Judgement for ‘grossly indecent’ gay couple on March 22
A gay couple jailed on charges of gross indecency for holding Malawi’s first unofficial same sex wedding will be sentenced on charges of “gross indecency” next month, a magistrate said on Thursday.
“The court will meet on March 22 for judgment,” Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa said after a hearing.
The couple, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, were denied bail when they were brought before the courts last month.
They face a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment, in a deeply conservative southern African country which forbids homosexuality.
They did not apply for legal recognition of their relationship, following their symbolic wedding in December.
Sir Elton John is facing a backlash from conservative Christian groups after stating in an interview that Jesus was a gay man. The 62-year-old musician also opened up to US magazine Parade about the “life-threatening downside” of fame and his relationship with partner David Furnish.
But it’s the Rocket Man’s views on Jesus’s sexuality which have sparked headlines across the world.
In the interview, to be published in America on Saturday, Sir Elton said: “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems.
“On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East – you’re as good as dead.”
Stephen Green, director of Christian Voice, described the gay claim as “rubbish”.
He said: “The Bible says Jesus was without sin and that rules out homosexuality. This is a desperate cry for attention.”
Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute, dismissed the star’s views, saying: “Had a senior political figure made these comments, I would have had an opinion. But this is Elton John and I don’t think anybody takes him seriously.”
Gay Christian groups acknowledged Sir Elton, who is often pictured wearing a crucifix, had reopened debate on homosexuality and the church.
Jeremy Marks, founder and director of Courage, a Christian organisation for Gays and Lesbians, said: “None of us know and will never know what Jesus’s sexuality was. Certainly people’s perceptions of relationships between men, and men and women, were different then and would be unrecognisable today. I think he is explaining how he sees Jesus in his life and wants to encourage other people to see that too.”
Leave them alone the law that criminalises homosexuality should be abolished. One has a right to live their life as they choose. They should not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
whether homosexuality is a learnt behaviour or not does not matter it is their right to live as they wish.
I am straight but i have no problem with those that are not its their life let them be.
who doesnt sin you those of you that stand and judge others like this have extra marital affairs…and you sin in many ways
who says the human population will die out not everyone is gay so those that aren straight will procreate. Besides we are already overcrowded on this planet…there are just too many humans and the earth cant handle it…
14 years in jail for performing a fake wedding! you people do live in the dark ages. You people need to bring back the europeans to rule your country.
hey u racist we dnt live in the dark ages and don’t concerned with your countries business we know how to rule ourselves. just because you gave in to homos doesn’t mean that we have to
hey u racist we don’t live in the dark ages and don’t concerned with your countries business we know how to rule ourselves. just because you gave in to homos doesn’t mean that we have to
Yes 14 YEARS SIR. We would rather be in the dark ages than your european dudes who hump dogs and monkeys in public! No european will rule us while alive.
do you people even read the bible. it openly says that love between to men is a sin. so how can u consider allowing homos to continuing living near u.
utchisi, i hate it very much. which rights? bad rights? fortsakiiiii!
Since the proessor is being discussed as a potential future president of Malawi, could someone please provide a translation into English of his comments, below, so that those with an interest in the future of Malawi, and his colleagues where he holds a position of professor of law in the US, can understand his position and thinking better? Zikomo.
Prof. Peter Muntharika says:
February 18, 2010 at 9:03 pm
13 years with hard labour with no chance of parole – so that akapita ku court of appeal, zikakwane 14 years… Ife titakwatira pamenepo… hehehe, wakwatira kwamphezi sawopa kung’anipa…
dont worry, mandela anakhala mundende 27 14 zokha ndichani…
Let them be punished for their evil deeds.