Malawi court convicts gay couple for getting married: Facing 14 years in prison
”A judge has found a gay couple guilty of unnatural acts and gross indecency after a trial that drew worldwide condemnation of Malawi’s laws on homosexuality.” — AP
”A court in Malawi has convicted a gay couple of gross indecency and unnatural acts… and could now face 14 years in prison. They had denied both charges and their arrest had sparked a debate about homosexuality in the country.” — BBC
Early reports about the world-famous case of two men who were married in the African nation of Malawi at the end of 2009. Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, was wedded to Steven Monjenza, 26, in an bold public ceremony that garnered a lot of attention. Their marriage is not legal in the country that criminalizes homosexuality. The couple was arrested and reported being beaten in jail. Chimbalanga remained defiant, but Monjenza seemed to back off from his commitment after the law became involved.
”If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison…. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless.”
Messge from Tiwonge Chimbalanga that British activist Peter Tatchell said he received. (CNN)
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