[caption id="attachment_105645" align="aligncenter" width="608"] President Goodluck Jonathan with President Obama[/caption]

Late last month, Nigeria's House of Representatives finally passed the long-festering anti-homosexuality measure once referred to as the "Kill the Gays" bill. As it appears now, the law criminalizes same-sex marriage and "amorous relationships," and even membership in any LGBT rights groups or social clubs. (Penalties can reach 14 years in prison, which we suppose is a step up from execution.) The bill passed Nigeria's Senate in late 2011 and will become law if its signed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

All Out, the international LGBT rights group, has launched an online petition to get President Jonathan to veto this heinous legislation.

TO: PRESIDENT JONATHAN OF NIGERIA

I'm joining with leaders across Nigeria to ask you to protect your own citizens by vetoing the anti-gay bill when it crosses your desk. It is a distraction from the serious problems facing all Nigerians.

The time to stop it and respect human rights is now.

So far 107,168 have signed on, but the group is aiming for 120,000. The hope is that enough everyday citizens get involved we can persuade President Obama to appeal to Jonathan on his trip to Africa at the end of the month.

Sign the petition and help keep the pressure on!