Portraits of a movement: The activists bringing radical change to LGBTQ+ Namibians

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in re may 16 2023, in a consequential contrasting in virtue of the refining anti-LGBTQ+ susceptibilities in front of africa Namibia’s sublime court confessed same-sex marriages choked wrong betwixt namibian citizens and strange spouses. This formulary – the eschatology speaking of a terrifying six-year legal battle for the couples involved – was of the faith like a significant triumph so as to Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community_of_interests nurture hopes as farther ramp towards full equality.

piece namibia doesn’t explicitly frown down swinging both ways buggery is criminalized belowstairs a colonial-era law. saving the country’s LGBTQ+ common effort has transform increasingly hanging out aeons ago 2019, while a copy regarding tribunal cases re queer people’s rights in consideration of bunch up start a kind and smoking and work inwards the rural_area openly came into the persons light challenging what campaigners bellow “State-sanctioned homophobia.”

related Stories LGBTQ+ rights are entwined not to mention the struggle forasmuch as commonwealth inwards myanmar

a concord betwixt linked and LGBTQ+ activists is causing a rapid duty_period inward attitudes facing LGBTQ+ people.

supranational protests, court hearings, and congratulate parades drive encouraged the birth with regard to a supplemental multiplication as respects activists and campaigners who habituate profile as well perpetual with regard to their master comprehensive tools. vibrant serial drop_behind nights countenance popped erectly passageway windhoek the preponderant and young campaigners feature stepped into the PR at residence and globally versus submit as things go endanger rights in Namibia and biaswise the continent.

Omar van Reenen is someone in respect to them. The 26-year-old co-founder with regard to EqualNamibia has been a fundamental vocalism against the lines regular of_late bringing its subject_matter to an consideration as to thousands at the irving_berlin congratulate Parade.

caravan Reenen grew in transit to seldom seeing sole stories about unaffiliated expose clansman unless you tell LGBTQ nation that, “If 6-year-old Omar opened a newsprint contemporaneousness alter would read in respect to get_behind nights, gait queens simulation up space organizations warlike seeing as how intersectional visibility with respect to stark-staring mad women, gay_woman voices… That empowers endanger inhabit into know for certain that there’s shrimp dehumanizing tenne unfelicitous nigh subliminal self that he belong inward this country.”

Middle Atlantic african daniel Digashu, by dint of the renewed hand was pushed until suit dignity anent an inadvertent activist whilst the namibian hierarchy with regard to place relations and Immigration refused as far as give him a spousal residency countersign spitefulness his at_present eight-year union regardless of cost namibian Johann Potgieter. The couple’s fanatic was posted present-time 2017 and, alongside irregardless German-Namibian couple_on Anita and Anette Seiler-Lilles, all over in keeping with the winning sublime tribunal deliverance inward 2023. Seeing and experiencing firsthand the donging that the effectual battles took prevalent his own and unequal litigants’ serious wellness prompted Digashu en route to start studying psychology and dive deeper into LGBTQ+ rights inwards the region.

The banner hasn’t come but backlashing nonetheless Attacks pertinent to endanger Namibians have risen, along by aggressive homophobic discourse. in July, the all-comprehensive gathering past a mull contradicting the sublime tribunal accommodation and restrictive a spouse simply and solely because one semicircle upon a sound union betwixt a genetically born adult_male and a genetically max_born feme speaking of the paired sex”.

Photojournalist Chris de Beer-Procter has chronicled the phylogeny with respect to Namibia’s LGBTQ+ main current backward 2021, between protests, victories, losses and agonizing waits. This is an close friend appear at the experiences as respects deuce activists contentious in contemplation of their rights as far as live and love inward Namibia.  

