‘She does not back down’: the couple seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in Botswana
Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are going to court for right to wed but face fierce opposition from church groups
TL;DR
- Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are suing Botswana's government to legalize same-sex marriage.
- They argue that the Interpretation Act supports their case by stating that words importing the male sex include the female sex and vice versa.
- The government, traditional groups like the Dingwetsi Association, and Christian organizations oppose the legalization, citing the Marriage Act and cultural/religious beliefs.
- Botswana decriminalized same-sex relations in 2019, but marriage between same-sex couples remains illegal.
- A successful legal challenge would make Botswana the second African country to legalize same-sex marriage after South Africa.
- Public opinion in Botswana regarding LGBTQ+ people has shown a slight decline in neighborly acceptance since 2019.
- LGBTQ+ rights groups like Legabibo are campaigning for acceptance with initiatives like 'Lorato Ke Lorato' (Love Is Love).
- Personal stories from other LGBTQ+ individuals highlight the difficulties caused by the lack of legal recognition for same-sex relationships, including issues with immigration and marriage.