In a landmark ruling, South Korea’s Supreme Court has legalized gay marriages, granting same-sex couples the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples.
The decision comes just a month after Malawi’s High Court dismissed a bid to legalize same-sex relationships, upholding provisions that criminalize homosexuality.
South Korea’s ruling is seen as a major victory for human rights groups, who have long advocated for equality and inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.
“This is a historic victory for equality and human rights in South Korea,” said Amnesty International in a statement.
Thursday’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed.
Meanwhile, in Malawi, human rights activists continue to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Recently, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Executive Director, Michael Kaiyatsa, vowed to continue fighting for the rights of minorities, including gays and lesbians.
“Gays and lesbians are human beings too,” Kaiyatsa emphasized, stressing the need for equal access to essential services like healthcare and education.
He noted that discrimination persists among minorities due to social and cultural environments, leading to marginalization and struggles to access basic services.
Kaiyatsa urged societal acceptance of diversity, emphasizing that all citizens should have equal access to services regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic.
“Our focus is not on the religious, but on those who are struggling,” he said, vowing to continue fighting for human rights. “We fight for people’s rights, not animals.”
However, the opposition to gay rights in Malawi remains strong, with groups like the Malawi Council of Churches and the Muslim Association of Malawi continuing to lobby against any attempts to decriminalize homosexuality, citing religious and cultural beliefs.
