Madonna Speaks Out...

Madonna celebrates Malawi pardon. The Kaballa Queen took to her blog Monday to thank the thousands of fans who joined her campaign to release the Malawian couple sentenced to 14 years hard labor for their homosexuality. Shortly following the couple’s sentencing, the singer launched a vocal campaign to help free them. She called on fans to sign a petition calling for the couple’s release. 

“In the last week, over 30,000 of you added your name to mine calling for the release of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalangal – the Malawi couple sentenced to 14 years hard labour for the ‘crime’ of homosexuality. With incredible joy, I am writing to share with you that Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has ordered their release,” She wrote.  Although they are out of prison, homosexuality remains illegal in Malawi and activists are searching for a place of refuge for the couple.  “Though they are free from Prison, sadly their safety and future in Malawi is still unknown. I hope this is just the beginning of our work together,” Madonna added.

Madonna has two adopted children from the African country, Mercy and David. She is currently building a school for girls in Malawi.

Source: 365gay.com

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Gay Malawi Couple Released, Pardoned

The President of Malawi ordered the release of the gay coupled sentenced to fourteen years.  This could be the beginning of change in that country.  Take a look at this story...

Two people sentenced to 14 years in prison for engaging in what the government considered a same-sex wedding ceremony have been pardoned by Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika, who has ordered their immediate release.  Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were jailed in December and then convicted and sentenced last week on charges of gross indecency and unnatural acts.

“These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion, and our laws,” Mutharika said after meeting with UN chief Ban Ki-Moon, who was in Malawi to lobby for the men’s release. “However, as the head of state I hereby pardon them and therefore ask for their immediate release with no conditions."  According to several reports and activists in South Africa, Chimbalanga identifies as a transgender woman and the couple consider themselves a male-female couple.

Upon hearing of the pardon, the White House released the following statement: "The White House is pleased to learn of President Bingu wa Mutharika's pardon of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza. These individuals were not criminals and their struggle is not unique. We must all recommit ourselves to ending the persecution and criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity. We hope that President Mutharika's pardon marks the beginning of a new dialogue which reflects the country's history of tolerance and a new day for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Malawi and around the globe."

Source: Advocate.com

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Malawi Couple Sentenced to 14 Years for Being Gay

Around the world, homophobia is more than stares, snickers or violent attacks.  One can be imprisoned.  Take a look at the following story...

A Malawi court on Thursday sentenced a gay couple who staged a same-sex wedding to 14 years in prison with hard labour, two days after they were convicted of violating "the order of nature".  Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested on December 28 following their symbolic wedding and have been in jail ever since. Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi and several other African countries.

"I sentence you to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour each. That's the maximum under the penal code," magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa told the two men in a courtroom in the capital Blantyre.  "I will give you a scaring sentence so that the public be protected from people like you so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example," the judge added.  "Malawi is not ready to see its sons getting married to its sons."

The couple looked subdued when the sentence was handed down and were quickly rushed out of the packed courtroom.  As they were escorted away under heavy police guard, hundreds of curious onlookers outside the court shouted at them, with one woman yelling, "Malawi should never allow homosexuality at any cost."  The sentence could be appealed at the high court, said the judge.  "We will sit down to see if they will need me to appeal at the high court," said the men's lawyer, Mauya Msuku.

The judge Tuesday convicted both men of engaging in gay sex.  In unusually graphic language, Usiwa Usiwa convicted Monjeza of "having carnal knowledge of Tiwonge through the anus, which is against the order of nature."  Chimbalanga was found guilty of "permitting buggery", which the judge said was similarly contrary to the natural order.

While international donors have expressed concern about the trial, Protestant churches in Malawi have urged the government to uphold its ban on homosexuality, which religious leaders described as "un-Christian".  The Malawi case has highlighted a toughening stance across Africa against homosexuality.

Source: AFP Global Edition

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