Gay Malawi Introduction: Despite it’s low profile on the world stage, the small southern African territory called Malawi contains a wondrous variety of scenery, tribal traditions, modern innovation and a nascent and determined gay organization focused around health education and human rights. Within this conservative homophobic culture LGB citizens have found effective ways of survival.
Malawi was colonized by the British who ruled the country until 1964. Upon gaining independence it became a single-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained president until 1994 when he was ousted from power. Bingu Mutharika, elected in 2004, is the current president, and as of 2008, Malawi has a democratic, multi-party government. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labor force and government expenditures. Homosexual acts are illegal in Malawi. Section 153 prohibits “unnatural offences”. Section 156 concerning “public decency” is used to punish homosexual acts. Tourists who commit acts of homosexuality with locals can be prosecuted under article 156 and expelled as “undesirable aliens”.
Name: Malawi
Population: 10925000
Capital: Lilongwe - Pop. 587000
Area: 118484 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: English, Chichewa
Religion: Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal
Telephone Country Code: 265