Gay people are still persecuted by law in more than 30 African countries. In Sudan and Somalia, their love is punishable by death
can land you in prison for a year. In Zambia “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” could mean seven or more years behind bars. Uganda passed a law in 2013 punishing gay acts with life imprisonment, though a court later struck it down.
Botswana’s high court decided that such laws “deserve a place in the museum or archives and not in the world”. Judge Michael Leburu, who read out a unanimous verdict when the court struck down the country’s ban on gay sex, said: “It is not the business of the law to regulate private consensual sexual encounters.” This ruling follows the unbanning of gay sex in Angola in January and in Mozambique in 2015. So far, South Africa is the only sub-Saharan country that allows gay marriage.
Anti-gay laws also reinforce a culture of intolerance in many countries. In May religious conservatives rejoiced when Kenya’s High Court upheld a law that criminalises gay sex. Judges found that it did not violate a constitutional guarantee of freedom from discrimination, though it plainly discriminates against gay people.
Botswana is a conservative place, too. Hereditary chiefs advise parliament, rather like hereditary lords do in Britain. But views about gay people are evolving. Discriminating against them at work has been illegal since 2010—despite the ban on their bedroom activities. And younger people in Botswana are more tolerant than their elders. Some 76% of 50-64-year-olds would object to a gay neighbour; only 48% of 18-29-year-olds would.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ecuador's highest court legalizes same-sex marriageEcuador's highest court has ruled to recognize same-sex marriage, marking a watershed moment for LGBTQ rights in the Catholic-majority country.
Read more »
The No. 1 reason adults support legalizing marijuana (it’s not to get high)Top reasons cited for potential cannabis consumption: 4. Mental-health 3. Treatment of minor injuries 2. Sleep aid And the No. 1 reason... (it's not to get high...)
Read more »
Maine becomes 10th jurisdiction to legalize medically assisted suicideMaine is now the latest state to allow medically assisted suicide, and advocates believe that there are many more states to come.
Read more »
Maine becomes 8th state to legalize assisted suicideMaine's bill would allow doctors to prescribe terminally ill people a fatal dose of medication.
Read more »
Cruz wants to join AOC to legalize over-the-counter birth controlFor the second time in two weeks, the ideologically distant lawmakers have agreed on an issue.
Read more »
Andy Cohen Makes Impassioned Pitch to Legalize Paid Surrogacy in New YorkAndy Cohen might have a future in politics; he says so himself!!!
Read more »