability, security, and well-being of Nigerians by strengthening democratic institutions, improving transparency and accountability, and professionalizing security forces. U.S. assistance also aims to reinforce local and national systems; build institutional capacity in the provision of health and education services; and support improvements in agricultural productivity, job expansion in the rural sector, and increased supplies of clean energy. A partnership among the U.S., the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and international organizations to focus on improved governance, non-oil economic growth, and human development ensures closer coordination of donor activities, more effective support, and greater impact for ordinary citizens.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Nigeria is the United States’ largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to the high level of petroleum imports from Nigeria. The United States is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, with U.S. foreign direct investment concentrated largely in the petroleum/mining and wholesale trade sectors. U.S. imports from Nigeria include oil, cocoa, rubber, returns, and food waste. U.S. exports to Nigeria include wheat, vehicles, machinery, oil, and plastic. Nigeria is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The United States and Nigeria have signed a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement.
Nigeria’s Membership in International Organizations
Nigeria and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Nigeria also is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador-designate to Nigeria is John Entwistle; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Nigeria maintains an embassy in the United States at 3519 International Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, (tel: 202-986-8400).
STAY TUNED for actions…
Let us hope that help will be provided to those in Nigeria who wish to defend their freedoms and who want to participate in cases that will help overturn this law which is clearly unconstitutional. Here are excerpts of Nigeria’s Constitution that the law will clearly infringe:
42. (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.
(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by reason only that the law imposes restrictions with respect to the appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces or to an office in the service of a body, corporate established directly by any law in force in Nigeria.
37. The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.
38. (1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
(2) No person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if such instruction ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own, or religion not approved by his parent or guardian.
(3) No religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination in any place of education maintained wholly by that community or denomination.
(4) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person to form, take part in the activity or be a member of a secret society.
39. (1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions:
Provided that no person, other than the Government of the Federation or of a State or any other person or body authorised by the President on the fulfilment of conditions laid down by an Act of the National Assembly, shall own, establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting station for, any purpose whatsoever.
(3) Nothing in this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society –
(a) for the purpose of preventing the disclosure. of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of courts or regulating telephony, wireless broadcasting, television or the exhibition of cinematograph films; or
Shock Amongst Gays in Nigeria as President signs Jail-The-Gays law
A person who … indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationship … is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment...
By Cathy Kristofferson, January 13, 2014
David and Goodluck!
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has surreptitiously signed the so-called Same Sex Prohibition Bill into law. Reports are that Jonathan actually signed the Bill, better known as the “Jail-All-The-Gays” Bill, quietly last week. News of it’s signing has only now been leaked. READ MORE
The 10 Worst Lies Spread in Uganda about Gays
by Melanie Nathan on December 23, 2013
by Anti-Gay Evangelical Christians and those falling for their hate, leading to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and its current passage through the Ugandan Parliament By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2013. The 10 Worst Lies Spread about Gays* Gays are pedophiles Gays recruit children – “they are coming for your kids” It is possible to make someone https://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/12/23/the-10-worst-lies-spread-in-uganda-about-gays/
Great suggestions!! Reblog!!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Another country ….. “Jail All the Gays” Bill …. Nigeria!
What to do???
Just leave Nigeria alone and mind the happenings in the US
we will Boycott you until you release gay people and treat them with the humanity that Jesus and Nelson Mandela would have done. Grow Up Nigeria. These people are harmless. Mandela gave equality to South African gays and you make them criminals because you fear what? What can 2 people loving each other hurt you. It is not an American thing it is a HUMAN thing . Its like saying you have different blood running in your veins to Americans. Human sexuality is diverse and you should educate yourself about it. If you are going to take on the WESTERN MISSIONARIES Bible or the SHariah Law, then stop talking to me about African culture!
Why would you not rather leave gay Nigerians alone?
Iam an LGBTI activist in nigeRia and this bill is a problem now, my family is against me totally, now iam in hiding, and I have received threats from people and family members on being killed, please can u help me?
Yes send me an email I have many people asking for help. We will try.
I am very sorry to hear about the devastating situation that is happening now against the LGBT community in Nigeria. As difficult as it may be, I strongly recommend that you seriously consider coming to the USA as a political refugee. I suggest you go to the American embassy or consulate in Nigeria, and explain that you are requesting political asylum in the United States because of the new anti-gay law. I wish you the best of success.
