Day against homophobia

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) human rights based organisation, Out-Right has called for tolerance, respect and humanity as the local Gay community observes the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia this week Friday.
According to the director of Out-Right Namibia Linda Baumann, the organisation is using the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia to reflect, together with all Namibians, the  meaning of full citizenship irrespective of a different sexual orientation or gender identity . “It calls for the decriminalisation of consensual sex between adult males and protective legislation for LGBT persons in all sectors of public life including education and employment. Homophobia and transphobia are prevalent in our society and experienced by LGBT people on a daily basis in the communities where they live. Recent homophobic rants by SPYL’s leadership at press conferences and national television is an apt example of irresponsible behaviour that translates in crimes against LGBT communities in the country,” said Baumann
She said Out-Right Namibia calls partners and allies to continue to uphold and materialize the constitutional guarantee of basic human rights, civil liberties and freedoms as entrenched in the Constitution. “The rights to privacy, dignity and equality before the law remain relevant for those with a different sexual orientation and gender identity than the mainstream, especially in a political context where their innate human nature is feared as a western tactic for re- colonisation of African values and morals.” she said.
She further said that Out-Right Namibia continues to advocate for a more enabling legal, social and economic environment for all LGBT persons and would therefore like to remind duty bearers to consider the review of current archaic and Victorian sodomy laws inherited by Namibia at its independence from South African. These laws single out and prohibit consensual sex between adult males but remain unenforceable and are obsolete.