15 things to know about House of Rainbow, ‘first gay church in Nigeria’

The first gay church in Nigeria is conspicuously named House of Rainbow – most likely because the colours of the rainbow is same as that of the LGBTIQ movement.

Homosexuality is a topic that sparks heavy controversy in Nigeria.

Majority of the population is vociferously against it while acts of homosexuality will offer you a 14-year jail sentence in accordance to Nigerian law.

The man behind the House of Rainbow movement is Rowland Olajide Macaulay, a reverend who sees himself as an activist.

On Monday, House of Rainbow marked its 10-year anniversary in faraway London, away from the grasp of Nigeria’s anti-homosexuality law.

Here are 15 things you should know about Macaulay’s movement, which is described as “Nigeria’s first gay church”.

• Although it was founded in Nigeria, there is no record of a physical church structure for House of Rainbow on Nigerian soil.
• It was founded in September 2006 by Macaulay, Nigeria’s first openly gay pastor.
• In Nigeria, Macaulay ran the church from his home in Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos and a “worship space” in Ojodu Berger, Lagos.
• 32 people were in attendance at the first meeting which took place at Ikeja Capital City Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
• On December 31, 2006, House Of Rainbow hosted the largest number of LGBT people of faith gathering in Lagos for the New Year’s eve celebration. Over 200 people attended.
• The Nigerian house of assembly invited Macaulay in 2007 to speak on the same sex prohibition bill but he never got the chance to address the chamber.
• He fled the country after national newspaper publications emerged about his church in 2008. Following the release of the articles, Macaulay received numerous death threats.
• Macaulay once considered committing suicide because of his homophobic family members.
• Macaulay was married to a woman in 1991 and got a divorce in  1994.
• The House of Rainbow church is located in London, UK.
• There are currently 13 active groups with 17 volunteer local leaders, 11 cities and in 7 countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Lesotho, Burundi, Zambia, and the United Kingdom.
• House of Rainbow has two groups dedicated to LGBTIQ Muslims in Nigeria and Ghana respectively. ‎
• The religious organisation has performed over 10 same sex weddings or blessings in the past 10 years in Europe and Africa.
• House Of Rainbow has printed and distributed over 10,000 copies of pocket Ddevotional for LGBT Christians. ‎
• House Of Rainbow now includes fellowships to LGBTIQ Christians and Muslims.