MADONNA CONDEMNS SENTENCING OF GAY COUPLE IN MALAWI

The White House has condemed the sentencing of two gay men in Malawi to 14 years in prison with hard labor for "gross indecency" and "unnatural acts" for having an engagement ceremony in late December. MORE IMPORTANTLY, Madonna has joined in that condemnation. Madonna has been working in Malawi for a number of years, and both of her adopted children are from the country. Up until now, Madonna has not spoken out about this injustice, but her silence is broken. She made this statement:

"I am shocked and saddened by the decision made today 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. Today, 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."

Well put. Madonna has been a champion for gay rights since the beginning of her career and has credited the gay community for her rise to fame on many occasions. Her support on this issue is of importance, not just because she is the Queen of Everything, but because of her work with the children in Malawi and with the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The White House released a statement through Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

"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."[source][image]