Gay community tells Geingob to ‘get his house in order’
Equal Namibia founder Omar van Reenen has accused Namibian media of “actively contributing to hate, violence and discrimination".
Speaking at a press conference last week, the activist called on President Hage Geingob to step in.
According to Van Reenen, the press should take pride in the position they hold on the press freedom ranking, and not "fan the flames of hate".
"Shame on you! You have a responsibility as Africa's most free press to make sure you do not contribute to fanning the flames of hate.
“What about making a headline talking about churches discriminating against the pastor for who they love?" he asked, referring to a Namibian Sun story on a pastor who was suspended for having sex with another man.
"The Namibian House is burning down. President Geingob, your silence is deafening. We need you to pull your house together to protect Namibians from violence and state-sanctioned homophobia," he said.
'Cheap campaign points'
Almost a month after a landmark Supreme Court ruling recognising same-sex marriages solemnised in foreign countries in terms of Namibia’s immigration laws, several political parties and individuals – including former president Sam Nujoma - have publicly condemned the court order.
According to Van Reenen, the LGBTQI+ community have been used for political points in the past, but now political parties are mum on the matter.
"The Popular Democratic Movement and the All People’s Party - in their 2019 manifestos - promised the electorate that they would be champions of LGBTQ rights. Now [they are walking] back on their promise to voters.
“They used the queer community for cheap campaign points and jumped on the bandwagon of opposing same-sex marriage," he said.
Best selves
During the press conference, Sister Namibia editor Ethne Mudge drew attention to the constitution, saying Namibians should study and read it purposefully.
"The constitution is about our best selves and not our current selves. When the Supreme Court said that our future best selves should provide equality for everyone, backlash is expected.”
Speaking at a press conference last week, the activist called on President Hage Geingob to step in.
According to Van Reenen, the press should take pride in the position they hold on the press freedom ranking, and not "fan the flames of hate".
"Shame on you! You have a responsibility as Africa's most free press to make sure you do not contribute to fanning the flames of hate.
“What about making a headline talking about churches discriminating against the pastor for who they love?" he asked, referring to a Namibian Sun story on a pastor who was suspended for having sex with another man.
"The Namibian House is burning down. President Geingob, your silence is deafening. We need you to pull your house together to protect Namibians from violence and state-sanctioned homophobia," he said.
'Cheap campaign points'
Almost a month after a landmark Supreme Court ruling recognising same-sex marriages solemnised in foreign countries in terms of Namibia’s immigration laws, several political parties and individuals – including former president Sam Nujoma - have publicly condemned the court order.
According to Van Reenen, the LGBTQI+ community have been used for political points in the past, but now political parties are mum on the matter.
"The Popular Democratic Movement and the All People’s Party - in their 2019 manifestos - promised the electorate that they would be champions of LGBTQ rights. Now [they are walking] back on their promise to voters.
“They used the queer community for cheap campaign points and jumped on the bandwagon of opposing same-sex marriage," he said.
Best selves
During the press conference, Sister Namibia editor Ethne Mudge drew attention to the constitution, saying Namibians should study and read it purposefully.
"The constitution is about our best selves and not our current selves. When the Supreme Court said that our future best selves should provide equality for everyone, backlash is expected.”
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