Abstract:
This study grounds itself in contact theory and imagined contact theory to argue that contact and simulated/imagined contact with queerness contributes to the eradication of homophobic prejudices. Using international human rights soft law – the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights’ Resolution 275 on the protection against violence and other human rights violations against persons on the basis of their real or imputed sexual orientation or gender identity – for its persuasive effect, this study seeks to centre the importance of attitude-focused work in the advancement of queer rights as well as in the engagement with queer-inclusive soft law standards in Nigeria, and more specifically in Nigerian universities. Based on an empirical storytelling intervention conducted at the University of Lagos, this study seeks to demonstrate the potential of the joint use of indigenous storytelling and Resolution 275 as attitude-focused and empathy-driven advocacy tools for advancing queer rights in Nigeria, In doing so, the study contributes to reimagining soft law and queer rights advocacy in terms of pedagogies as well as queer Nigerian classrooms as sites for queer rights advocacy.
