Madonna appeals to free gay men

Pop superstar Madonna is urging the citizens of Malawi to back an appeal to free two jailed gay men, branding their incarceration "backward".

A Malawian court yesterday sentenced Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga of 14 years of hard labour in prison because they are homosexual.

Gay icon Madonna, who adopted two of her children, David and Mercy, from the country, is saddened by the court’s decision to imprison the men and is calling for their release, Access Hollywood reported.

"I am shocked and saddened by the decision made today by the Malawian court, which sentenced two innocent men to prison. As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation," Madonna said in a statement.

"Today, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved," she added.

"I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi and around the world to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all," Madonna said.