Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza are Fine, gives interview

This is not translated yet, but I wanted to show they are okay and together.

Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, and Steven Monjeza, 26, gave a brief news conference in the administrative capital Lilongwe late Wednesday, their first public appearance together since Saturday's pardon from the sentence of 14 years' hard labour imposed after they held a symbolic wedding.

The pardon followed a meeting between Mutharika and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Malawi has been sharply criticised by the international community for jailing the couple and maintaining laws that criminalise homosexuality.

The couple asked the media and the general public to respect their privacy.

"So much has been said and written about us, both positive and negative. We think this is the time for us to be given an opportunity to enjoy our freedom," they said.

They called their ordeal "the most stressful period in our lives."

Chimbalanga told AFP in a phone interview that he was in Lilongwe to "have a breather", while his partner had returned to his village.

Gift Trapence, director of the underground gay movement Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), which paid the couple's legal fees, said the group was trying to find jobs for Chimbalanga and Monjeza.

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Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza staying on the low

Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza are not in the clear yet.

Because of their freedom, the couple can still be in some danger, mostly by the stupid townspeople. So, they are keeping a low profile for now.

However, folks are doing all they can to keep them safe:

Activists said late Saturday that they were searching for a safe house for the couple, fearing they could be attacked upon release.

The couple's lawyer, Mauya Msuku, said he had not seen either of the men since their release.

Maxwell Manda also said he had not seen Chimbalanga, his brother-in-law, on Sunday. He told The Associated Press days earlier that Chimbalanga wanted to leave Malawi upon his release.

"We heard that they were released but we don't know where they are," he told The AP on Sunday. "They are neither at their home in (a Blantyre suburb) or their villages. But I know they are keeping a low profile deliberately because of the sensitivity of their case."

The two were not at their Blantyre home when an Associated Press reporter visited Sunday morning.

Hopefully, they can get out of Malawi, maybe move to England or somewhere safe.

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The Power of Madonna

I may hate on Madonna, but I know she's a big deal.

Last week, she came out in support of the imprisoned, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza. Now, she is reaching out through her charity, Raising Malawi for help:

Madonna released the following statement in response to a Malawi court's decisions to jail two men for 14 years for the "crime" of homosexuality. Read the statement, then add your name in support of equal rights.

I am shocked and saddened by the decision made this week by the Malawian court, which sentenced two innocent men to prison.

As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.

This week, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved.

I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi—and around the world—to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all.

—Madonna

It's Not that Serious if Madonna condemns the Sentence of Gay Malawi Couple...

However if Kate Bush sent a statement, it would really have an impact.

BTW, why does it matter that Moo-donna condemns it?

The White House speaks on the Malawi Couple

Straight from the White House website:

The United States strongly condemns the conviction and harsh sentencing of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi. The criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity is unconscionable, and this case mars the human rights record of Malawi. We urge Malawi and all countries to stop using sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for arrest, detention, or execution.

Is there Hope for the Malawi Couple?

The trial of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza has really opened our eyes to the true horror of oppression and discrimination. And after their guilty verdict, it seems that all hope is lost.

But there could be a possible way.

Human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, says they can appeal:

“I expect both men will appeal against the verdict and sentence. Steven and Tiwonge’s best hope is that a higher court will overturn this unjust, cruel verdict; although a more positive outcome on appeal is uncertain, given the high-level homophobia that exists in Malawian society, including among the judiciary.

“The magistrate was biased from outset. He refused the two men bail, which is very unusual in cases of non-violent offences. In Malawi, bail is normal. It is often granted to thieves and violent criminals. Denying Steven and Tiwonge bail was an act of vindictiveness.

“I appeal to governments worldwide, especially the South African government, to condemn this harsh, bigoted judgement and to urge its reversal,” said Mr Tatchell.

Also there are campaigns and Amnesty International has adopted them as Prisoners of Conscience.

I can't help but to see this couple's plight as the ultimate example of what we fight for. We may think we got it bad, but their struggle is beyond anything we could ever imagine.

I'm really hoping for a miracle, they should not suffer for their love.

Malawi Couple found Guilty

Oh no! After all their struggles and drama, the Malawi will face prison time.

A judge has found a gay couple guilty of unnatural acts and gross indecency after a trial that has sparked worldwide condemnation of Malawi's laws on homosexuality.

Blantyre chief resident magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa issued the ruling yesterday. The couple are facing up to 14 years in prison with hard labour after becoming the first gay couple in Malawi to publicly commit themselves to each other.

Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, had been jailed since they were arrested on 27 December, the day they celebrated their engagement with a party that drew crowds of curious onlookers.

Chimbalanga, 20, and Monjeza, 26, took a historic step when they committed to marriage at a symbolic ceremony in the southern African state, where homosexuality is outlawed.

