The plight of lesbian polygamists

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Did I get your attention? Then you'll want to know about this:

A Nigerian lesbian who "married" four women last weekend in Kano State has gone into hiding from the Islamic police, with her partners.

Under Sharia law, adopted in the state seven years ago, homosexuality and same-sex marriages are outlawed and considered very serious offences.

The theatre where the elaborate wedding celebration was held on Sunday has been demolished by Kano city's authorities.

Lesbianism is also illegal under Nigeria's national penal code.

Nigeria's parliament is considering tightening its laws on homosexuality.

No, no, I'm not going to make a case for polygamy, but the hypocrisy here -- men are permitted to have four wives, women are kept in bondage -- suggests that this is about sexism and homophobia, not polygamy. But that's what you get in a backwards society ruled by religious extremism.

Nigeria's a lovely place, isn't it?