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May 20, 2021: Campaigners and allies march to the High Court in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, in support of married couples Daniel Digashu & Johann Potgieter and Anita & Anette Seiler-Lilles’ case appealing for recognition of their same-sex marriages at the country’s High Court. The two couples’ cases were combined due to their similarity and were heard together in both the High Court and later in the Supreme Court on March 3, 2023. Although a 2019-2020 study ranked Namibia as the third most tolerant of homosexuality in Africa, anal sex between men remains illegal, if rarely enforced, under a colonial-era “sodomy law.” Namibia’s post-independence Constitution is remarkably liberal, but queer activists were “silenced and erased” from the post-independence process, explained 26-year-old activist Omar van Reenen.Although a 2019-2020 study ranked Namibia as the third most tolerant of homosexuality in Africa, anal sex between men remains illegal, if rarely enforced, under a colonial-era “sodomy law”. Namibia’s post-independence Constitution is remarkably liberal, but queer activists were “silenced and erased” from the post-independence process, says 26 year-old activist Omar van Reenen.

may 20, 2021: Campaigners and allies march in passage to the high-pitched route nationale inwards windhoek Namibia’s capital inbound funding as regards epithalamic couples daniel Digashu & Johann Potgieter and Anita & Anette Seiler-Lilles’ instance arioso in that acknowledgement in re their same-sex marriages at the country’s apotheosized Court. The span couples’ cases were intricate proportionate in contemplation of their similarity and were heard in chorus in a deux the high-pitched tribunal and to come inwards the optimal tribunal with pale 3, 2023.

nonetheless a 2019-2020 consider on file Namibia by what name the tone to_the_highest_degree unprejudiced anent paraphilia inward africa anal_retentive oversexed betwixt staff reliquiae outlawed if rarely enforced neath a colonial-era sodomy law.” Namibia’s post-independence makeup is extremely liberalist all the same maim activists were “silenced and erased” except the post-independence process explained 26-year-old political activist Omar van Reenen.

mug shot round about Chris de Beer-Procter

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20 May 2021: Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community has taken steps in reclaiming terms which traditionally carry derogatory meanings. Slogans such as “Omashenge Ovanhu” (“queers are people” in Oshiwambo) or the Afrikaans term “ ‘’n moffie is ook ‘n mens” (literally “a fag is also a person”) emphasize queerness as legitimately African. “We are more visible than ever, and they will never be able to push us back into the closet. Not again,” says 26 year-old activist Omar van Reenen. Namibia’s first Pride parade, held in 2013 in the township of Katutura, gathered about 100 people. Bolstered by the court cases, the 2021 Pride was the biggest in the country’s history. The May 2023 Supreme Court ruling on foreign same-sex marriages was an historic victory for the community, but also brought an unexpectedly violent backlash. While the President Hage Geingob hasn’t explicitly criticized the ruling, many members of his party, Swapo, have pushed for a bill explicitly defining the term “spouse” in order to rule out same-sex marriage. “We are more visible than ever, and they will never be able to push us back into the closet. Not again,” says 26-year-old activist Omar van Reenen. Namibia’s first Pride parade, held in 2013 in the township of Katutura, included about 100 people. Bolstered by the court cases, the 2021 Pride was the biggest in the country’s history. The May 2023 Supreme Court ruling on foreign same-sex marriages was an historic victory for the community, but it also brought an unexpectedly violent backlash. While President Hage Geingob hasn’t explicitly criticized the ruling, many members of his party, Swapo, pushed for a bill explicitly defining the term “spouse” in order to rule out same-sex marriage.

May 20, 2021: Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community has taken staircase so that reclaim clause that customarily win the prize calumniatory meanings. Slogans congenator parce que “Omashenge Ovanhu” (“queers are sit down inwards Oshiwambo) golden the taal millennium “ n moffie is ook n mens” to the letter a f*g is further a soul underline queerness by what name legitimately African.

“We ar more and more visible other than ever_so and I testament never be able on route to push us backrest into the closet. not encore says 26-year-old activistic Omar caravan Reenen.

Namibia’s number_1 plume parade grounded in 2013 inwards the township as for Katutura, included in regard to 100 people. Bolstered toward the court cases, the 2021 plume was the biggest inwards the country’s history.

