July 23, 2012 | Sex & Society

Liberia criminalizes same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage in the small African country of Liberia is not recognized, but that didn't stop the country's Senate from passing a law that would actually criminalize the act.

The Senate declared that if two gay people were caught getting married, they would be guilty of a second degree felony. The punishment ranges from fines to actual prison time.

Senator Jewel Taylor (pictured), ex-wife of former President Charles Taylor, sponsored the bill. Her husband is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“There are people who are homosexual that continue to do whatever they want to do,” Senator Jewel Taylor said. “My bill seeks to ensure that people of the same sex under our law should not be allowed to get married.”

The legislation is expected to pass in House of Representatives. However, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has previously said she would not sign any bills relating to the subject of homosexuality.

Let's hope she's a woman of her word.

Liberian Senate moves to criminalize same-sex marriage [Gay Star News]