The Nigerian House of Representatives is debating a bill that would outlaw cross-dressing.
Muda Umar, a lawmaker, sponsored the measure, which passed first reading on Tuesday. Despite the fact that the bill’s goals would not be considered until the second reading, a correspondent of the Punch was able to secure a copy of the proposed bill.
It reads:
‘A Bill for an Act to Amend Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 to Prohibit Cross Dressing; and for Related Matters,’ according to the bill. The bill proposes to add a new Sub-clause 3 to Section 4 of the Act, which says, “(1) Cross-dressing, whether done publicly, is prohibited.”
“(2) A person is deemed to have committed the offence publicly if it is published or displayed publicly, even if it was committed privately or in a location that would normally be described as private.”
“Provided, however, that cross dressing in the course of a stage play or in any bona fide public entertainment shall not be subject to this section of this Act.”
Read also: https://www.herald.ng/we-must-not-allow-divisive-sentiments-put-us-asunder-masari/
The bill also proposes to add a new Sub-clause 4 to Section 5 of the Act, which states, “A person engaged in cross dressing is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for six (6) months or a fine of N500,000.”
See how Nigerians are reacting to the news on Twitter:
Everyone knows the terrorists that attacked the Kaduna train were crossdressing. Or the rising inflation rate is caused by crossdressers. https://t.co/mJMt3dG4zf
— ndụka. (@NdukaEbubeDike) April 6, 2022
Get your comparisons right. What you mentioned are social problems and crossdressing has never and will never be one.
Crossdressing is anti-human what?! If you read, you will know the acts of crossdressers are not alien and they NEVER go against the essence of humanity.
— Sid_ (@Sidney_Chi) April 6, 2022
Bobrisky, colleagues risk jail-time for crossdressing https://t.co/z5Fbp1SoBc
— MyNigeria.com (@TheMyNigeria) April 6, 2022
Crossdressing bill willl only target three people out of 200 million Nigerians and they are denrele, bobirsky and James brown. Early child marriage bill, bill to bring more investors are unattended. Woe unto lawmakers @Gidi_Traffic
— Vincent Codeworks (@vincentwap) April 6, 2022
As rep don ban crossdressing….Wetin aunty @bobrisky wan dey wear bayii?
— Jumoke37 (@JumokeRaji2) April 6, 2022