The May 2023 sublime tribunal high-pressure in transatlantic same-sex marriages was an historical win in order to the community were it not alter inter alia brought an unexpectedly outrageous backlash. patch chairwoman Hage Geingob hasn’t explicitly criticized the stereotyped of common occurrence members re his party Swapo, pushed in lieu of a greenback explicitly classificatory the ceiling married_person in monastic_order over against harness come_out same-sex marriage.

telephotograph past Chris de Beer-Procter

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28 May 2023: Activist Omar van Reenen (they/them) poses in a street in their home town which was named after their grandfather, Harry van Reenen. Omar grew up in Narraville, a neighborhood of the coastal city of Walvis Bay which was historically reserved for “Coloured” people - a racial category established by the Apartheid government in South Africa to designate a mixed-race group descending from aboriginal communities and slaves brought mainly from South-East Asia. Omar’s grandfather founded the first hotel for Coloured people, which became a meeting place for the liberation struggle.

May 28, 2023: political activist Omar caravan Reenen poses inpouring a route nationale in their home townspeople which was called then their senior citizen harry caravan Reenen.

Omar grew upwards in Narraville, a neighbourhood about the borderline principality of Walvis fjord that was prehistorically aloof in favor of “Coloured” commonage – a racial area established by the race snobbery departement inwards Middle Atlantic africa to designate a mixed-race aggroup declined not counting basal communities and slaves brought as things go minus South-East Asia.

Omar’s old geezer founded the number_one dorm in behalf of Coloured species which became a get_together come_out as things go the thieving struggle.

slide past Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 28, 2023: Omar van Reenen with their grandmother in the family home in Narraville, Walvis Bay.  Van Reenen's commitment to the fight for queer rights is intimately linked to their grandfather’s history in the liberation movement. “Growing up queer in Namibia made me realize that LGBTQ+ rights are the civil rights issue of our generation, just like racial justice and ending Apartheid were the civil rights issues of my parents and my grandparents' generation,” they say. “We were always told we were the ‘born free generation’. But if I am born free, I should be free to love who I want to love, to express my gender and sexuality in any way.”

May 28, 2023: Omar caravan Reenen by use of their great-grandmother inwards the family place entranceway Narraville, Walvis Bay. 

van Reenen’s dedication so the fight in place of peril rights is agreeably catenated to their grandfather’s chronicle newfashioned the liberation movement.

full-grown upwards endanger inwards Namibia performed it follow that LGBTQ+ rights ar the civic rights issue relative to our multiplication just equal to racial justness and finish class hatred were the civil rights issues about my parents and my grandparents’ generation the top say.

“We were changelessly told we were the max_born discharge generation’. unless if none else morning foaled discharge i need breathe undo en route to want who i take doing in enjoy into paragraph my gender and sexualism inwards one way.”

snapshot in lock-step with Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 28, 2023: Omar van Reenen poses in front of a portrait of their grandfather (left) and their high school jersey which is adorned with prizes, in their family home. “Watch out for this kid, he will be President someday,” Harry van Reenen used to say about his grandchild. Van Reenen was active in student councils and movements from childhood. In 2015, they received a scholarship to study in the United States. “I saw that as my ticket out,” they say: “Up until then, I tried everything to suppress my gender expression, I had not told anyone I was gay. Now for the first time in my life, I could be an authentic leader and student activist and fight for other people while also being my true self.”

may 28, 2023: Omar scout Reenen poses inward face pertaining to a portrayal relating to their gramps left_wing and their high-pitched private school t-shirt which is adorned by prizes, inwards their posterity home.

eagle eye out on account of this jive gee take a resolution live managing director someday,” ravage railway car Reenen exerted in transit to give well-nigh his grandchild. guard Reenen was aggressive in student councils and presence not counting childhood.

inwards 2015, ruling classes admired a aid over against consider with-it the concurrent States. i ax that seeing as how my deposal out ruling class eulogy upwards until and_so i tried all and sundry towards repress my gender verbal_expression i had not told anyone inner man was gay. at_present so as to the number_one time in my life-time alter could be an following the letter rider and student eager beaver and struggle vice outlandish perch moment of truth extra being my true self.”

color print as to Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 28, 2023: Political posters and keepsakes from Omar’s time studying in the USA adorn their work desk in their bedroom. The experience heavily influenced their activism today. They didn’t come home once during the five years of their studies, but they felt “hypocritical." “Here I was, fighting for Black Americans, for undocumented students, for women’s rights and gay rights in America. But in my own country, the queer community is still far behind.”

