Yup: “[Namibia’s southeastern city] Keetmanshoop’s first ever march to raise awareness of gay and lesbian rights will take place on Saturday. About 40 people are expected to take part in the event supported by Czech Republic NGO People in Need (PiN). In a press statement issued yesterday, PiN Sexual Minorities Co-ordinator Jacobus Witbooi said the march would also mark the inauguration of a new project for sexual minorities known as Ada Ma /Hao, meaning ‘Let’s Stand Together’. Witbooi said the project advocates equal rights and opportunities for gender minorities in southern Namibia. According to Witbooi, the project would focus on enhancing empowerment of marginalised sexual minorities in areas of human rights and HIV-AIDS.” Worth mentioning: The gay sex is still illegal in Namibia.
A Gay Pride Parade In … Namibia?
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Hmmm
That is inspiring. Gay people in most African countries are subject to so much hatred and discrimination. This really showcases courage.
Drew
I am from Namibia and it is really hard to live in a country where homosexuality aren’t even recognized by the Government. It is seen as cultural thing that was brought to africa by the europeans.
hephaestion
Homophobia is what the Europeans brought to Africa, not homosexuality. Before the anti-gay Christians arrived, gays were an integral part of every African community.
CitizenGeek
@hephaestion: Sorry, blaming Europe (no part of which is anywhere near as homophobic as most of Africa) for Africa’s appalling human rights in relation to gays record isn’t going to cut. Homophobia is inexcusable.
Drew
Would like to add that it is seen as a white thang!
Thom
@CitizenGeek:
Christian Europeans did bring most of these beliefs to the lands they colonized. Europe today may be much less homophobic but its legacy lives on.
Drew
@Thom: And therefore gays have to be persecuted and discriminated against! Grow the fuck up and come live here….
Thom
@Drew:
what the hell are you talking about? That post makes no sense
RainaWeather
@Thom: I agree. It’s from religion of course. The vast majority of homophobia comes from Christianity, and Europeans brought that religion to most people. Despite technically coming from Africa/Asia, that religion became popular in Rome and spread from there. Hence (Roman) Catholicism. Not that think people aren’t to blame for homophobia, but history shouldn’t be ignored just because it makes people uncomfortable.
fern
I think people are more comfortable blaming everything on European culture than admitting that other peoples’ have and had their own internal issues with discrimation, etc. For example, I’ve had the argument put to me that female genital mutilation, which is rampant accross Africa, persists only because of a need to hold on to any cultural form in the face of Western influence. While I’m sure this is a factor, it still doesn’t explain the the origin of FGM or why it existed thousands of years prior to European/African contact.