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(NYASATIMES) Malawi police arrest gay couple, ‘honeymoon’ behind bars

Malawi police arrest gay couple, ‘honeymoon’ behind bars
By Nyasa Times
Published: December 29, 2009

Malawi Police on Monday arrested two Malawian men who had become the first gay couple to publicly tie the knot, in a country where homosexuality is illegal.

Steven Monjeza (pictured left -The Nation) and his bride Tiwonge Chimbalanga were married in a traditional but symbolic ceremony in southern Malawi on Saturday, attracting hundreds of curious onlookers. Southern region police publicist, Davie Chingwalu confirmed the arrest of the gay couple.

“Police arrested the two and questioned them,” said Chingwalu.

“We have charged them with gross public indecency contrary to section 156 of the penal code,” said the police spokesman.

According to Monjeza, he met his partner (Chimbalanga) at a prayer house.

“We met at church where we both pray and we have been together for the last five months … I have never been interested in a woman,” Monjeza told The Nation newspaper.

Homosexuality is banned in Malawi and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The debate of legalizing homosexuality took a different shape recently when from Dr Mary Shawa, secretary for nutrition, HIV, and AIDS in the president’s office, pointed out that recognizing the rights of gay citizens is essential to success in the fight against AIDS.

Shawa, speaking at a conference on HIV/AIDS, said that in order to fight the disease, Malawi needs to give gay people access to HIV and AIDS services.

“There is a need to incorporate a human rights approach in the delivery of HIV and AIDS services to such risk groups like men who have sexual intercourse with men if we have to fight AIDS,” said Shawa.

Advocacy organizations within Malawi report that 25% of the country’s gay population lives with HIV.

More than 800,000 people have died of AIDS since it first appeared in the country in 1985, and over 1 million children have been orphaned.

Labels: HOMOSEXUALITY, MALAWI

posted by MrK @ 8:58 AM