Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, has witnessed protests opposing legislation that would legalize same-sex relationships.
The Botswana High Court found in 2019 that same-sex relationship jail penalties are unconstitutional, siding with activists who sought their repeal.
The administration attempted to overturn the decision but failed in their appeal in 2021.
We are shouting no to this monstrosity, no, one demonstrator said. It is sinful. It is a Christian nation, Botswana.
Another person gave her justifications for leading the march.
The family is the strongest unit in our society, which not only lowers infant mortality but also strengthens the family and aids in a child’s development of moral values and adherence to the law.
The head of the umbrella organization for Pentecostal and Evangelical churches in Botswana, Pulafela Siele, argued the measure should be scrapped.
“Now, following the decision that the two penal code articles must be eliminated, we are well aware that this would result in the legalization of homosexuality. Our view is that it is a law that is not going to benefit us as a nation,” the speaker said.
“Well, this is what Christians believe should happen and Christians clearly do not agree with this,” said lawmaker Wynter Mmolotsi. They are consequently providing us with guidelines for how to discuss the legislation.
They are dictating to us what God commanded, thus those are the dictates, in my opinion.
The demonstration coincides with broader opposition to LGBTQ rights in southern Africa.
In Malawi, thousands of people demonstrated last week in support of a constitutional court lawsuit that would overturn the nation’s prohibition on same-sex unions.
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