“I’ve battled depression and won, without the aid of drugs or anyone to talk to about it. Every day is a battle not to give in to depression, a battle that leaves me mentally drained at the end of each day. This new law won’t be allowed to tip the scales in favour of depression. I won’t allow it because I have finally won.”

An acquaintance who would rather remain anonymous talks about his battle for the acceptance of his sexuality, and his determination not to let the anti-gay law get to him.

The thing most Nigerians forget is that the LGBT community is made up of real people, individuals who not only have to deal with career choices and familial responsibilities and day-to-day decision making, but also have to deal with the struggles of what it means to be different in terms of their sexualities. Like a friend would usually say: May God open our eyes of understanding.