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Under the new bill, same sex marriages would carry a 15 year prison sentence, and individuals who witness or help these couples would face ten years in jail themselves. About 50 people, mostly men, crowd around the front porch of a social club in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, cheering on a shy-looking young man, who proceeds to sing a ballad.

Backstage, another man puts on his wig and takes a quick glance at his pocket mirror, before adjusting his tight-fitting red dress. Five other men also dressed in drag outfits appear, checking on each other's make-up as they wait for their turn to perform for the crowd. This gathering of members of the gay and lesbian community in Lagos is held regularly, albeit discreetly, but it could soon be illegal.

The vast majority of gay Nigerians may not be interested in this kind of event but they still have to hide their sexuality in this conservative society. Whilst already illegal, homosexuality is widely frowned upon across Nigeria and has been the subject of several bills in the National Assembly.

It also bans gatherings of homosexuals or any other support for gay clubs, organisations, unions or amorous expressions, whether in secret or in public.

Inside Nigeria's secret gay club

The bill has been passed by Nigeria's Senate - the highest chamber - and is now being reviewed by the lower chamber, the House of Representatives. Rashidi Williams is one of Nigeria's few openly gay human rights activists. If approved, it will be sent to the president to sign it into law, after which same-sex couples could face up to 14 years in prison.

But Nigerian homosexuals complain that the hidden they face is club enough punishment for their way of life. Kunle not his real namea gay man living in Lagos, is outraged by the proposed law: "How does a government think that sending someone to prison would change his or her sexual orientation?

One of Nigeria's few openly gay human rights activists, Rashidi Williams, notes that the bill seeks to ban something which is already illegal and which no-one is publicly advocating. The bill has been condemned abroad - most recently by Australian lawmakers - making its proponents see this piece of legislation as a way of protecting Nigerian society from hidden influences.

She adds: "You have a right to your sexual preference but by trying to turn it into marriage do you realise you could be infringing on the club rights of the other person who finds it repulsive? This view is echoed on the streets of this country, where religious influences, particularly from Christianity and Islam, are heavy.

Friends and family members of gay people could get implicated if they do not report cases of same-sex unions because they could be seen as being in support of them. Critics of the bill also worry that health workers who provide HIV counselling and treatment to homosexuals could be committing an offence cam well. However, some of these doctors say they hardly ever know the sexual orientation of those they attend to because it is not a requirement for treatment and counselling, and even if the patients were to reveal that they were homosexuals, it would not affect the quality of healthcare offered.

Some lawmakers have condemned cam against homosexuals but this has done little to prevent the growing anxiety among those the bill would target as its likely adoption, in whatever form, approaches. Gay the bill is passed, same-sex couples could face 14 years in prison. Mr Williams says some gay Nigerians may seek asylum in countries where homosexual people are accepted, while others will have to go underground.

At the gay club, despite the jovial atmosphere, there is heightened caution, and no-one is allowed to take any photos. The thought of being identified as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in a country where the public still turns to mob justice haunts some here. And that is a huge concern for Richard not his real name : "If you don't become discreet and gay to hide yourself, even the man on the street will want to also act on the bill because it has been passed.

Nigerian leaders unite against same-sex marriages. Gay rights: Africa, the new frontier.