OP-ED – One of the most talked about “evil of Obama” from the perspective of many Nigerians is that he “signed same-sex” bill into law and almost foisted same on Nigeria and other African nations, whereas the “Christian” president, Donald Trump “is against the act.” This editorial seeks to briefly explain the position of things without bias.
Firstly, in the US, states had the prerogative of marriage policies. Incidentally, while some states allowed gay marriage, others nullified such marriages when same-sex couples crossed over to their states. However, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court (not President Obama) struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state same-sex marriage licenses in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.
However, Obama actively moved to stop countries from criminalizing same-sex marriages. This was understood as imposition of same-sex marriages on countries.
With the election of Donald Trump, many Nigerians have bought into his self-styled Christian president, the one who “brought Christ to the White house,” and opposed gay marriage. This position does not reflect President Trump’s actual rhetoric position on the LGBTs. For instance, Trump, in his address to world leaders in September 2019 said: “We stand in solidarity with LGBTQ people who live in countries that punish jail or execute individuals based upon sexual orientation.” He also stood against criminalizing of same-sex marriages. Many believe, however, that he is pandering to politics and has not lived his words. For instance, prior to his public support for the LGBT, Trump’s administration had banned transgender people from the U.S. military, cut funding for HIV and AIDS research and supported the right of medical providers and adoption agencies to deny services to LGBT+ people.
“Donald Trump’s words at the U.N. do not just ring hollow - they are an unadulterated lie. His administration has done nothing to protect LGBTQ people at home or abroad,” said Zeke Stokes of the U.S. gay rights group GLAAD in an email.
Prior to his UN speech, in a series of tweets, Trump celebrated the LGBT Pride Month.
As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2019
....on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2019
Many who have become armed with this information have seen their Nigerian counterparts are ignorant of the facts as they “sheepishly” tow the path of misinformation.
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