The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to ban same sex marriages and civil unions in the state.
The proposed legislation is entitled “A Law to Prohibit Contract of Marriage, or Civil Union Entered into Between Persons of Same Sex, Solemnisation of Same, Whether Cultural, or in Accordance with Any Status in Existence, and for Matters Connected Therewith”.
The bill was supported by the member for Boki II State Constituency and Chief Whip of the House, Hilary Bisong, The Guardian reported.
Bisong, who led the debate yesterday, said marriage as recognised in the Bible is between a man and a woman.
He pointed to sections of the Book of Genesis and other biblical passages to bolster his argument, saying that same-sex unions are opposed to religious beliefs.
The lawmaker also referred to Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution which grants state Houses of Assembly the right to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of respective states.
The measure says that same-sex weddings or civil unions will not be recognised in the state of Cross River, irrespective of culture, tradition or any other law. It also states that certificates issued for such unions outside the state shall not have legal effect in the state.
The proposed legislation also seeks to ban the solemnisation of same-sex marriages or civil unions in churches, mosques, courts, traditional shrines or any other site of worship in the state.
Assembly members spoke in the debate, voting unanimously in favour of the bill, saying that same-sex unions are out of sync with the state’s moral and cultural values. Some spoke of homosexuality as a social and moral issue.
Speaker of the House Elvert Ayambem praised the sponsor and members of parliament for what he called a comprehensive debate.
He raised alarm over what he called the rising frequency of homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality in the state.
“We are determined to ensure that the House passes a law prescribing stiff penalties against anyone found guilty of violating the proposed law, Ayambem said.
It has now passed second reading and is expected to go to a committee stage for further legislative consideration.
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