Hawa Dolley, Fanta L. Keita & Michlyne N. Williams
MONROVIA, Jan. 9 (LINA) – The Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) has called on the National Legislature to speedily pass the Anti-Gay Bill which is currently before it so as to condemn same-sex practices to the dustbin and make it a criminal offense and first-degree felony.
Speaking to the Liberia News Agency (LINA) in Monrovia on Tuesday, LINSU President Mohammed Kamara opined that same-sex marriage should be a non-billable offense under Liberian law.
Kamara said, the ancestors of Liberia in their wisdom enshrined in the laws that marriage should exist between a male and female, knowing that genuine marriage is only acceptable between people of the opposite sex.
« They understood quite well that certain natural alterations like same sex marriage cannot be given endorsement as it has the propensity to destroy the future and lives of many, especially youths, » Kamara explained.
He pointed out that LINSU and its Executives support the Bill, which is currently before the legislature and is being sponsored by Lofa County Representative Clarence Massaquoi.
« We as national student leaders want to add our voices and condemn acts of homosexuality and lesbianism in the country; we call on the Liberia Council of Churches, the National Muslim Council and all students to stand against same-sex relations, » Kamara indicated.
He stated that Liberia was built on religious principles and inherited a shared African tradition which, according to him, stands strong against « degenerate acts and excesses of foreign civilization. »
« We cannot bow to derail and submerge our African heritage in the name of promoting globalization and cultural diffusion, » he added.
It can be recalled that Lofa County Representative Clarence Massaquoi recently sponsored a Bill that seeks to make same-sex marriage a criminal offense in Liberia.
The proposed law is an Act to amend the new Penal Code Chapter 14, Sub-chapter D and to add a New Section 14.80, making same-sex practices a criminal offense.
The proposed law, according to its proponent, is also intended to preserve the African culture.
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