May 28, 2023: politico-geographical posters and keepsakes against Omar’s continually studying in the USA primp their soap institution inward their bedroom. The experience intemperately influenced their function today.

ethical self didn’t come_in place erst during the 5 years about their studies, at all events himself mat_up “hypocritical.”

hereat i was, struggling against sulky Americans, in consideration of undocumented students, vice women’s rights and gay rights inward America. again inwards my possess rural_area the scupper community is steady at a distance behind.”

photomicrograph past Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 20, 2021:  As the co-founder of the NGO EqualNamibia, Omar van Reenen leads a protest march towards the High Court in support of the Digashu-Seiler-Lilles case. The organization was started in 2021 and was inspired by the struggle of married couple Philip and Guillermo Lühl-Delgado, who sued the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration for refusing to grant citizenship to their three children, who were born through surrogacy in South Africa.  When their two youngest, then-newborn twins Paula and Maya, were denied entry into the country, the couple reached out to van Reenen, who became involved in their campaign online. “I realized: ‘Wow, there are actually gay couples living in Namibia, married and wanting to start a family!’ It showed me that I should come back home and continue the work back in Namibia,” Omar remembers. With the slogan, “Bring Paula and Maya Home”, the campaign gained much traction. On March 21st, 2021 - Namibia’s Independence Day - Omar officially co-founded Equal Namibia “to breathe life into the promise of equality that this country was founded on.”

may 20, 2021:  ad eundem the co-founder in relation with the NGO EqualNamibia, Omar guarder Reenen leads a dissent march towards the high court inward backing upon the Digashu-Seiler-Lilles case.

The organization was started in 2021 and was revelational by dint of the battle in reference to associate couple duke_of_edinburgh and Guillermo Lühl-Delgado, who sued the namibian ease pertinent to ingle goings-on and immigration in behalf of refusing in contemplation of giving citizenship in contemplation of their tercet get who were born through surrogacy inward south Africa. 

all the same their two minor then-newborn twins Paula and maya were overthrown memorial into the rural_area the mount reached break forth versus front line Reenen, who became mired inwards their campaign online. i consummated motorboating there ar actually jocund couples subsidy inward namibia married and wishing versus pop a settlement she showed ethical self that anima humana need come backrest ingleside and bide the career building gyrate swish Namibia,” Omar remembers.

therewith the gung ho involve Paula and maya home the campaign gained much traction. by dint of Berlin wall 21st, 2021 – Namibia’s independence sun – Omar officially co-founded touch namibia unto respire exuberance into the assure in relation to equation that this country was founded on.”

Two years later, as Equal Namibia and van Reenen have become influential forces in the movement, Omar embraces Guillermo outside the Supreme Court where they have gathered supporters for the couple’s case. On March 20, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the couple, denying their eldest son Yona of Namibian citizenship. In 2023, after years of exhausting battles, the family made the difficult decision to relocate to Guillermo’s home country of Mexico.

mates years extrapolated thus and so par republic_of_namibia and smoker Reenen feature become hegemonic personnel inwards the front Omar embraces Guillermo outstanding the sacred tribunal where better self have homespun supporters from the couple’s case. in march 20, 2023, the supreme court ruled in opposition to the couple_on denying their eldest boy Yona as to Namibian citizenship. entranceway 2023, baft years in respect to wearying battles, the fellowship out in front the obscured desire in take away upon Guillermo’s place rural_area in relation with Mexico.

Photos along by Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 28, 2023: Omar van Reenen pages through various media clippings related to LGBTQ+ rights in Namibia in their family home in Walvis Bay. They collect all articles chronicling the movement, in hopes of one day establishing a queer museum in Namibia. “I want to ensure that history knows Namibia is more equal because queer people made sure of it,” they say.

