Equal Junction

Malawi’s president, Bingu wa Mutharika, pardoned a Gay couple who had been sentenced to 14 years in prison after their conviction on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency.

President wa Mutharika does not support rights for the homosexual community and neither does his country. However, as a humanitarian, he released them with no conditions.

We hope this injustice and international attention to Malawi will enlighten the closed minded citizens of Malawi and other countries that find us’ unnatural.’  We wish the couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga a future with no fear and love.

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Yesterday, a terrible event occurred. Our hearts go out to Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga who were sentenced to 14 years in prison for being a same-sex couple. This sends shockwaves of the awareness of hate all over the globe. We strongly urge the progressive people of Malawi to have strength in numbers to have these men released immediately. For the sake of your sons and daughters who, because of these strong men, will be stronger, not hide, and come out. Release these men!

Madonna, who adopted her 3rd child from Malawi had this to say:

“I am shocked and saddened by the decision made today by the Malawian court, which sentenced two innocent men to prison.  As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.  Today, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved.  I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi—and around the world—to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all.”

And the White House released a statement through Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

“The United States strongly condemns the conviction and harsh sentencing of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi. The criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity is unconscionable, and this case mars the human rights record of Malawi. We urge Malawi and all countries to stop using sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for arrest, detention, or execution.”

Photo VIA

Being a citizen of the USA, we are very fortunate to be able to speak our peace and freely protest with posters and signs that assist in exclaiming our rights. We must remember that for other parts of the world, thats a luxury and cannot be afforded.

In Malawi, Africa, Peter Sawali was arrested for taping up a poster that reads “Gay Rights are Human Rights.” Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi. Sawali is charged with breach of peace, and, if convicted, will be sentenced to 5 months in prison, hard labor, and a fine.  An investigation is on since Malawi authorities believe he didn’t act independently. This is unbelievable. He is being attacked for who he is! This is not right!

We would like to thank Peter Sawali for his strength and we hope others will support him in his home country, he has our support here.  There are plenty of LGBT family members here sending their love. We hope he gets through this tough ordeal. To learn more READ HERE.

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons