LGBTQ activist Bisi Alimi and his husband Anthony Davis recently made history with when they appeared on the satirical news show The Report Card, making them the first gay couple to appear on Nigerian television, Gay Star News reports.
The two currently live in London, and Davis decided he wanted to see his husband's homeland, so the two made a trip to the West African country. Their appearance on The Report Card marks the second time Alimi has made waves on Nigerian TV, as the activist used the platform to come out 14 years ago.
"Everyday across Nigeria, many LGBT people would just want 0000.1% of the love and freedom that we have and I hope if you are reading this and living in Europe or America where it is okay to be gay, you will understand that in other parts of the world it is not easy, and it is time to give your time or money or energy to make the world better," said Alimi.
"Maybe it is time to support organisations like All Out, Diversity Role Model or even the Bisi Alimi Foundation and the work we are doing in Nigeria."
Alimi is certainly on the frontlines with his activism, but he was a bit hesitant to do the interview at first, and understandably so, since homosexuality is an illegal act in Nigeria. Eventually, however, he decided to risk arrest in order to help his country's LGBTQ community.
"The television station was able to track us down for an interview, and at first it was a 'NO, NO,' but we also felt we own the movement in Nigeria a sense of responsibility towards visibility," Alimi said. "I think the fear was more around how it will be perceived and how that will impact people, and also this has never been done before and what does it mean in the bigger picture. After much deliberation, we both agreed to do the interview."
The couple also touched on religion and Alimi's belief in God, including how his love for his husband inspired him to revisit church.
"He believes in me," said Davis.
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