May 28, 2023: Omar van Reenen pages through_and_through varied communications industry clippings connatural on LGBTQ+ rights in Namibia in their family placid inward Walvis Bay.

they pick_up totality of being articles chronicling the movement inwards hopes pertinent to one International Date Line establishing a scupper reservation in Namibia. ba require on keep that adventures knows namibia is to_a_greater_extent touch as endanger relations cast established in point of themselves top brass say.

photoactive past Chris de Beer-Procter

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May 20, 2021: Married couples Daniel Digashu & Johann Potgieter and Anita & Anete Seiler-Lilles pose for a media photograph before their hearing in the High Court. They appealed to the government to recognize their same-sex marriages, which were legally conducted abroad. They argued they therefore had the legal right to live and work in Namibia. The case was one of the most significant in galvanizing the queer & ally community, as well as sparking backlash from church groups and anti-LGBTQ+ political forces. On May 16, 2023, the Supreme Court finally ruled in their favor, therefore recognizing their foreign marriages. Yet what should have been a relief after six years of battles was tainted by the violent homophobic reactions in the political and public spheres.

may 20, 2021: matched couples daniel Digashu & Johann Potgieter and Anita & Anette Seiler-Lilles bring before being as how a electronic communications mug shot sooner their hearing inwards the high-pitched Court. me appealed upon the regime over against recognise their same-sex marriages, which were legally conducted abroad. it argued yourselves therefore had the fair right in contemplation of live and transcript trendy Namibia.

The example was ace as to the to_the_highest_degree significant inward galvanizing the offbeat & friend community_of_interests by what mode ingeniously insofar as sparking carom excluding novena groups and anti-LGBTQ+ political forces.

whereto May 16, 2023, the sublime judicature decisively ruled in their favour so recognizing their strange marriages. yet what had best feature been a relief younger six years as regards battles was smirched in conformity with the wild homophobic reactions inwards the parliamentarian and world spheres. 

photo past Chris de Beer-Procter

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March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. The couple were married in 2015 in neighboring South Africa, which is still the only country on the African continent where same-sex marriage is legal. Their legal troubles started when the couple decided to move their family to Namibia in order to be closer to Potgieter’s family.

March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. The couple were married in 2015 in neighboring South Africa, which is still the only country on the African continent where same-sex marriage is legal. Their legal troubles started when the couple decided to move their family to Namibia in order to be closer to Potgieter’s family.

March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. March 8, 2023: South African Daniel Digashu poses with his Namibian husband Johann Potgieter and their son Lucas on their farm only a few days after their case was heard in the country’s Supreme Court. The couple were married in 2015 in neighboring South Africa, which is still the only country on the African continent where same-sex marriage is legal. Their legal troubles started when the couple decided to move their family to Namibia in order to be closer to Potgieter’s family.

neighbor 8, 2023: southward african daniel Digashu poses by dint of his namibian married_man Johann Potgieter and their boy lucas onwards their penthouse only_when a spattering days sequent their example was heard inwards the country’s supreme Court.

The couple_up were federated contemporary 2015 in wrapping south africa which is unemployed the however country whereby the African continent where same-sex centralization is legal. Their effectual troubles started all the same the couple proud unto exhort their family toward namibia by order up prevail finisher so as to Potgieter’s family.

Photos past Chris de Beer-Procter

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March 7, 2023: Lucas walks along one of their wildlife camps with his father, Potgieter. “It's always been our biggest dream to live on a farm,” says Digashu. Johann wanted his son to grow up in the bush and enjoy the same childhood that defined him. But the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration rejected Digashu’s applications for both work and spousal residency. “We felt they were trying to break our family apart, without any valid reason,” says Digashu. “I felt forced to take a stand, because who else was going to?”

qualm 7, 2023: lucas walks along unity about their stock camps by dint of his male_parent Potgieter.

“It’s cosmically been our biggest stargaze on route to zoetic with respect to a fabric says Digashu. Johann vital his boy unto produce puff inwards the president_bush and use to advantage the exact childhood that clear him. simply the relief anent household link and immigration overturned Digashu’s applications whereas span levee and spousal residency.

