Christians Terrorizing Queer Women in Nigeria

Plus, We're Going to Be Helping You Stay Grounded Each Week

Hi everyone,

In this week’s newsletter, we’re trying something new. In addition to our media highlights, we’re bringing you something that’s helping us stay grounded as we wade through the heavy political and theological issues we deal with here. It will be Jonathan keeping us grounded today, but we will alternate in future. Let’s get to it!

This week, we have:

-        The dangers facing queer women in Nigeria

-        The complex work of caring for traumatized animals

-        Prison slave labor and the American food industry

-        Why the US mandates reporting child abuse, not preventing it

-        And Jonathan helps us stay grounded with poetry

Jonathan’s Recommendations

Christians Terrorizing Queer Women in Nigeria

(Content warning for mentions of homophobic violence, physical and sexual). A tragic article from CNN reports on a phenomenon in Nigeria known locally as “Kito,” which is catfishing queer people on dating apps to either blackmail them or physically and sexually assault them in horrifying attempts to make them straight. The background for this practice is not just hateful cultural norms, but the religious culture of the country that baptizes homophobia, conversion therapy, and sexual violence as necessary, helpful, and even healing. CNN spoke with 16 queer women who shared their stories of fear and exploitation at the hands of Christians and Muslims, which have only increased in the years following the country’s 2014 law criminalizing almost every aspect of LGBTQ+ life. Followers of Jesus should reflect on how we allow damaging beliefs, thought patterns, and leaders to go unresisted in our hearts, minds, homes, and faith communities. We must search out and uproot the evil that produces fruit like this.

-        Read the story