Douglas, we have to be very careful with the advice we give to potential asylum seekers. What you are suggesting could cause more harm than good in these cases. It could cause unwanted exposure in a country where being LGBT is criminal. I was reluctant to put up your comment because it is actually could be counter productive for Asylum seekers to show up at a US embassy asking for asylum. Unless you know something I do not and unless the USA changes how it works. First of all it is extremely dangerous for LGBT people to stand outside an embassy in a line where it is unlikely that they will allow non US people to even enter the portion of the Embassy where asylum could feasibly be asked for. So an LGBT person could be set up for unwarranted exposure. It is VERY rare that a foreign asylum seeker gets asylum while not on US soil. Getting ANY Visa to come to USA to ask for asylum is near impossible. We are starting t advocate for SPECIAL visas, but this is far off and near impossible. each case is unique, but trust of local people is a huge issue and very dangerous. I DO NOT recommend what you suggest at this point.
LGBT people should consider Sweden – Netherlands – The best way is to get a travel VISA and airticket, land in the foreign country and ask for asylum there. Most cannot afford to do so. Hence the quandary we find LGBT people in. Also in the USA we tend to detain asylum seekers in horrible detention centers that can be worse than you imagine. We have an article here on OBLOGDEE that addresses this issue.
PLEASE people unless you are willing to take on cases yourselves as attornsy do not give willy nilly advice on the internet to asylum seekers it could do more harm than good> The best thing you can do is refer LGBT people who contact you to organizations who are trying to help or to qualified immigration attorneys.
Well… Ur ideas are quite good, though only good to the ears.
Note: boycoting* or attempt to boycott nigerian business may have a dangerous backlash on american investors, in the sense that any thing nigerian here is probably imported by our importers, and nigeria boost of swaps of u.s companies which may face imminent nationalization if the pressure on them gets high!
Nigerians maybe religious bt belive me, they are also dangerous, the wil spare nothing at attacking western national either on diplomatic mission or business trips.. Nigeria may be an african nation bt right now i think the hold the cards against us
This is where it is heading. Nigerians will be blacklisted from getting Visas. We will only give Visas to those who need our help. We do not want to do business with people who persecute people just because of who they love. This is going to be very serious. American investors will have to do what they did with SOUTH AFRICA during Apartheid. We will boycott anyone who does business with Nigeria until this law changes.
Colonialism ended long ago. Nigerians reject homosexuality, what is wrong with that? Nigeria export millions barrels of oil daily, china and others are begging for supply. so they do not rely on usa to survive. you cannot force america culture on africa. African culture allows polygamy,but it is criminalize in US. why are they not putting pressure on usa to change that laws. Obama and his cabinet are speaking for their self and LGBT, not necessarily for the entire country
The right to one’s sexuality is a basic human right. it is like the right to having your left arm. It is not a cultural issue. And so if Goodluck Jonathan ordered all left arms chopped off – should the world sit back and not react because a particular culture says they dont believe people should have left arms? What you dont understand is what human sexuality is. I would not deter your right to be straight and you should not deter my right to be gay – no matter where you live.
So you have gay people i Nigeria. They are the same as you. They are not criminals just because they are feeling an attraciton to the same-sex and they should not be defined by the ACT of se, but rather by WHO they love. In the same way that straight people are not defined by the ACT f sex
So if you do not CARE enough or UNDERSTAND enough about what homosexuality really is, then it is our job in the rest of the world to help advocate for the humane and fair treatment of your gay people.
Hitler did not believe Jews should exists and so he wipted out 6 million.
How many gays are you going to jail in Nigeria?
Why not give them an airplane ticket out – why Jail them?
And that said tell me this is not American – whu does Ban Ki Moon and the UN support human rights for Gay people. Are we in the same WORLD/ Why you making this about America. I too am African born -?
And what about Nelsone Mandela and Tutu and their stance on Gay equality – are they not African too?
But when you complain about a country colonizing you as Nigeria, do you in the same breath notice that you, a Nigerian homophobe, are also trying to colonize another Nigerian (non-homophobe) by your new law?
Americans will be blacklisted from getting nigeria visas too. what is special about coming to america? gone are those days, nigeria is far better than what you think back then. On this issue, western world cannot bully Nigeria the way they did to russia over olympics, it will be counter productive. Almost all west africa countries share same view with nigeria, they will boycott the USA and strengthen their diplomatic ties with Russia or china.Nigeria will not legalize illegality in the name of human right laws that was solely imposed by the west.
please yes!! I would rather safari in a country that accepts me – bye bye Nigeria = Oh and all the Nigerians running down to South Africa and trying to come to usa
America is the number 1 violator of human rights around the world and within it’s own borders.Why don’t you face your own problems?
