14 Years in Jail for Being Gay is Unn...

14 Years in Jail for Being Gay is Unnatural!

14 Years in Jail for Being Gay is Unnatural!

I received with shock and disbelief the news that Malawian gay couple, Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, have been sentenced to a 14 year jail term without the option of a fine. What is the rationale for jailing two innocent young men to a fourteen year jail term for doing something that is neither injurious to the state, the environment or other persons for that matter. 14 years behind bars for homosexual acts is harsh, disproportionate and illegitimate. What of a ‘crime’ that is legal in other countries, including their southern neighbor, South Africa!

Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa convicted both men of engaging in gay sex which he said was "against the order of nature". Who defines what is natural or unnatural? At one time in the history of the world, a union between a black and a white man were unnatural in colonial Africa and in the US before the civil rights. Now it is commonplace. In less than ten years, homosexuality will be widely accepted. Malawi should have based their judgment on world trends and some semblance of foresight and not to act like Malawi is a social island. In the near future, Malawi will be forced to apologize to the two gay couple for usurping their rights and liberty to live their lives according to the dictates of their natures. This is an illegal confinement at best. Malawi will hang her head in shame for negating the rights of minorities and promoting homophobia.

I am surprised that the president, Mr Bingu wa Mutharika, who is obviously more exposed than any other average Malawian given he was once a top World Bank official, did not see it fit to intervene. 14 years for consensual sex between adults, irrespective of its nature is just too much. Two guys, with their lives ahead of them, to waste their prime lives in squalid Malawian jails crawling with sods is unwarranted and uncalled for. It is simply undeserved. I am not gay but I am ashamed of this.

For a state to confine her productive citizens wantonly to long jail terms in the name of defending public morality shows a lack of priority and seriousness. Malawi is one of the poorest countries on earth, if they could prosecute corrupt government officials with the same zeal and zest, fight poverty with the same fervor, her citizens would be living better lives, it is a pity they are interested in investing their energies in trivialities.

Malawi has made social martyrs of these two guys. I hope their suffering will not be in vain. I hope it will encourage a sober debate on homosexuality in Africa that in turn will lead to respect of minority rights by state and citizenry.