Malawi gay community demands recognition, respect of minority rights: Manerela+ orient religious leaders on advocacy

Members of the sexual minority LGBTI (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) group have called upon all Malawians including Religious Leaders to accept that LGBTI’s exist and begin to
recognise and respect their human rights.

The call was made by some members of the LGBTI community at the end of an interface meeting with religious leaders and an orientation meeting of religious leaders on Advocacy and human rights in relation to
sexuality.

An LGBTI member told Nyasa Times  in an exclusive interview that they want to see availability of LGBTI care and intervention within the Malawian society.

“We want to see availability of LGBTI care and intervention as well as total respect because we are also human beings just like any other
person” said the LGBTI.

She further called for Civic Education to Malawians on issues of LGBTI community.

“People lack information and end up misunderstand and misinterpret issues so we need to civic educate them. People need to know that some of us are in the LGBTI group by wish its natural she said.

Facilitators of the meetings Harold Kachepatsonga and Allie Mwachande both from Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected with HIV/Aids (MANERELA+) backed the plea the
LGBTI Members made.

“These are human beings just like all of us and their rights need to be respected rather than condemning them. No one is perfect and there
is no big or small sin that is why as MANERELA we are engaging religious leaders to provide assistance on a spiritual point of view,” said Mwachande.

On his part, Kachepatsonga emphasised the need to engage religious leaders and train them in advocacy saying they are the right people that can help in influencing policies.

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