The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriages and civil unions in the state.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Law to Prohibit Contract of Marriage, or Civil Union Entered into Between Persons of Same Sex, Solemnization of Same, Whether Cultural, or in Accordance with Any Status in Existence, and for Matters Connected Therewith”.
The bill was sponsored by the member representing Boki II State Constituency and Chief Whip of the House, Hilary Bisong.
Leading the debate on Tuesday, Bisong argued that marriage, as recognised in the Bible, is between a man and a woman.
He cited provisions of the Book of Genesis and other biblical passages to support his position, describing same-sex unions as contrary to religious teachings.
The lawmaker also relied on Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers state Houses of Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of their states.
According to the bill, same-sex marriages or civil unions, irrespective of culture, tradition or any other law, will not be recognised in Cross River State. It further provides that certificates issued for such unions outside the state will have no legal effect within the state.
The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit the solemnisation of same-sex marriages or civil unions in churches, courts, mosques, traditional shrines or any other place of worship in the state.
Contributing to the debate, members of the Assembly unanimously supported the bill, arguing that same-sex unions are inconsistent with the state’s moral and cultural values. Some lawmakers also described homosexuality as a social and moral concern.
Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, commended the sponsor and lawmakers for what he described as a thorough debate.
He expressed concern over what he called the growing prevalence of homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality in the state.
Ayambem said the House was committed to enacting legislation that would prescribe stiff penalties for anyone found guilty of violating the proposed law.
The bill has now scaled second reading and is expected to proceed to the committee stage for further legislative consideration.
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