ABSTRACT
This research posed the question "How do homosexuals in Lagos live their lives knowing
who they are and navigating a life where they might not be accepted by its majority?" There
has been a lack of previous research on this topic, no community for the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), as well as homophobic attitudes within the Nigerian
society. Because of conflicting social identifiers (Is it possible for one to be both homosexual
and African?) and the non-existence of gay black voices, it is imperative to deconstruct the
ideals impeding a relationship between Nigerian homosexuals and the communities they are a
part of. I utilized qualitative in-depth interviewing techniques interviewing 7 Lagosians aged
20 and above who voluntary identified themselves as homosexual. The research revolved
around three specific questions designed to capture the whole research. A finding of the
research states that the participants disclosed that because of African stereotypes, gay
stereotypes, lack of a gay community, homophobia in the community, and perceptions of
blackness and masculinity's effect on gay Black men ... they live their lives with various
restrictions. In other words, homosexuals do not appear to be living their lives the way they
feel they ought to be living it. This work is important because a majority of the participants
stated they wished to live restriction-free lives. I recommend that this research should spur the
birth of a new arm of psychology specifically directed to helping denizens of the LGBTQ
community. They are not able to fully be themselves in their daily lives and often have to
assimilate to be accepted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract .i
Certification .ii
Dedication .iii
Acknowledgments , .iv
Table of Contents v
Chapter 1: Background to the Study - 1
Introduction - 1
Statement of the Study - 3
Purpose of the Study - 3
Significance of the Study - 4
Literature Review - 5
Research Questions -12
Research Hypotheses - 12
Operational Definition ofTerms -12
Chapter 2: Research Methods - 14
Introduction - 14
Design -14
Scholar-Activist, critical and interpretive approaches -15
Population -16
Sample Size - 17
Data Collection -17
Data Analysis - 18
Validity and Coding - 23
v
Pilot Study - 24
Robustness - 25
Chapter 3: Results - 26
Analysis of the Question - 26
Hypotheses - 27
Chapter 4: Discussion - 29
Discussion - 29
The shame of living with the stigma of their sexuality - 29
The need to conform to the social standards of the society - 30
Closet-Case syndrome - 30
Quest for normalcy - 31
The need for acceptance from their friends, families and peers - 32
Their concerns for safety - 33
Their hope for freedom - 34
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations - 36
Conclusion - 36
Recommendations - 41
References - 4 3
