SWAPO hypocrites denounce homosexuality.
London – 13 September 2005
“Gay and lesbian Namibians are being scapegoated for the country’s problems and demonised as the enemies of the state,” according to Peter Tatchell of the UK-based LGBT human rights group OutRage!
“The homophobic slurs by Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Ms Theopolina Mushelenga, are the latest in a long series of attacks on Namibian lesbians and gay men by senior government officials.
“We echo the condemnation of this vilification made by Gays & Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). See their statement below.
“The Namibian President, Sam Nujoma, has for years echoed the anti-gay hate speech of neighbouring leader, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. He has denounced and threatened queers, encouraging a climate of prejudice, discrimination and violence.
“It is pure bigotry for Ms Theopolina Mushelenga to suggest that lesbian and gay Namibians are unAfrican, have betrayed the struggle for national liberation, and are responsible for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“Her hateful comments can only stir up intolerance and divide Namibian society.
“The truth is that many LGBT people were involved in Namibia’s liberation struggle against South African occupation. They battled side-by-side with their straight comrades to free their country.
“In the West, many gay people like myself were involved in solidarity movements to support Namibia’s liberation movement, SWAPO, during the freedom struggles of the 1970s and 1980s.
“The SWAPO government leaders are complete hypocrites. When they were fighting their national liberation struggle they gladly accepted the support of lesbian and gay people. Now they have got power they are denouncing homosexuality.
“Ms Theopolina Mushelenga is turning her back on the values of universal human rights and social justice that inspired SWAPO’s battle against white minority rule and South African occupation.
We express our solidarity with all Namibians striving for human rights,” said Mr Tatchell.
Further information:
GALZ – [email protected]
Statement from Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
Relating to: Recent homophobic comments made by Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Theopolina Mushelenga
Issued: Tuesday September 13th
“Recent comments by Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Ms Theopolina Mushelenga, claiming that lesbians and gay men betrayed the fight for Namibian freedom, are responsible for the HIV/AIDS pandemic and are an insult to African culture, are outlandish, highly irresponsible and blatantly untrue,” said Fadzai Muparutsa, Programme Manager for Gender, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
“It is Ms Mushelenga who is doing the insulting, not gay and lesbian people who, generally speaking, have stood up for the pursuit of freedom, democracy and good governance in southern Africa.
“To blame lesbian and gay people for the spread of HIV in Africa is reckless and foolish. It is well known that transmission of HIV in southern Africa is largely through heterosexual sex but, that said, all of us, and especially those like Ms Mushelenga who are in positions of authority, should avoid pointing the finger at anyone, especially vulnerable minorities. The Deputy Minister should concentrate her energies on more practical and humane approaches to HIV/AIDS interventions.
“It should be noted that the gay and lesbian community in southern Africa has played a significant role in HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and in the fight for access to affordable treatment for all those on the African continent living with the virus. We do not warrant being abused and set aside in this way.
“Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) demands that Ms Mushelenga publicly retract her comments and set the record straight,” said Fadzai Muparutsa.
Fadzai Muparutsa
Programme Manager for Gender
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
Email: [email protected]