I am a LGBT activist. I do not criminalize people for loving someone of the opposite sex, do not criminalize me for loving someone of the same sex. This is more than human rights – this is a right to love who you love and how dare Nigerian Government tell people who they can love in private.
Nigeria became the 78th country in the world to criminalize same sex marriage. In Russia, Saudi-Arabia, China e.t.c it’s an offence punishable by death. Why do you think amerca did not take a hard stand on these countries? It’s simply bcos these countries have called america’s bluff and belief me when I tell you that U.S.A needa Nigeria more than Nigeria needs U.S.A. We careless about your ‘boycort’. Being gay is not ‘natural’ as the LGTB community claim, it’s a pshycological problem that is curable. God did not create ADAM and STEVE but ADAM and EVE! I just wished your father was gay, maybe this convo won’t be neccesary.
!. because your law is more than about marriage – read it
2. because you just passed it
3. Yes we do other countries too
4. Thats no excuse
This is one of those pedestrian arguments being floated around. So you Mr. Catcha, are deciding to face the problems of your fellow Nigerians who just happen to be gay, because you do not have your own problems to face?
Does violation of rights in America, justify violation of rights in Nigeria?
no link for the contact for the president in point 1 Melanie?
Your excellency,
My name is Lloyd Copper, I am a resident of Australia. I am writing because I am horrified that you could choose to pass the draconian legisation against the GLBT community. This bill has no place in a modern country. That you have chosen to bow down to religious fundamentalists and other bigots speaks volumes about your character. Why have you not put as much effort into the corruption your own government is no stranger to? The poor sanitation, the poverty, the lack of electricity…real issues that affect Nigerians, not a segment of your population already demonised and misunderstood. And today I read that dozens of Nigerian men were arrested in the North under allegations of torture. REALLY? Is this what you want to stand for in 2014 as a country of the world? You witchhunt people for being different? How do you sleep at night?
Lloyd Cooper
Melanie Nathan>>>>You are not promoting any human right, what you are promoting is immorality, so, you are immorality activist…The so called human right activists promoting immorality doesn’t have the morality (ability to different evil from good) to define what human right is, and impose it on people. We in Nigeria define what our human right is. We will happily send all Nigerian gays to any nation that loves gay. Please, you people should let Nigeria be, stop spreading your immoralities. Sooner than later you people may start promoting that it is human right to sex animals, human right for husbands and wives to be faithful to one another, human right for another man to sex your wife in your presence as long as your wife accepts….where will your immorality end. Once again, LET NIGERIA BE YOU IMMORALITY ACTIVISTS!!!!!!!!!!!! At least in this regard, Nigeria is right. Kudos to President Jonathan, and Long live the good people of Nigeria.
Whose morality? Why dont you have an Anti-Infidelity Bill? Or a dont eat shellfish Bill Like the Bible Says? I mean really. Try and understand sexuality – its like asking someone to chop off their left arm – asking them to change their sexuality? Who the hell wants to be gay when you are persecuted for it? You are born gay or straight? If yu are truly straight try and imagine being with a gay – its not possible right? So imagine if you are gay trying to imagine being with a straight person of the opposite sex – its also not possible. What is so hard to understand. What is immoral is Nigerians hurting their OWN people and jailing innocent people who have hurt NO one and who just want to love the person of their choice without government telling them what to do. Why dont you focus on the straight me who rape young girls. Count those numbers and see who is immoral.
“We in Nigeria define what our human right is”. Cant your really see the absurdity in such a statement?
Human rights are inherent and are universal. You cannot define them in Nigeria.
I suppose you manufacture humans in Nigeria (yes you do, through-the-roof heterosexual promiscuity, uncontrollably high fertility rates etc.) but do not assume too many powers.
Saying you define human rights in Nigeria are is like saying you define human forms in Nigeria.
I guess your parliament can write another law decreeing that all Nigerians should be born with an extra arm. Your people might need it since you are preferring to isolate your country from the international community.
One thing you should understand is that the world is very large, occupied by people of different blv system. Melanie you would agree with me that polygamy/bigamy is ILLEGAL in the US but HIGHLY EMBRACED in AFRICA and MIDDLE EAST. Are you now going to make it legal because SOME americans are/ want to be polygamists? Africans and The Middle easterners are not forcing it down your(americans) throats because we know you would not understand it..same way we want you to back off. Stop trying to judge OUR actions from YOUR point of view. One thing that annoys me so much is the arogance of the west! Why do you guys think you are always right? Bigamy is ILLEGAL in the states so is Same Sex Marriage here. You believe bn gay is natural but we believe it’s phsycological and can be corrected. Like I said earlier GOD created ADAM and EVE not ADAM and STEVE.
