Metro Weekly

Malawi gay/trans couple beaten in jail, breaking up after public marriage ceremony?

”I love the way he talked, the way he loved me…. 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…. We are not supposed to be here. You don’t arrest someone because he loves someone.”

Steven Monjeza, 22, who married, Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, last weekend in a public ceremony witnessed by hundreds in the African nation of Malawi. They pair was soon arrested on charges of “gross public indecency” since homosexuality is illegal in that country and many other African nations. Chimbalanga apparently dresses in female attire and in this article says the couple have not broken any laws because, “I am a woman, I can do what a woman can do.” (Times Online)

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