Alternative Lifestyles Foundation of Nigeria (ALFON): Nigerians Organize and Vocalize

Under the fear of imprisonment and legal persecution, gays and lesbians in Nigeria have been prevented from seeking equality. With the installation of a civilian government this past spring, gay and lesbian activists have formed ALFON to push for recognition and equality for gays and lesbians. ALFON's mission is to organize gays and lesbians into a formidable pressure group; to engage in activities that would enhance, promote, protect, advance the interest and integrity of its members; to expand membership to include the continent of Africa; and to break the social taboo associated with being gay or lesbian.

One of ALFON's founders and also a University of Texas at Arlington graduate, Kene Uz Korie returned to the United States to study gay and lesbian organizations. While he is here he will be meeting with community leaders and studying federal and state laws that pertain to the treatment of gays. During the month of June he traveled to New York City to meet with several larger organizations to learn their missions and how they operate.

Korie believes that the first step in the fight for recognition and equality of gays and lesbians is to take a public stand in Nigeria. According to Korie, there is a sizable gay and lesbian population in Nigeria. Gays and lesbians have already been waiting for the transition from military dictatorship to civilian rule that will enable them to speak out and voice their opinions. He has met with hundreds of others who all agree that this process will take time.

Six years ago, Gen. Sani Abacha annulled the results of the presidential elections, seized power and jailed the winner, Moshood Abiola. Abacha controlled Nigeria with military might. According to Korie, "A society of the strictest taboos in the world, Nigeria has represented a living hell for all those seeking to express an alternative persuasion. Life is not easy living under a military dictator, needless to talk of open campaign for gay/lesbian rights. Before now, we are afraid to speak out, marginalized, targets of hate crimes, discriminated against, ridiculed, and treated unfairly in the dispensation of justice and economic resources and much more."

Both Abacha and his anticipated successor, Abiola, died in June and July of 1998. Abacha's successor, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, announced presidential elections and a return to civilian rule by May 1999.

Even though May 1999 officially marked the return to a democratic government, Korie and fellow activists remain realistic about their aspirations. Homosexuality is still one of Nigeria's biggest taboos, Korie noted. "We don't expect to have a victory over night, but we intend to talk about it, write about it," he said. "And as time goes on we plan to invite public speakers from (America) to come and address us and Nigeria."

During the first week of June, program coordinator Brent Chuks held ALFON's first public press conference to announceits goals. ALFON's agenda includes setting up a central office in Lagos with a legal resource unit. It also plans to establish an AIDS prevention, awareness and management facility. ALFON plans to establish and publish a special gay/lesbian biweekly magazine. The establishment and operation of Africa's first gay/lesbian radio station is also included in the agenda.

In his meetings with various gay American organizations Korie is also learning how they operate, while scouting for financial donations and contributions that could assist the Foundation as it begins. To "fully take-off" the Foundation is seeking a minimum of $500,000 according to the group's chairman.

The Foundation doesn't expect an overnight victory, but as Korie noted the group is taking the first step to organize. Eventually they would like to be, according to Korie, the umbrella group for the whole of the African continent.