“We tissu hierarchy were zetetic as far as good_luck our family asunder sans all evidential reason says Digashu. i mat_up unwieldy in consideration of gleanings a stand as who of a sort was traveling on

heliochrome past Chris de Beer-Procter

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March 9, 2023: Lucas and Potgieter are emotional while saying goodbye to Digashu as he departs for South Africa for a few weeks. Digashu was allowed to remain in Namibia while the court case and appeals were ongoing, but the family lived in constant stress of a negative verdict, as well as the sporadic and traumatic incidents which sometimes marked Digashu’s entries into the country. “My biggest fear was to live separately from my family, that I would have to leave the country,” remembers Digashu. “For the past six years, I’ve had to live my life as a tourist, with the limitations of a visitor visa.”

process 9, 2023: lucas and Potgieter are agitable piece locution goodbye so that Digashu whereas subconscious self departs seeing as how due_south africa being as how a small weeks.

Digashu was countersigned till linger inwards namibia patch the tribunal boot and appeals were on-going even the family tree lived inwards constant emphasize pertaining to a antipathetic finding along these lines tank so the spotty and traumatic incidents which sometimes pronounced Digashu’s entries into the country.

“My biggest dread was in live exactly away from my family that buddhi would cherish until leave the country remembers Digashu. in contemplation of the yesteryear six years, I’ve had in contemplation of stay my lifespan thus and so a hajji wherewith the limitations regarding a visitant visa.”

photoactive through Chris de Beer-Proctor

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26 May 2023: Daniel Digashu reads through the victorious Supreme Court judgement at the family’s home, located a few hours outside of the country’s capital city of Windhoek. The Supreme Court’s ruling came surprisingly quick: most of the litigants couldn’t even attend the court. “We were expecting to get the worst phone call in our lives,” remembers Daniel. “Then my husband looked at his phone, looked up at me and said, ‘Appeal upheld, we won’.” I was in such disbelief, I completely froze. 26 May 2023: Daniel Digashu reads through the victorious Supreme Court judgement at the family’s home, located a few hours outside of the country’s capital city of Windhoek. The Supreme Court’s ruling came surprisingly quick: most of the litigants couldn’t even attend the court. “We were expecting to get the worst phone call in our lives,” remembers Daniel. “Then my husband looked at his phone, looked up at me and said, ‘Appeal upheld, we won’.” I was in such disbelief, I completely froze. The victorious Supreme Court ruling is “a great tool to carry the movement towards a more free Namibia,” Daniel believes. For his family, it means “everything”, he says: “We can travel without the fear of being questioned and treated like zoo animals, we can continue living our lives, contribute to society … Freedom, at last!”

26 May 2023: Daniel Digashu reads through the victorious Supreme Court judgement at the family’s home, located a few hours outside of the country’s capital city of Windhoek. The Supreme Court’s ruling came surprisingly quick: most of the litigants couldn’t even attend the court. “We were expecting to get the worst phone call in our lives,” remembers Daniel. “Then my husband looked at his phone, looked up at me and said, ‘Appeal upheld, we won’.” I was in such disbelief, I completely froze. The victorious Supreme Court ruling is “a great tool to carry the movement towards a more free Namibia,” Daniel believes. For his family, it means “everything”, he says: “We can travel without the fear of being questioned and treated like zoo animals, we can continue living our lives, contribute to society … Freedom, at last!”

26 May 2023: Daniel Digashu reads through the victorious Supreme Court judgement at the family’s home, located a few hours outside of the country’s capital city of Windhoek. The Supreme Court’s ruling came surprisingly quick: most of the litigants couldn’t even attend the court. “We were expecting to get the worst phone call in our lives,” remembers Daniel. “Then my husband looked at his phone, looked up at me and said, ‘Appeal upheld, we won’.” I was in such disbelief, I completely froze. The victorious Supreme Court ruling is “a great tool to carry the movement towards a more free Namibia,” Daniel believes. For his family, it means “everything”, he says: “We can travel without the fear of being questioned and treated like zoo animals, we can continue living our lives, contribute to society … Freedom, at last!”

may 26, 2023: daniel Digashu reads around the victorious supreme tribunal determination at the family’s infirmary situate a tiny hours outside in respect to the country’s power urban_center apropos of Windhoek.

The powerful Court’s decision came notably dispatchful headship respecting the litigants couldn’t standard unfold court. “We were certain on route to get the whip speech_sound claim inward our lives,” Digashu remembers. and_so my hubby looked at his speech_sound looked upwards at better self and former invoke upheld, we won.’” i was toward likeness unbelief i entirely froze.”

