Outrage Over 14 Years for ‘Guilty’ Gay Couple

Here's the lede, as reported by Dana Hughes today on ABCNews.com: A gay couple in Malawi has been sentenced by a judge to 14 years of hard labor, the maximum sentence, for committing unnatural acts and gross decency. The two men, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, both in their 20s, were found guilty earlier this week. They have been imprisoned since a December arrest following their attempt to hold an engagement ceremony. The judge said he wanted to "protect" the public from their "horrendous" example. The two men are expected to appeal — and several local and international humans rights groups will be lining up to help them. Outrage among some countries may provoke a pullback of aide provided to Malawi, one of at least 37 Sub-Saharan African nations with "anti-homosexuality" laws. Embedded below is a March report from Dan Harris about Uganda, a country considering a proposal that would make homosexuality punishable by death. Will follow the case and update as necessary. Read previous blog on the topic here.