THE NATION
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Bauchi is a deeply conservative Muslim-dominated state with strong support for Islamic law. Situated in the North-East geopolitical zone, it was one of the states that re-introduced the Sharia as part of its legal system in Northern Nigeria. The state forbids homosexuality, known in Hausa language as Luwadi. Gays and lesbians can be legally stoned to death If found guilty. But despite its strict laws and hostility towards same-gender sex, there exists an underground community where lesbians, gays, and bisexuals live, David Adenuga reports
“I remember we were playing hide and seek and we happened to hide in the same place. Things got weird and she kissed me and touched my breast.
“The following day, we were alone at home, so we started it again. I must say the experience is still fresh in my head,” she said.
Over time, Fatimah became more and more attracted to her fellow girls, and when she gained admission Into a tertiary institution in Bauchi, she continued to explore her weird sexuality.
She said: “I met my new girlfriend in the polytechnic. I was attracted to her shape. I like tall girls and she dresses in a sexy manner. I was the man in the relationship and she was my baby.
“I met her at a local pub in Gwallameji and she was just unusually staring at me. I would later approach her after and since then our chemistry has been amazing.”
Khadijah, Fatimah’s lover in Bauchi, told the reporter that her journey into lesbianism began at the age of 16 when she had her first same-gender sex.
She said she was lured by a friend after she got tipsy at a house party she was invited to. She would later regret her actions but still find it difficult to stop getting attracted to her fellow girls.
It was only a matter of time before she started experimenting with other girls.
After gaining admission into a tertiary institution, she met Fatimah, who opened her eyes more to her sexuality.
“My girlfriend used to give me multiple orgasms. It was then that I started to accept my sexuality as a lesbian,” she said.
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