Health and Social Consequences of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Population in Nigeria

A Scoping Review

Dados Bibliográficos

ID11623620
AutoresEberechukwu Peace Akadinma (0000-0002-0111-2720, McMaster University, autor correspondente), Lauryn Dunkwu (0000-0003-2350-7130, University of Maryland, College Park), Farah Ahmad (0000-0001-9747-1148, York University)
Ano2026
Páginas1-29
Data de publicação2026-03-19
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2026.2637844
PMID41854439
OpenAlexW7138923757
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas80

Since the enactment of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) in Nigeria, many studies have shown its deleterious effects on LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. This review synthesizes existing literature on the health and social consequences of the SSMPA. Guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, searches were conducted across 10 databases, yielding 720 records. Following independent screening by two reviewers and a consensus process, 15 studies were selected, with three additional studies identified through reference hand-searching. Eighteen studies, including one high-quality gray literature study, were included. Research in this area focused disproportionately on gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with men, leaving significant gaps concerning the experiences of lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender persons in the country. An inductive thematic analysis revealed four themes: a) Pervasive stigma and discrimination; b) Multiple forms of violence; c) Lack of dignified access to care; d) Health disparities, particularly poor mental health, and maladaptive coping. Findings demonstrate the SSMPA has significant health and social consequences for LGBTQ+ Nigerians. Public health efforts aimed at mitigating health disparities must consider the impact of relevant legislation. Further, repealing the SSMPA must be paired with decolonizing and unlearning the normative beliefs about gender and sexuality

Heteronormativity · Homosexuality · Human sexuality · Population · Queer · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships