Nigeria Criminalizing Homosexual Marriage

(Abuja, Nigeria) Gays and lesbians are being targeted for punishment in Nigeria.

Nigeria's senate voted on Tuesday to criminalise gay marriage, instituting prison terms of more than a decade for violations in a nation where gays and lesbians already face discrimination and abuse.

The Bill heads to Nigeria's House of Representatives, who have to approve the Bill and send it to President Goodluck Jonathan for his signature before it becomes law.

However, public opinion -- and lawmakers' calls for even harsher penalties for being gay -- shows wide support for the measure in the deeply religious nation.

Couples could be sentenced to 14 years in prison.