Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were found guilty today.
Guilty of what?
The crimes in which they are charged are in direct opposition to the constitution in Malawi, which clearly states "Discrimination of persons in any form is prohibited and all persons are, under any law, guaranteed equal and effective protection against discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status"
The courts and the police must follow the law and not their personal beliefs.
According to the National Post, "Prosecutor Barbra Mchenga urged the judge to hand down the maximum sentence, saying: 'The case has left a scar on Malawi's morality. The two did not show any remorse or regret for their actions. They seem to have been very proud of their action.'"
This is not a cause of the day. This is not the cause of the week. This is not trendy.
This is about you and I and how we want our world to be.
Imagine how it would feel to be viewed as abnormal in the eyes of your country and be stripped of your dignity?
Living in the U.S. and being witness to my friends and family who are gay being unable to marry has been both baffling and heartbreaking.
I know that the fetid, cramped conditions in prisons of Malawi are dangerous breeding grounds for a slow death.
This is not justice.
This appeal must and will pave the way for landmark reform.
The constitution must be upheld because the constitution is the truth.
The lawmakers of Malawi need to hear from you. All of you who read my previous post. All of you who wrote comments that have inspired. Please sign this petition so that our voices are heard clearly.
Human Rights activists, International aid agencies please come together as one team, rather than working silos.
I see this picture of these two men listening to the judge's ruling -- their faces are outlined with exhaustion.
No one should have to endure this.
The only thing that makes me smile this morning is that both Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have pride in standing up for what they know is true.
Love. Love. Love.