MOZAMBIQUE OFFICIALLY MAKES GAY SEX LEGAL

Gay sex was officially made legal in Mozambique on 29th June 2015.

The southern African nation has officially been added to the list of countries with no law against same-sex relations, 180 days after the government agreed to the revised Penal Code.

Legislators specifically revised the penal code that allowed 'security measures' to be taken against people 'who habitually engage in vices against nature'.

This was used to discriminate against and prosecute LGBTI people that could have sent them to a workhouse for up to three years.

A hangover from when it was colonized for the Portguese, the law was rarely enforced and it was considered by many to be a meaningless clause in the statute books.

Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique has said: 'The new Penal Code sweeps away a great deal of the musty colonial legacy, including the mention of "vices against nature".

'Now not even the most contorted of arguments could claim that acts of gay sex between consenting adults are somehow illegal.'

Lambda, the country's LGBTI rights group, has pushed for the government to fully recognize same-sex relationships. While gay sex may be legal come the end of June, this does not mean LGBTI people are guaranteed equality.

They said: 'Our primary interest is to precipitate a change in society so that it becomes more favourable to the free expression of sexual orientation and gender identity.'

'The silence of the Mozambican state legitimizes discrimination and strengthens the stigma to which LGBT people are subject in the communities, workplaces, schools, etc,' the group added.

'Above all, it perpetuates the idea that LGBTI citizens are less important than all other Mozambicans, thus placing them in a situation of inferiority, disadvantage and inequality'.

SOURCE: GAY STAR NEWS