Acceptance
of gay/lesbian union is said to be one of the topics the U.S.
government will place before President Muhammadu Buhari when he meets
with President Barack Obama in the White House on Monday, July 20.
As President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to pay a visit to his United
States counterpart, Barack Obama, in the White House on Monday, July
20, the US government is expected to make another case asking the
Nigerian government to repeal its law against same-sex unions.
US recently legalised gay marriage, a development, which sparked off mixed reactions across the globe.
The U.S Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda
Thomas-Greenfield, who made this known on Monday, July 13, stated that
the U.S would continue to pressure Nigeria until it legalises same-sex
marriage.
According to the Nigerian Pilot, Thomas-Greenfield revealed
America’s plans on Tuesday, July 14, during a live-web chat with
journalists in Washington DC.
Thomas-Greenfield, who said the US had adopted the protection of
the rights of same-sex people as part of its foreign policies, vowed
that Washington would continue to mount and sustain pressure on Nigeria
and other countries to reverse their laws against lesbians, gays,
bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) community.
She said: “As a government, it is one of the highest priorities
and strongest values that discrimination against anyone based on their
sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong. We believe human rights
should be available to everybody.
“As a policy, we will continue to press the government of
Nigeria, as well as other governments which have provided legislation
that discriminate against the LGBT community.”