Are African Nations in Anti-Gay Competitions?

So we’ve all heard about Uganda, and chances are you’ve also hear about the young gay couple who decided to be the first to “marry” in the African nation of Malawi (where homosexuality is against the law) and are now awaiting trial.

Much like Uganda, Malawi’s supporters of anti-gay legislation appear to be immune to possible economic sanctions from foreign nations.  However unlike Uganda, the South African republic of Malawi doesn’t have the opportunistic view of recognizing monies from oil production which appear to be a driving force behind Uganda’s anti-gay stance.

According to various sources, Malawi does not have any known oil or gas reserves (upstream oil) and its downstream oil industry is completely dependent on refined oil products which are imported from its neighboring African nations.

In general, Malawi has an extremely narrow economic base.  The country is not host to large industry or mining and has very few economically viable commodities such as gemstones or precious metals.  The swiftly rising population and lack of housing has also placed a large burden on the nation’s economy.

Despite Malawi’s major economic downfalls, and unlike Uganda’s “promised land of Oil riches”, the small, and poor African nation seems intent on ignoring warnings from economically contributing nations to end their oppression against its LGBT citizens.

According to WGME:

The government of Malawi is making no apologies for its laws that criminalize homosexual acts. And it says it isn’t swayed by international criticism of the trial of a gay couple on felony charges for which they could be jailed for up to 14 years.

Malawi’s information minister says the two men were “clearly breaking the laws of Malawi.”

The criticism comes from an international community that provides funding for 40 percent of Malawi’s budget.

Amnesty International has called for the couple’s immediate release. More than 20 members of the Scottish parliament have called on their government to review its development aid package for Malawi.

A verdict is expected next month.

So what is the deciding factor in Malawi?  Is it strictly religion, or is there perhaps an unrevealed economic advantage to maintaining the criminalization of homosexuality?  Will economic support from outside anti-gay forces overshadow the pleas from other nations to end homophobia and the criminalization of its LGBT citizens? Is this simply a non-economic power struggle?  Is it a competition of discrimination between Malawi and Uganda?  Perhaps only time will tell, but I would be willing to throw it out that there is perhaps some undisclosed funding by outside anti-gay forces keeping Malawi’s anti-gay government officials…anti-gay.  Money can’t buy love, but it can buy hate.

Gay Police to March in Scotland for First Time

From DeadlineScotland:

GAY POLICE will be marching in their uniform for the first time in Scotland when they join the gay pride march in Edinburgh tomorrow.

Seventy members of the Gay Police Association from around the UK will be taking part after getting permission from their chief constable.

Thousands of people are expected to start their march down the Royal Mile at 1pm after hearing speeches from a number of invited guests.

And the historic decision comes exactly 40 years after the Stonewall riots in New York, where a police crackdown at the Stonewall Inn sparked three nights of battles in the streets of Greenwich Village.

Tutu Backs LGBT Inclusion in Church

After the appointment of a gay minister in Aberdeen, the Church of Scotland agreed a two-year moratorium on the ordination of gay ministers. Shortly thereafter, addressing the Kirk’s General Assembly in Edinburgh, South Africa’s Archbishop, Desmond Tutu has announced his support for including LGBT citizens in the church.

Aside from advocating for the inclusion of all people in the church, Tutu also asked for an end to poverty, questioning how so many billions of dollars could be spent on weapons when a small fraction of defense would enable countries to feed the hungry.

Tutu received a standing ovation after speaking, then departed for Edinburgh University where he was awarded an honorary degree.