There's Nothing Gay About 'Gays' - Miss Botswana 2009

"It is unnatural act...God made us men and women... It is only proper for men to have relationships with women as God created us," she said to a loud roar of approval from hundreds of the beauty pageant's fans who thronged the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) to witness the 2009 Miss Botswana finals on Saturday night.

The Miss Botswana queen went on to win herself a brand new top of the range Mercedes Benz car worth P300,000, as well as a bracelet worth US$ 700 from US rap mogul, Russell Simmons and a P50,000 bursary for academic programme of her choice. She was later in the night flown around Gaborone city in a special chopper branded Miss Botswana 2009.

The new Miss Botswana queen's condemnation of gay relationships comes at a time when members of a gay organisation in Botswana want legalisation of 'gay' relationships. Prisca Mogapi and Caine Youngman, both gay and also members of the proscribed gay organisation, Gays and Bi-sexual of Botswana Organisation (LEGABIBO), are contesting what they believe to be a discriminatory section of the Laws of Botswana, section 164 of the Penal Code, which does not recognise same sex relationships.

According to information passed to the Sila Press Agency (SPA), the notice to sue was filed recently, and has been supported by a Botswana HIV advocacy body, Botswana Network of ethics, law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA). Attorney, Duma Boko, who in the past represented the marginalised Bushmen when they were relocated from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) by the government, has volunteered to assist the gays.

In 2003, the Botswana Court of Appeal ruled that Botswana was not yet ready for homosexuality. LEGABIBO was refused registration two years ago.