This weekend in New York hundreds of couples got married. For the first time in their (sometimes very long) relationships, they were able to commit to one another in public and be legally married. If you need any more convincing of what a wonderful, happiness-inducing state of affairs this was, then check out these 60 incredible portraits of some of those who tied the knot.
These people are so freaking happy and what more can we do but be happy for them, celebrate their joy and their victory.
But next door to us, in countries like ours, people like us are prevented from having that celebration. If you check out LGBT rights by country in Africa, you’ll find that things are pretty dire. In the following countries homosexuality is illegal and there is a specific law to deal with its illegality:
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Ghana (illegal for men, legal for women)
- Liberia
- Mauritania
- Nigeria (illegal for men everywhere, legal for women in areas not governed by Sharia)
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Zimbabwe (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Botswana
- Lesotho (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Namibia
- Swaziland ((illegal for males, legal for females)
- Cameroon
- Sao Tome and Pricipe
- Burundi (only since 2009!!)
- Comoros
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Kenya (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Malawi (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Mauritius (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Seychelles (illegal for males, legal for females)
- Somalia
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Zambia (illegal for males, legal for females)
Even only partially recognised states like Western Sahara and Somaliland have legislation against homosexuality.
We are living in times that are so bent on control that they feel a need to restrict who we love. You and I know that when you love someone, there is not much than convince you that you can stop. Love goes beyond the power of law, and beyond the power of dictators, oppressors and fools.
So this is just a little note to love, and to all those who are not legally allowed to love who they want to – Keep at it. Your love is bigger than their hate. Your love is bigger than their fear. Your love is unstoppable.
Author
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