Text of Liberia’s Bill to Make Homosexuality a First Degree Felony

This morning I received the text of the proposed amendment concerning homosexuality from Jarlawah Tonpo, Director of Press and Public Affairs of the Liberia Senate. Offered by former First Lady, Sen. Jewel Taylor, the amendment has not yet been debated and is not law. No date has been set for debate or vote. Both Houses of the legislature would need to pass the bill to send to the President for signature or veto. I wrote about this bill and a companion bill in their House last week.

As far as I can determine, in Liberia penalties for a First Degree Felony can range from 10 years in prison to death. The amendment is short and without definitions.

SENATOR TAYLOR’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT

TO THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAW OF LIBERIA

LAW AS CURRENTLY STATED

DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAW

Sub section 2.3 who may not marry

“No marriage shall be contracted between persons, one or both of whom has a spouse still living; not

between an ancestor and a descendant, a brother and sister of either the whole or the half blood, an uncle and niece or an aunt and nephew, or first cousins; or of persons of the same sex.

AMENDMENT

To Amend and restate Section 2.3 of the Domestic Relations Law to provide for the prohibition of same sex marriages in Liberia.

It is enacted by the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, in Legislature assembled:

Section 1:

That from and immediately after the passage of this Act. Section 2.3 of the Domestic Relations Law is hereby amended and restated as follow:

This prohibition shall apply whether the prescribe relatives are legitimate or illegitimate. No one shall  give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any one which represents a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of the Republic.

Section 2:

No two persons of the same sex shall have sexual relations. A violation of this prohibition will be considered a first degree felony.

This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication into Handbills.

ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING

10 thoughts on “Text of Liberia’s Bill to Make Homosexuality a First Degree Felony”

  1. Hon Taylor is misunderstands the that there is a difference when it comes Gay rights and the institution of marriage as defined by the constitution. I believe that Gol have the right to define marriage as institution; but has no right to determine how an individual can choose to express his or her feelings.

    I would suggest to Hon . Taylor see that there is a difference in Gay rights and the institution of marriage. Gay bashing is human rights violation and as such GOL; should protect all of its citizens irrespective of creed, religion, politics, tribal and/ or social affiliations.

    Let me suggest to Hon. Taylor that we should pass a Gay Rights law wherein a safeguard of traditional marriage is enacted. We can not allow our legislators to legislate based on fears and personal idiosyncrasies. Separation of state and church is the hallmark of our democracy.

  2. Hon Taylor is misunderstands the that there is a difference when it comes Gay rights and the institution of marriage as defined by the constitution. I believe that Gol have the right to define marriage as institution; but has no right to determine how an individual can choose to express his or her feelings.

    I would suggest to Hon . Taylor see that there is a difference in Gay rights and the institution of marriage. Gay bashing is human rights violation and as such GOL; should protect all of its citizens irrespective of creed, religion, politics, tribal and/ or social affiliations.

    Let me suggest to Hon. Taylor that we should pass a Gay Rights law wherein a safeguard of traditional marriage is enacted. We can not allow our legislators to legislate based on fears and personal idiosyncrasies. Separation of state and church is the hallmark of our democracy.

  3. This is probably a kind of ‘attempted coup’ by the ‘Taylor clan’, and may be why other Liberian politicians are not jumping on the bandwagon. That fact that it was Taylor, and not someone else, who proposed this is probably a good thing, as many Liberian politicians will see it for what it is and make sure it goes nowhere.

  4. Sen. Jewel Taylor is perhaps running down the same path toward international rejection/revultion as her husband has already achieved…I think she longs to share a jail cell with the murderous thug and share a little more marital, of the heterosexual variety, sexual bliss and therefore champions ¨crimes of injustice and general abuse)…thus endeth her ignorant desire for the punishment of ¨same sex¨ couples who love one another and harm no one…the lady is smudged with blood of a tyrant and it has rubbed off.

  5. This is probably a kind of ‘attempted coup’ by the ‘Taylor clan’, and may be why other Liberian politicians are not jumping on the bandwagon. That fact that it was Taylor, and not someone else, who proposed this is probably a good thing, as many Liberian politicians will see it for what it is and make sure it goes nowhere.

  6. Sen. Jewel Taylor is perhaps running down the same path toward international rejection/revultion as her husband has already achieved…I think she longs to share a jail cell with the murderous thug and share a little more marital, of the heterosexual variety, sexual bliss and therefore champions ¨crimes of injustice and general abuse)…thus endeth her ignorant desire for the punishment of ¨same sex¨ couples who love one another and harm no one…the lady is smudged with blood of a tyrant and it has rubbed off.

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