An Untold Story

A typical Nigerian wants everyone caught in the act of gayness killed or manhandled or at least humiliated. I've seen them parade such victims nude. Many have been blackmailed, some murdered or executed italicjungle italicjustice style. I once saw a video where two young men caught in the act were forced to carry on the romp on camera amidst jeers and manhandling.

I don't mind telling you I am Nigerian and proud but in this context not a typical Nigerian. I've been what activists have derogatorily termed boldhomophobic and I still fall in that category. But something happened that weakened my stance.

As a journalist in training very green around the ears I hopped into investigative journalism posing on social media as a homosexual. It was a near disaster but I soon learned their lingo and got to work.

I fully expected them to be subhumans with a head full of everything vile and demeaning. But I was stunned. Every person I linked with had a touching story. But the one that stirred me the most is the story of Cee. That's what I'll call him.

He was the cutest chap I ever saw. 19 years of age at the time. He found himself attracted to men as a child but only began to tell his mum about it at the age of 12 or 13. He like me was from a godly home. His parents reacted badly. They saw where it was heading. Cee was their only child and he cannot be gay! He was subjected through an almost violent deliverance session in church

It didnt work. Cee had sex with an older boy at age 15. He really felt guilty afterwards. So he confided in his mum. She was madly angry. She was a deaconess in church and felt her son had betrayed her. Cee was grounded and verbally abused. He became strangely estranged to the parents that meant all the world to him. Once in their presence the inevitable silence that ensued was deafening!

The day came when Cee had to confront his parents. He admitted he had a problem but he whined that they were doing nothing to help him. His mother finally softened up. Cee was taken to a psychologist who doubled as a Christian Minister. The man asked invasive and pervasive questions. Cee was already 17 at the time but he had a feeling the counseling sessions would yield no good.

Predictably, Cee and his counsellor had sex. He was a male, a pastor. So Cee refused going for any more counseling. All to his mother's frustration. When he told her what happened, she confronted the pastor. Surprisingly, he didn't deny but insisted the boy seduced him. So Ma was back to calling Cee demon possessed.

That was when Cee stumbled upon a Facebook page where he met many youths his age that had same struggles.

After I talked to Cee, I knew I couldn't do an exposé on him nor anyone else. It felt wrong. Furthermore under my disguise I saw Cee's relations with his parents deteriorate. He became very suicidal. Then suddenly w8thout warning he deactivated his Facebook account. His mobile went dead. Switched off! Till this very day I have been unable to reestablish contact with him. Did he commit suicide? Did his parents find out about his Facebook interactions. ????? I never was able to know for sure. It's now about 7 years.

So I am not the typical Nigerian but I still maintain my stance. But kill a gay or anyone for that matter! Count me out...