Like wild fire in harmattan, the news of their marriage, which was intended not to be publicised, spread on social media, drawing scathing views from online commentators. Mr Shoen, the New York based-photographer, fund raiser and blogger, married Mr Ukre, originally from Delta State.
Mr Ukre said: “We tried very carefully to make sure this wouldn’t happen and guests were instructed not to take photos during the ceremony. We were very particular about who was invited.
"It was a sad added bonus that most of the guests from Nigeria cancelled just 24 hours before the ceremony as I felt lost. I still get a terrible feeling in my stomach just a week and a half later as I hate being helpless.”
Having failed to conceal the union and just smarting from the witheringly scornful reactions to the solemnisation of their union, he has, however, accepted his fate. By the end of the day, more than 150 sites had blogged about the wedding, with many Nigerians calling it the end of times and threatening to behead them if they visited Nigeria.
"Many were asking God to rain down evil upon us, suggesting that we get anal cancer and die, calling us devils and threatening us in various other vulgar ways. Some people commented positively, but they were in the minority.
At the same time, his phone and my phone started to heat up with Facebook messages from strangers condemning them for being gay. His phone started to ring continuously from unknown Nigerian phone numbers," Mr Ukre added.
Their groomsmen were also not spared as they were accused of being gay, with one of them feeling compelled to come off social media after the pressure. Before the latest spotlight on Eric and David, the Nigerian LGBT community was championed by Bisi Alimi, a gay rights activist, public speaker, blog writer and Hiv/LGBT advocate who gained international attention when he became the first Nigerian to come out of the closet on television.
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