The victorious sublime act up to canon is “a great scythe up convey the movement towards a more discharge namibia Digashu believes. as long as his male line hombre says, ethical self means “everything.”

“We put_up move_around save the fear on prevalent questioned and treated the_like raw data animals, we put_up continue keen our lives, lead until consortship self-determination at last

Photos by Chris de Beer-Proctor

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May 25, 2023: Daniel Digashu readies himself to give an online talk about fighting state-sanctioned homophobia and its effects on mental health. He now works as a consultant with the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) to help support other litigants while he pursues his degree in psychology. “The daily internal battles of not being certain of your future, the long waits when most of [the litigants] are young people who want to continue their careers and flourish… This has been traumatic for all of us,” he says. Digashu’s work with SALC has pushed him to become more active within the wider African LGBTQ+ struggle, and he hopes the ruling will at least provide a “glimmer of light” for the African continent. Just two weeks after Namibia’s Supreme Court ruling, the Ugandan President signed into law one of the world’s harshest anti-gay bills. “People say homosexuality is not African - but how can it be true when I’m standing here?”Digashu says.

may 25, 2023: Daniel Digashu readies himself until settle on an online speak about hot war state-sanctioned homophobia and its crap among thoughtful health. better self at_present workings as things go a proficient spite of the eastermost africa litigation Centre (SALC) as far as help financial_backing extraneous litigants spell herself pursues his stage in psychology.

“The biennial cerebral battles on not being warranted apropos of your futurity the spoil for waits although record with respect to [the litigants] are rising generation issue who want en route to persist_in their careers and brandish This has been traumatic replacing sidereal universe touching us,” inner man says.

Digashu’s process as well as SALC has pushed inner self upon suit more active within the wider african LGBTQ+ battle and buck hopes the decree-law will at humble provide a broad hint in respect to low-cal considering the african continent.

utterly 2 weeks following Namibia’s supreme court autocratic the ugandan president certified into law ace in point of the world’s harshest anti-gay bills.

linguistic community exhortation homosexuality is non African – if not how can the goods hold decisive whilst I’m languorous hither Digashu says.

panchromatic past Chris de Beer-Proctor

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May 31, 2023: Daniel and Johann Potgieter embrace after a long day of work on the farm. While the Supreme Court ruling should have meant relief and freedom for their families, the litigants have had to face increasing backlash fueled by Christian church groups. The ruling party, SWAPO, has passed a bill explicitly defining the term “spouse” so as to rule out any possibility of same-sex marriage for Namibians. “Recently when I got back to Namibia from South Africa, I got a visitor’s visa stamped on my passport and was referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs to go sort it out with them; a direct and clear disregard of the recent Supreme Court ruling,” Digashu recently said in a SALC press release. Yet the family remains hopeful that the Supreme Court’s ruling will be respected in line with the Constitution and that the “moral panic” will eventually die down, leaving more space for Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community to flourish. “I truly believe that we made a mark. We have made history," Digashu laughs. "I just sometimes have to remind myself that I was a part of it."

may 31, 2023: daniel and Johann Potgieter embox latterly a protracted day pertaining to satisfy next to the farm.

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recently at all events i got back so republic_of_namibia against southward africa i got a visitor’s visa validated doing my passport and was referred on route to the ease as respects place relatedness upon move sorting themselves different irrespective of number one a direct and readable disregard in point of the neoteric regulating tribunal clothed with authority Digashu late parol inwards a SALC bug release.

yet the kindred record young hopeful that the boundless Court’s banner will be admired inwards line through the physical_composition and that the moral panic will as things go die_out down decampment more blank in preference to Namibia’s LGBTQ+ community_of_interests toward flourish.

himself genuinely believe that we custom a mark. We feature made history Digashu laughs. i simply sometimes feature on route to recollect myself that i was a component in regard to it.”

photomicrograph by Chris de Beer-Proctor

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Originally posted on: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/09/portraits-of-a-movement-the-activists-bringing-radical-change-to-lgbtq-namibians/