A new organisation, LGBT Network-Namibia was launched on 24 April, aiming to advocate for equal rights of all LGBT Namibians.

According to Chris De Villers of the LGBT Network-Namibia, the network seeks to create a platform for Namibians with an unconventional sexual orientation to come together and unite with a common goal of promoting equality for all.

Currently in Namibia, homosexuality is criminalised based on the common law offence “an unnatural sex crime” and Article 10 of Namibia’s constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of, among other things, sex and guarantees all people equality before the law.

Furthermore, under the Namibian labour code, discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation, is prohibited.

The Network’s mandate is to also encourage “fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events” in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.”