Temmie Ovwasa popularly known as YBNL Princess, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and artist. She signed a record deal with YBNL Nation in August 2015 however she left the label in 2020 following a disagreement with the label owner Olamide.
Since being outed by a Nigerian tabloid some years back, Ovwasa has embraced her sexuality at full throttle, living her truth while wielding her craft unapologetically, to shed light on the intricacies of being a queer woman in Nigeria.
It is this stance that has made her one of the lead voices and flag bearer of the LGBTQ community as far as the Nigerian Entertainment Space is concerned.
On the global stage, the support, awareness and public acceptance for the Rainbow flag has grown tremendously in the last decade, for Nigeria as a state however the direct reverse is the case.
On 7 January 2014, Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck signed his assent to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 (SSMPA).
The SSMPA provides that:
Only marriages contracted between a man and a woman shall be recognized as valid in Nigeria. A marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex is invalid and illegal and shall not be recognized as entitled to benefits of a valid marriage – Section 1 sub 1 of the SSMPA.
While marriage contracts or civil unions entered into between persons of the same sex by virtue of a certificate issued by a foreign country is void in Nigeria, and any benefits accruing there from by virtue of the certificate shall not be enforced by any court of law in Nigeria – Section 1 sub 2 of the SSMPA.
The SSMPA also criminalizes a number of activities associated with homosexual identity. This includes prohibitions on: registering gay clubs, societies and organizations, and their sustenance, processions and meetings. Even mere support for same is prohibited.
Public showing of same sex amorous relationships “directly or indirectly” by virtue of Section 5 Sub 2 of the SSMPA is punishable with 10 years imprisonment.
Also, administering, witnessing, abetting or aiding the solemnization of a same sex marriage or civil union under Section 5 Sub 3 of the SSMPA is punishable by 10 years imprisonment.
In reality, the definition of the types of relationships regulated by the SSMPA is a lot broader than mere marriage itself and could capture any type of committed, caring and emotional partnership of same sex people who happen to be living together.
Anything amounting to mere indirect public demonstration of a ‘same sex amorous relationship’ is now criminalized. So that it could conceivably encompass any form of touching between persons of the same sex including holding hands or hugging.
LEGALLY SPEAKING
The current reality in Nigeria is that celebrities like Temmie and common folks alike who are part of the LGBTQ community are literally one step away from prosecution and possible imprisonment.
While it is true that the advent of this law has not been accompanied with a lot of enforcement, regardless this is the position of the law currently and definitely worthy of note.