Gay Couple Arrested in Malawi

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Journal, Africa Desk

BLANTYRE, Malawi-Today, two men, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, were arrested and jailed after participating in Malawi’s first same-sex public wedding ceremony over the weekend.  The ceremony took place on Saturday.  The two men are set to appear in court soon, to face charges of gross indecency. Homosexuality is banned in the conservative southern African country where discussions involving sexual orientation are still very taboo. The country’s penal code outlaws homosexuality and sodomy, which are both punishable by a maximum of fourteen years in jail.

Hundreds of people attended the ceremony. It was held at a guesthouse in Blantyre, which included traditional and hip-hop music and consisted of the two men wearing traditional robes. “I went there to see for myself a gay couple, “Finiasi Chikaoneka, one of the hundreds of people who attended the ceremony told, AFP.  “There were many people who were just curious about the whole affair because this was the first time that gays have come out openly,” he added.

The Malawi law society, composed of around 150 lawyers in Malawi, has condemned the wedding, saying it was illegal and “against the order of nature.” Gift Trapenze, who is in charge of the centre for the Development of People (“CEDEP”), which is in an advocate for gays, prostitutes, and prisoners, defended the couple, saying “they were expressing their legal rights.” Trapenze claims the wedding was aimed at challenging the Malawi laws which were silent on these issues. “the two individuals were expressing their sexual orientation as human beings. The police should not interefere in this matter,” he told AFP.

For more information please see:

AFP – Malawi Arrests Newly-Wed Gays For Gross Indecency – 29 December 2009

BBC – Malawi Gay Couple To Face Court After Engagement – 29 Decemeber 2009

NY Times – Malawi Police Arrest 2 Men for Engagement Ceremony – 29 December 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive