Nigerians in America are grappling with multi-faceted issues. Chief among these are racism and homosexuality. They say that, apart from being taunted almost on a daily basis for being Nigerian, a “country ravaged by corruption, poverty and insurgency”, the issue of racism is something they face day to day. Now they have a behemoth of a problem to deal with: legalisation of gay marriages in all states of America.
Tricia* travelled to America in 2010. After completing her National Diploma (ND), she briefly worked in a financial institution in Nigeria before getting an immigration visa and left the country.
Armed with her resolve and an ND certificate, Tricia is now working with Walmart.
“On a daily basis, women approach me. The overtures can sometimes put you off. They assume if you are good-looking, you are either bisexual or gay outright,” Tricia said in a facebook chat.
Asked about what the Nigerian community in America says about the Supreme Court ruling, Tricia said the views are as diverse as the people. “While some shudder at the ruling of the Supreme Court, others just turn a deaf ear to it entirely,” she said. “So it is a question of both speaking out and risking the wrath of the gay community or being silent about the whole issue, and some people have chosen the later.”
Bob* is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and has been living in the United States (U.S.) since 2010. Apart from coming from a strict Catholic background and a culture that promotes strong family ties, Bob never thought he would not hold a regular job because of his stance against homosexuality.
“Everywhere you go, there is an air of foreboding. Majority of Nigerians have chosen to keep quiet, not so much because of the fear of rejection, but because of the fear of deportation, Bob said. “The gay community in the area where I live is quite vocal. They have a website and hold regular meetings. Sometimes, they go all out to look for members. The whole set-up is like a cult. They even go as far as incentivising people just to get them into their fold.”
Have they ever approached him? “Yes on countless occasions. They even tell you it doesn’t matter if you are not gay. Just join their club and avail yourself of the incentives.”
Does he know any Nigerian in the club? Bob said he knows about three Nigerians in the club but can’t say if they are gay or not, as some of them have girlfriends.
“I made an attempt to ask one of them who I worked with, but he gave me a vague answer. But that is not sufficient to suggest he might be gay,” Bob said.
Bob thinks the reason some Nigerians are quiet is the fear of returning to Nigeria to face the uncertainties in the country. “The opportunities here are quite enormous, compared to what obtains in Nigeria. I come from Ebonyi State and belong to Catholic Charismatic Movement. I know what the Bible says about homosexuality. It is wrong, but I wouldn’t be saying this to everybody in America for obvious reasons.”
Anne* was a journalist back in Nigeria. She has an American fiance. Persuaded to say what she thinks about the Supreme Court’s ruling and the impact it has had on her and other Nigerians in America, she could only manage a tacit response.
“My brother, just leave these people with their lives o!” She said. “I have issues I am grappling with, and the least of them is whatever the court has said.”
Prodded to talk on the ‘other issues’, she said being black is like a crime; and not just that, but coming from Nigeria makes you almost a criminal.
“The moment you mention you are from Nigeria, people adjust on their seats. Once, my credit card was rejected because of my nationality, not because it is not valid; the lady just did not want to swipe it. When I insisted, she said that some Nigerians came in the other day with fake and cloned credit cards.”
Anne said even some Blacks, upon hearing that you are Nigerian, will be cautious of you.
• The names in this story have been changed to protect the respondents’ identity.