Polygamy does not jail innocent people for being who they are. If it did we would protest it in your country. No one is stopping you from protesting the things you do not agree with in other countries, especially if you feel that it hurts people. If your sovereign laws did not hurt your people -as does this unnecessary bigoted law, if you did not fail to take of and nurture and provide humanity to your OWN who are different and are in a minority – then we would not care about the law. This is a basic human right to allow someone their given sexuality. No one chooses to be gay. No one chooses who they are by nature attracted to. Its just THERE and you through your ignorance fuled by lies and myth about sexuality just do not understand. I have deep compassion for the ignorant. It is sad – but when your ignorance hurts others I must speak out. The Bible is misinterpreted and taken out of context. No where does it prohibit love. No where does it prohibit same-sex attraction. Only fool think it can be corrected and its been proved that it cant. Imagine me trying to make you gay if you are straight and then you will understand correction is a joke. Now grow up get educated and stop hurting your own people. AND if you really believe that Bible should govern your life, then its time for an anti-adultery Bill and time to stop using footballs made out pig skin! OH and then its time to let GOD be the judge…doesn’t it say that somewhere?
You are getting me wrong….I share ur opinion that bn gay is not CRIMIMAL and people shld nt go to jail for that, YES! If you go tnrough my previous comments and read CAREFULLY what i’m pointing out is 1. LGTB community should stop that ”bn gay is natural” poem , it’s not. As an LGTB activist (if u’re not gay) you would have had convos with gays and you would have realised that they have a story to tell for example; sm of them were molested at a tender age by an uncle, aunty, school teacher e.t.c seeking adventure, sm went to same sex boarding schools and began puberty in school…leading to several experiments for sexual pleasure with same sex e.t.c these are the things that have shaped these people and they believe it’s natural.. No it’s not natural it’s phsycological just like the case of a mentally challenged individual. I agree they shld nt be jailed but be helped phsycologically. Gays were nt born that way, they became that way.
you are wrong…YOU MADE this UP… I know many many gays including myself who have never been molested hurt or violated in any way. I am not attracted to the opposite sex only to the same sex. I have no problems that you describe and many of my gay and lesbian friends have also have none of the violence or bad experience you describe. So where do yu get your information? Did you suck it out of your thumb or did you listen to some ignorant preacher who does want to see gays in jail Please you know nothing about the experience of gays. I am super brilliant, successful, decent, have a great life. Do not compare me to mentally challenged whatever that may mean. ITS NOT about believing its natural as you so ignorantly declare…its about actually being ONLY attracted to the same sex and that is a very natural feeling for me, Just the same way as you feel your natural attraction to the opposite sex.
“One thing you should understand is that the world is very large, occupied by people of different blv system”
Another common self-contradiction from African “anti-gay” homophobes (of course I do sympathize because many of you have been misled).
Now you Mr. Fadipe Oluwasegun, why do you know that the world is very large and occupied by people of different “blv system” but you don’t know that that is called “diversity”?
And that diversity is what you are essentially trying to ban in Nigeria?
Why do you want diversity at the level of Nations, but you want purity and no diversity at the level of individuals (amongst Nigerians)?
You should notice that in many of their actions, these violent homophobes now in charge of public opinion in Africa, there is an inherent fear.
They know that their actions are wrong. Evidence: The Nigerian president signing his Jail-The-Gays law in hiding, and the Ugandan parliament passing their Bahati-law in Kangaroo fashion, secretly smuggling it into the order paper, and hurriedly passing it without quorum, like a pedestrian shi***ng on the roadside.
They are therefore on the run. We just need to make them run faster.
The hateful comments you see on social media, and the hateful sermons by the bishops and the pastors that we heard over Christmas, are still in vogue because it is still cool to persecute homosexuals, and “be straight” and “be not homosexual” in everyway possible.
I realize though, that among reasonable Africans, it is starting to look “not so cool” to be spewing ignorant hate against innocent people, people that you do not even know.
I think it is imperative to make it not so cool at all, to not just live in ignorance, but to be spewing that ignorance in a hateful way at others.
It will take time, but we need more committed activists like you Melanie.
It cannot be so difficult to win a struggle, where the opponents, though admittedly many, are very simple-minded people who can only quote the bible, and when in a fix, resort to emotional insults and popular (peasant) sentiment.