This is heartbreaking, y'all. I mean, we are denied the right to marry, but to face 14 years in prison? I can't imagine how I would feel.

Man... I hope they can stay strong through this.


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Interesting Quote: Tiwonge Chimbalanga

"If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless."

His message from jail in Malawi, as he and husband awaits a possible sentence of 14 years of hard labor.

Hang up a Poster, Get 3 months in Jail!

Malawi needs some serious major hands laying action.

A man has been arrested for putting up posters championing gay rights, police said Tuesday, adding they were searching for other Malawians they believe are working with foreigners in the campaign.

There is debate over gay rights in this conservative country, sparked by the trial of a gay couple charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency, felonies for which they could be imprisoned for up to 14 years.

In an interview Tuesday, police spokesman Dave Chingwalu said the man arrested Saturday will be charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, a misdemeanor that could be punished with a fine of up to 5,000 kwacha (about $35) or up to three months in jail.

Really? He can be arrested for that? This just proves that gay rights are desperately need there.

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Tiwonge Chimbalanga collapses in court

Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, the Malawi gay couple facing prison time for their engagement, have been facing hard times since this trial thing started.

Now, things are getting worst.

Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who has spent more than a week in one of the country’s most congested prisons, vomited and stumbled onto the dusty court floor just before the case was due to start.

As he lay on the ground he was jeered by members of the public who had crowded in to watch what has become a cause célèbre and a test case for gay rights in the African nation. With no one to assist him, Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed with a traditional dotted red and yellow striped wrapper around his waist and a red top, finally managed to stand and was allowed to leave to clean himself up.

A few minutes later he re-emerged with a mop and a pail to clean the vomit from the court floor — a chore that women in Africa typically have to perform even when they are sick.

This is really, really bad. I wish they had a safe haven just to breathe and chill from all of this. I hope they can make it.

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Gay Malawi Couple claims abuse in Prison

Last week, I told y'all the Malawi couple being jailed for getting in engaged. Well, things are getting worse for Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza. Since their imprisonment, the couple has claimed to been beaten and harrassed.

And the pressure of proving their innocence is breaking them down:

Mr Monjeza said that he was drunk when they first met. But he admitted that he sobered up later. “I love the way he talked, the way he loved me.”

When it was suggested that he sounded apologetic and remorseful, however, he expressed his doubts about the wisdom of their historic confrontation with the conservative southern African state. “Well, I was drunk. I guess I wanted to be famous but I am now regretting. Prison life is no good. I realised we have broken the laws. I am calling this off. I am not crazy. I have another woman I intended to marry but I loved Tiwonge. I guess I should apologise to that other woman.”

Mr Chimbalanga, however, remained defiant. Dressed in a blouse and describing himself as a woman, he said that they became engaged after “my darling, Steven, proposed love to me and we agreed to get married”.

Unlike Mr Monjeza, he refused to accept that he had broken any law. “Which laws? I am a woman, I can do what a woman can do,” he said. “I love Steven for what he is, he doesn’t give me money. In fact, I do everything for him, but love is love.”

But prison is prison. “They beat us up here,” said Mr Chimbalanga. “Why? Why beating us? We have done no wrong. If they say we have broken laws, why not let the courts judge us?”

Reluctant to accept that his relationship was over, he said: “Well, he is the one who proposed to me. I still love him though. Love is between two people, the third one is a spoiler. The police is the spoiler here.”

This is heartbreaking!

I believe in Tiwonge and I hope his strength will keep them together.

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Malawi Couple faces Prison Time

A Malawi couple, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested for trying to get married last weekend.

Today, the couple pleaded "not guilty" in court and was sent back to jail.

Prosecutors say they will send the pair to hospital to prove they have had sex together.

They face three charges of unnatural practices between males and gross indecency.

Mr Monjeza, 26, hinted that he may consider calling off the proposed wedding, as he was sent back to prison.

"I am sad I am going back to Chichiri Prison," he said. "The condition are terrible there. People are exaggerating this thing. I may just as well dissolve this marriage."

Mr Chimbalanga, 20, dressed in women's clothes, refused to speak to journalists, beyond accusing them of writing "stupid" things.

They were arrested on Monday at the home they share.

Malawi is a deeply conservative society but recently a group of campaigners came together to form a gay rights organisation, Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP).

CEDEP's executive director, Gift Trapence, says the laws used to arrest the couple are invalid because they are against the Bill of Rights enshrined in the 1995 constitution.

Correspondents say some voices in government have also started to call for more openness about homosexuality as the authorities try to tackle high rates of HIV/Aids.

If found guilty, they could be locked up for 14 years.

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