Representative Anthony Williams Accuses House Leadership of ‘Promoting Homosexuality’‎

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The main chambers of the House of Representatives during the Thursday, October 30, 2025, regular session was a scene of tension when Maryland County Electoral District #2, Representative Anthony Williams was forcibly removed from plenary after accusing the House leadership of deliberately delaying a bill intended to ban harmful cultural practices in Liberia.

‎Representative Williams, visibly angered, confronted House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, claiming the leadership was “promoting homosexuality in the country” by refusing to act on the bill long time submitted by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

‎“It’s a shame that our national leaders are sitting on a bill that seeks to protect the moral and cultural fabric of Liberia,” Representative Williams told legislative reporters. “The delay only promotes practices that are against our culture and traditions,” he stated.

It can be recalled that on Thursday, October 23, 2025, President Joseph N. Boakai introduced a Proposed Law to the House of Representatives to ban harmful cultural traditional practices in Liberia.

According to the Liberian leader, the proposed legislation arises from the national obligation to protect the dignity, rights, and health of all Liberians, particularly women and children, who remain vulnerable to practices that have long undermined their well-being.

President Boakai stated the bill also affirms Liberia's commitments under international treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Maputo Protocol.

The Bill, among other provisions, prohibits female circumcision, child marriage, and other harmful cultural practices, and establishes penalties for violations, provides support and protection services for victims, and mandates robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

However, the Pleebo Sodoken lawmaker said the House leadership’s silence on the Bill for more than week contradicts Liberia’s long standing traditional values, citing what he described as “rising homosexuality activities” across the country.

Representative Williams pointed to the recent split within the United Methodist Church of Liberia after some church leaders expressed support for same-sex marriage.

‎ “We must defend our culture and the values that define us as Liberians,” Williams added. “Allowing these practices is unacceptable and undermines everything our forefathers stood for.”

‎Tensions in the chamber reportedly escalated as Williams continued to challenge the presiding officers, prompting security personnel to remove him from the floor.