Malawi Gay Couple Pardoned

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have been pardoned by Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika.  They had been sentenced to 14 years hard labor for "gross indencency and unnatural acts" for holding a wedding ceremony.  Clearly bowing to international pressure, President Mutharika issued this statement after meeting with UN chief Ban Ki-moon: 

"These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion and our laws," however, as the head of state I hereby pardon them and therefore ask for their immediate release with no conditions."

According to the BBC, Mr. Ban is also putting pressure on the Malawi parliament to reform its archaic anti-gay laws.

This is great news and demonstrates that even the most virulently anti-gay governments will respond to international pressure.  My hope is that Monjeza and Chimbalanga are able to get the hell out of that country ASAP.