Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were released from prison over the weekend, after being pardoned last week by President Bingu wa Muthrik of Malawi following a hail of international criticism of the couple’s conviction for “gross indecency and unnatural acts”. Monjeza and Chimbalanga have been sent back to their respective hometowns, and their families are vowing to keep the couple separated. Chimbalanga, who identifies as transgender, told the New York Times through an interpreter that “I still want to marry Steven. But I don’t know what he’s thinking any more. We’ve been through so much.”

She added, “I think it’s going to be hard to stay in Malawi. I am afraid of what people might do to us. We probably need to seek asylum in some other country. Is there a place for us? I don’t know.”

Elsewhere…

D.C. – What DADT camp do you fall in to? John Aravosis puts in his two cents: “Is it sufficient in terms of does it give us enough to work with so that we can still get DADT repealed next year? The answer is yes. But it will take a hell of a lot of work to make it happen.” (Pam’s House Blend, AmericaBlog)

D.C. – Tammy Baldwin would be getting a divorce right now if she could. She and her partner of 15 years are settling for separation instead.. (The Washington Blade)

D.C. – Is Mary Cheney, the nation’s highest-profile lesbian mother, helping a GOP gubernatorial candidate in Florida who led the charge on banning adoption by same-gender couples? (The Advocate)

D.C., Illinois – Another victory for safe sex: International Mr. Leather bans vendors selling barebacking porn. Meanwhile, former bareback porn star Brett Corrigan is out with another (silly, NSFW) safe-sex PSA. (The Advocate, DC Fuk!t)

South Carolina – Newly-released documents show that the late Sen. Jesse Helms (R-SC) repeatedly tried to get the FBI to pay attention to the national security threat posed by LGBT rights activists and non-smokers. (Towleroad)

Arizona – The Human Rights Campaign joins with marchers protesting Arizona’s new anti-immigration laws. (AmericaBlog)

UK – Andrew Sullivan breaks down why the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury resigned because of homophobia, not because he used his parliamentary rent stipend to pay his partner for their London apartment. (The Daily Dish)

Russia – A 30-person flash mob staged the closest thing you can get to a Pride Parade in Moscow. (Towleroad)