Cross River State House of Assembly, has described as crucial, the bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriages and civil unions in the state.
The lawmakers stated this when it passed for second reading “A Law to Prohibit Contract of Marriage, or Civil Union Entered into Between Persons of Same Sex, Solemnization of Same, Whether Cultural, or in Accordance with Any Status in Existence, and for Matters Connected Therewith.”
They insisted that the bill was necessary to regulate the recognition and solemnization of these unions in the state.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Boki 11 State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, received overwhelming support from the legislators during the debate.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the sponsor and members for what he described as due diligence during the debate.
Ayambem lamented that sexual pervasion including homosexuality, lesbianism and beastiality were becoming rampart in the state.
The speaker condemned the act and reiterated that the house would ensure stiff penalty against offenders to discourage others from indulging in it.
The sponsor of the bill who is also the Chief Whip of the 10th Assembly, led the debate. He opened with biblical assertions, citing Genesis 1:27, “In the beginning God created them male and female.”
He further referenced Genesis 2:24 where God said a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one not the other way round.
Bisong stated: “When this happens in marriage, it destroys the architecture of life circle.
“The story of Sodom and Gomorrah was evident proof, it as an abomination before God Almighty as recorded in Leviticus 20:13.”
The proposed law provides that, notwithstanding any culture, tradition or law, contract of marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex will be prohibited in the state, and shall not be recognized or entitled to benefits of a valid marriage.
The bill further states that certificates obtained in such marriages contracted outside the state will be not be recognised in the state, adding that, any benefit derived from such marriages, whether certificated or not, shall not be enforced by any court in the State.
Citing legislative authority, Bisong noted that “Section 4, Sub-section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives the State House of Assembly powers to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the State.
“Therefore, the bill states that any contract of marriage or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex shall not be solemnized in a church, court, mosque, traditional shrine or any other place of worship in the state.”
Members reacted strongly in support of the bill, totally condemning the act which they described as, “wicked and a reversal from the original course of creation”.
The Lawmakers further described same sexual unions as, “a medical challenge, a disease that affects the sense organs and a brain disorder”, emphasising that its goal is to attack and distort the human population.
