SEXUAL IDENTITIES: WHY YOU CAN NOT HAVE YOUR OWN PRONOUN

Sexual identity is a contemporary issue shaping various political, social and religious discuss around the world, particularly the global south. Since recorded human history, mankind had been known and identified by two major genders. That is, male and female (in the singular, he or she and him or her) which is often determined by the individual biological makeup at birth. Today, this definition has changed tremendously and a lot of people are now of the view that there are multiple or unidentifiable number of genders. Proponents of this view believe that, beside the two traditional genders, individuals can be identified with many other genders depending on how they feel about themselves. As a result, some identify as transgender, gender neutral, non-binary, agender, pangender, genderqueer, two-spirits, third gender, etc. Most people are familiar with the popular acronym LGBTQ+ which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus anyone who does not fit into the traditional classification and does not fit under other characterizations either. The trend accentuates the concept of sexual fluidity, which suggest that sexual orientations are fluid and subject to change across the individual lifespan. Sexual identity in the 21st century is a very sensitive issue; this is why many people have decided to avoid the subject all together. 

 Nigerian Perspective 

 This ideology thrives mostly in technologically advanced nations where sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or gender confirmation surgery (GCS) is easily accessible and nations with constitutional democracies where human rights are aggressively pursued without any form of restraint. Nigeria, like other African countries are not strangers in upholding the principles of human rights. However, some have been accused of serious human right violations. In any case, the rejection of LGBTQ ideology in many African nations, have been portrayed as human right violations by the West. Apparently, the West are either unaware or blatantly refuse to admit that the divergence in moral views with African nations is due to their peculiar religious and traditional values. After all, many people in Africa are very religious, believing in a supreme deity. Like same sex marriage, most Nigerians loathe the idea sexual plurality and the abusive use of pronouns. The reason for this aversion is simple. Nigeria is one of the most religious nations in the world. Most Nigerians identify themselves as either Christians, Muslims or Traditional worshipers. None of these religious belief systems support the idea of multiple sexual identity. Hence, it is highly reprehensible and condemned. 

 Is it a Crime? 

 Identifying as any of these none traditional genders is NOT a crime in Nigeria. However, a marriage or civil union by persons of same sex is prohibited by the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013. This explain why persons like Bobrisky (a Nigerian transgender woman) has not been arrested nor prosecuted. The implication is that, despite his sex reassignment surgery to be a woman, he cannot marry a fellow man because he is known to be a man. Whereas, he is at liberty to contract such marriage outside Nigeria. But on getting to Nigeria, he may be prosecuted if he decides to live with the individual as a couple. This appears to be unfair, inhuman and a violation of his/her right to person dignity when the society refuses to acknowledge his or their new identity. On the contrary, it is not, for one, people who request others to call them by an unfitting pronoun are asking people to suspend their common sense and violate their religious believe of the divine order, this is what is unfair and inhuman. Besides, it causes confusion, in the society. Also, you will have to ask people for their own pronoun before addressing them. Sometimes, in a bid to be polite or politically correct, people use the pronoun “them/their” to refer to a singular person. This is indeed irritating and annoying. 

 Grammatical Problem 

Grammatically, people cannot have their own verb or preposition or adjective, why then should they be allowed to have their own pronoun? Long ago, it was settled that man is a free moral agent, having a right of choice. Also, there is also the issue of determinism, by this, I mean certain things are determined by God and are not subject to change without consequences. Your father, mother, or grandparents were not chosen by you. Your height, genotype, skin colour was not your making, neither can you choose your gender. All these were handed over to us. No matter how much we try portray this idea, it defies logic, grammar and common sense. 

 Influence of Hollywood 

 It is reasonable to assume that this view represents the current state of things and may change in the future through the powerful influence of western mass media and Hollywood. The movie industry in America is the biggest in the world and has the capacity to change the perception or world view of people on any issue. Take for instance, the issue of gun violence in the US, many experts assert that the increased rate of gun violence particularly in schools and among young adults could be traced to the excessive exposure of teenagers to violent video games and movies. Yet, every month, the industry reels out violent blockbuster movies to entertain it wide audience around the world. 

Nosakhare  Okuonghae

Legal Information Professional nosakhareokuonsofficial@gmail.com

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