Buggery

It is not an uncommon sight in Malawi—two men walking down the street hand-in-hand. (Women are usually too burdened to have a free hand.) The men may be chatting away or quietly enjoying each other’s company. No one notices. It is the way of friends.

It is uncommon in Malawi for two men to announce that they are being married to each other. So last Christmas, when a pair of male lovers did just that, the nation went into shock. Homosexual practice is against the law in Malawi. In May, after their trial for “buggery”, the unhappy couple was sentenced to 14 years in prison (presumably not in the same cell).

The politicians were pleased. The traditional leaders were pleased (although it was suggested that a 20 year sentence would have been better). Even the church leaders were pleased.

But not everyone was pleased. Some donor nations expressed outrage and even threatened to cut off aid to Malawi. These outside agitators were quickly told to mind their own business. Nevertheless, “multi-lingual” money talks in almost every tongue. In short order, the Malawi president soon pardoned the offenders.

Homosexual practice is still against the law in Malawi. (Although homosexuals here do not face the threat of a death penalty as they might in some other countries.) Given the strong feelings of righteous condemnation, an amazingly open public discussion is still taking place through the Malawi print media. And although this “first couple” has since broken up with one partner “going straight,” two men walking down the street hand-in-hand is still not an uncommon sight.