Homophobic bullying in Nigerian schools: The experiences of LGBT university students

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of research on homophobic bullying in Nigerian schools. Using data from 14 in-depth interviews and public media sources that were analyzed thematically, this formative research examined homophobic bullying using Nigerian universities as a case study to bring attention to the need for policies and interventions to make schools safe for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students despite the criminalization of homosexual acts. The findings reveal the severity of homophobic bullying in Nigerian schools fueled by several factors, coupled with nonexistent protective educational policies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. The implementation of culturally sensitive antibullying programs is needed to make schools safe for Nigerian lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.

KEYWORDS:

• Bullying
• heterosexism; LGBT students; safe schools
• homophobia
• discrimination

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the gay students of O.A.U, Ile-Ife for sharing their experiences. I thank Dreilinden foundation in partnership with the Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University, Netherlands for supporting me with capacity building on LGBT rights issues. I thank GLSEN and UNESCO for supporting me to present an earlier version of these findings at the 15th Comparative Education World Congress, Argentina in June, 2013. I thank Reverend Jide Macaulay for educating gay University students in Ile-Ife on how to reconcile their sexuality and faith and for providing copies of two LGBT books which I gave the interviewees. Thanks to Dr. Kunle Oginni for his voluntary psychiatry work with gay University students of O.A.U, Ile-Ife. Special thanks are due to Bisi Alimi, Funmi Iyanda and Palm Avenue Films.

Notes

1. “How I Became a Homosexual. Confessions of a 26-Year-Old Student.” Interview with Dapo Adaralegbe, City People, 14.

2. “Meet Mr. Dapo Adaralegbe, now Ms. Stephanie Adaralegbe.” Linda Ikeji's blog. Retrieved from http://lindaikeji.blogspot.nl/2012/02/meet-mr-dapo-adaralegbe-now-ms-stepanie.html

3. “Bisi Alimi on New Dawn.” Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com

4. “Homosexuality and the Nigerian Cultural Heritage (Yoruba).” Retrieved from :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXA3WmdPC88&list=TLqplZLXhFW1JPtxxg5nRoIgSWujwXwzYr

5. “Africa Says No for Homosexuality.” Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG2jAV2RLRI

6. SAGBA. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZwO3RwBnYg

7. “Final-year student at Covenant University expelled on grounds of lesbianism.” Retrieved from http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/headline/168924-final-year-student-at-covenant-university-ogun-state-expelled-on-grounds-of-lesbianism.html

8. (Update) “The UNIBEN ladies were not raped.” Retrieved from http://date360.net/profiles/blogs/update-the-uniben-ladies-were-not-raped-full-details-download-lin

9. “The incidence of hate crimes against the LGBT community.” Retrieved from http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/20/okechukwu-effoduh-the-incidence-hate-crimes-lgbt-community-a-tale-systemic-idiocy/

10. “Afro Pop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange (Seeking Asylum Bisi).” Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a69Vy6jjbpY

11. House of Rainbow is an inclusive religious community which focuses on helping LGBT persons reconcile their sexuality and religious beliefs. In Nigeria, House of Rainbow provides different services for LGBT persons such as human rights education, counseling, safe shelter at-risk LGBT persons, and skill training programs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kehinde Okanlawon

Note on contributor

Kehinde Okanlawon, MA, MPH, is a sexual health and rights educator, activist, and researcher in Nigeria. He works with the House of Rainbow, an LGBT-Rights Organization, as the Project Coordinator on Human Rights Education and Counselling for LGBT persons in Nigeria.