Gay couple sentenced to maximum 14 years in Malawi

[Seneca]

In case anyone thought that Uganda was alone in the Most-Bigoted-Country in the world contest. According to the article, "Homosexuality is illegal in at least 37 countries in Africa including Malawi. In Uganda, lawmakers are considering a bill under which homosexuals could be sentenced to life in prison and "repeat offenders" could be executed. Even in South Africa, the only African country that recognizes gay rights, gangs have raped lesbians."

This is absolutely disgusting, appalling, and outrageous. And don't think for a moment that tea party pinheads, religious right whackanoodles, and other red-blooded, red-stated American bigots are secretly filled with glee at this story, but wouldn't dare say so out loud - at least not without the sanction of anonymous comments below the news story (the real last refuge of scoundrels). Yes, I made the mistake of reading some of them.


Here it is, with a link following:

Gay couple sentenced to maximum 14 years in Malawi

BLANTYRE, Malawi – A judge sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison with hard labor under Malawi's anti-gay legislation, and crowds jeered the two men as they were driven from the court house to jail Thursday.

The harsh sentence for unnatural acts and gross indecency had been expected after the same judge convicted Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza earlier this week under laws dating from the colonial era. The case has drawn international condemnation and sparked a debate on human rights in this conservative southern African country.

Chimbalanga, a 20-year-old hotel janitor, and his unemployed partner were arrested Dec. 27, the day after they celebrated their engagement with a party at the hotel where Chimbalanga worked — an apparent first in Malawi.

"Maximum sentences are intended for use for worst cases," Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa said as he delivered his sentence. "We are sitting here to represent the Malawi society which I do not believe is ready at this point in time to see its sons getting married to other sons or conducting engagement ceremonies."



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100520/ap_on_re_af/af_malawi_gay_trial