Transgender Nigerians fear proposals to criminalise cross-dressing
Jay Boogie has tens of thousands of fans on Instagram, where she posts sultry images of herself in lingerie and swimwear – but the transgender Nigerian could be jailed for cross-dressing if a proposed bill becomes law.
The amendment – currently in parliament – would make it illegal for a person to wear clothes in public that do not match their gender assigned at birth, or in photos or videos from a private event.
Boogie and other LGBTQ+ activists fear it could be used to target trans people. “We’re born different and should have the right to live how we want to,” said Boogie, 24, an online brand ambassador living in Port Harcourt. “I’m always careful with places I go to … (If the bill passes), there are people that wouldn’t take it lightly.
They don’t even want to see us.” Nigeria is among the worst countries in the world for LGBTQ+ equality, according to legal rights index Equaldex, with gay and trans people facing stigma and violence in a culturally conservative society.
