Rights under Arrest: Impacts of the SSMPA on LGBTQI+ Individuals and Organizations(A Decade’s Reflection)
In collaboration with the Centre for Health Education and Vulnerable Support (CHEVS), The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) embarked on a critical research project titled “Rights under Arrest: Impacts of the SSMPA on LGBTQI+ Individuals and Organizations (A Decade’s Reflection).” This project sought to evaluate the profound effects of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) enacted in 2014 on the socio-economic status, psychological well-being, and institutional capacities of LGBTQI+ individuals and organizations in Nigeria. A decade after its implementation, the SSMPA continues to shape the lives of many, often in deeply detrimental ways, and this study provides much-needed insights into these impacts. This research was conducted with the invaluable support of the Centre for Health Education and Vulnerable Support (CHEVS) and was jointly funded by TIERs and CHEVS.
Objective- To explore the socio-economic status and organisational efforts of LGBTQI+ individuals in Nigeria before the SSMPA, providing a comparative analysis to understand the shifts in livelihoods and community organising as a result of the legislation.
- To assess the impact of the SSMPA on the socio-economic and psychological well-being of LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly focusing on experiences of violence, discrimination, and the barriers to accessing essential services and opportunities.
- To analyze the SSMPA’s effects on LGBTQI+ organisations, particularly their ability to function, secure funding, and advocate for LGBTQI+ rights within the restrictive legal framework.
- To evaluate the broader economic repercussions of the SSMPA on LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly in terms of criminalization and its effects on livelihoods.