The sodomy laws made their way into the country in 1964 though the enactment of the present penal code, which has since undergone several amendments. However, with the evolution of human rights advocacy and the ever changing laws in relation to human existence, the stroke of luck for the homosexual community was long overdue.
Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane and Justice Michael Leburu made sure that the ever changing laws and evolution of human rights were even felt on the shores of Botswana. Both Justices have on different occasions set precedents in championing the rights of the gay community. Back in 2014 Rannowane was the first to forge a way for the LGBTQI community when he ordered the government to register an organisation for homosexuals and sexual minority group. In a landmark judgment Rannowane declared that the 20 applicants were entitled to assemble and associate under the name and style of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO). Rannowane also declared that the applicants were entitled to have the group LEGABIBO registered as a society. "In a democratic society such as ours, freedom of association, assembly and expression are important values duly protected by our Constitution. The enjoyment of such rights can only be limited where such limitation is reasonably justified in a democracy.
