calls for Legalization of Samesex Marriage in Liberia
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia May 9, 2016
A Liberian Youth Activist Zekar
Lafayette Payweyne II President of Action Oriented Minds (AOM) has categorically condemned the proposed law which calls for a penalty of up to five years in prison for anyone found guilty of engaging into samesex practices or supporting the act. The proposed law has already been passed by the Liberian Senate and is currently before the House of Representatives. This proposed law is a violation of 1986 Constitution of Liberia Article 11 b) which states that: All persons, irrespective of ethnic background, race, sex, creed, place of origin or political opinion, are entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, subject to such qualifications as provided for in this Constitution and Article 13 a) Every person lawfully within the Republic shall have the right to move freely throughout Liberia, to reside in any part thereof and to leave therefrom subject however to the safeguarding of public security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others. These were the words of Zekar in a phone interview with Voice Fm. He further stated in my opinion it is no crime to be a samesex couple and any law criminalizing such practices is unnecessary. He further explained that Liberia was founded to provide Freedom for all people hence the Motto: the love of Liberty brought us here. He expressed his disappointment with the Liberian Senate for passing the bill and called on the House of Representative to trash the proposed legislation.
I am also appealing to the conscience of our lawmakers to decriminalize samesex
marriage in Liberia he stated in the climax of the interview. Zekar is one of the Chief proponents of a proposed legislation to legalize samesex marriage in Liberia. Following the broadcast of the interview, many people especially youths have criticized and expressed their dismay over His comments. According to Youth Leader Peter Goi (also a resident of Barnersville Township with Payweyne) he is disappointed at such statements. Anyone who support gay marriage should not and will not be welcomed in our community. They want to spoil the future of our country. I am hearing that he is out of the country but if it is true then he should remain there because he wont be welcomed back into our community. As he spoke you could see the anger in his expression. Other called for Him to be arrested upon His return. A young man claiming to be a former classmate of Payweyne (refusing to be named) said Zekar is a hypocrite, we will deal with him when we see him, these are the people spoiling our image. Currently, Chapter 14 Section 14.74 of the Penal Law of Liberia criminalizes voluntary sodomy (samesex practices) and is consider a first degree misdemeanor. The proposed legislation seeks to make not just the practice but also its support a second degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. President Sirleaf has notably supported this legislation. The Speaker of the House of Representative Alex Tyler is also another prominent Government Official to publicly condemn gay marriage and practices and has promised to support the legislation. It can be recalled that in 2012 the house of gay rights activist Archie Ponpons mother was burned and he went into hidden after calling for the legalization of gay marriage in Liberia. His whereabouts are unknown till now. Zekar currently residing in the USA has been noted in the past for his anti-violence advocacy especially during the 2011 Liberian Elections when He gain prominence. - Alex K. Boley
The Florida National Bank of Jacksonville, Florida, and Herbert T. Ballard, JR., As Co-Executors of The Estate of Herbert T. Ballard, Deceased v. United States, 336 F.2d 598, 3rd Cir. (1964)