White House hopes Malawi’s pardon for gay couple marks new day for gay rights around the world

White House applauds Malawi pardon for gay couple

CHICAGO — The White House hopes it’s a new day for gay rights in the African nation of Malawi and around the world.

Presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs says the White House was pleased to learn that Malawi’s president on Saturday pardoned a gay couple sentenced to 14 years in prison because of their sexual orientation.

Gibbs says in a statement that the men aren’t criminals and that their struggle isn’t unique. The statement urges an end to what it calls “the persecution and criminalization” of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Malawi has faced international condemnation for the conviction and harsh sentencing. Malawi’s president says he granted the pardon based on “humanitarian grounds only,” but homosexuality remains illegal.