Zorena Jantze
THE British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, has voiced concern on the continued impact of legal, social and economic discrimination against minority groups such as the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTQ), stating that while the Namibian Constitution recognizes equality for all, it doesn’t practice what it implies.
Moore made these remarks at a round table event organized by the Diversity Alliance of Namibia which discussed the summary of obsolete laws handed into the Law Reform and Development Commission.
The alliance zeroed in on the repeal of the common law offences of sodomy and the natural offences laws as well as the impact of the legal environment on minority groups.
Moore shared that the LGBTQ debate is not about changing minds, opinions, cultures or religion but is about equality.
“It’s the same as the debate for disability rights, making sure that disabled people have the same opportunities as able-bodied people, ensuring that they are not discriminated against for being disabled. In the same way, nobody should be discriminated against for being gay, lesbian, queer, transgender, non-binary or any other category of sexual orientation,” Moore shared.
The event was also attended by the coordinator for trans rights, Jholerina Timbo, who stated there is push-back from the political as well as cultural spaces which have culminated in most minority groups feeling ostracized.
“In order to exist in a community there needs to be a sense of inclusion, however, violence is incited by religious leaders as well as political leaders. Due to this, LGBTQ people are shunned by public services workers such as nurses as well as police officers who take up issue with the sexuality of the people to whom they are mandated to provide a service,” Timbo shared.
She further noted that many trans women face difficulties in finding employment due to their discrepancy between their IDs which state that their male and their gender transformations.
“Trans women sometimes turn to sex work due to a lack of alternative work opportunities,” Timbo shared.
The Popular Democratic Movements legal advisor also chastised the political arena and how they have shied away from having a stance on LGBTQ issues, adding that measures should be taken to ensure access to equal services.
Other issues discussed included the struggle for same-sex marriage recognition in the country as well as the plight in fighting for residence for these married couples, as well as mental health issues.
