LGBTIQA
With the #WeAreOne campaign going on, tjil busts myths on the LGBTIQA+ community.
In celebration of the rich tapestry of Namibia's LGBTIQA+ communities through a week-long advocacy campaign, under the theme #WeAreOne, tjil caught up with members from the community to tackle myths that are far from factual. Here is what they had to say.
Myth
People from the LGBTIQA+ community are bewitched and they are not part of any community.
Fact
When we talk about a community, we talk about the people around us. We make a community. We are a community. Every person who is born is first-born and then becomes part of a community. It's sad when we - and when I say “we” I refer to us as the 'regular' community - believe that the LGBTIQA+ people have been bewitched. The framework around the LGBTIQA+ speaks for itself however I think the community, especially in Namibia, have allowed a lot of tolerance around the framework. Let's change our mind-sets from the labels we place on people.
Myth
People are not born gay or lesbian but choose to be so.
Fact:
When people say you have chosen to be this way because you either never had your father around or you were playing with dolls or you were raised or surrounded by women a lot, I always simply ask. Show me one person who chose to be mocked, to be called 'moffie' or simply wanted these labels.
Myth
Members of the LGBITQA+ do not fall in love… they just have flings.
Fact
LGBTIQA+ and heterosexual people all fall in love. The misconception comes from when people see a 'gay person' they think 'promiscuous behaviour'. All sexes are promiscuous. An example is Somizi from South Africa. Why is it that people can glorify him but the same people would curse someone like that with words like 'Eshenge' or say this is not allowed? Gay is the new black. We also don't fall in love with anyone of the same sex we see. We have types and certain people we are attracted to just like straight people have.
Myth
People seek same-sex relationships after bad experiences with the opposite sex.
Fact
There are people that have only been in same-sex relationships so that in itself should disprove this myth.
Myth
Changing one's sexual orientation is unethical.
Fact
Sexuality is fluid. People might identify as straight or gay but have feelings for the same or opposite sex, whether emotionally or sexually. It's allowed. You might not understand that, but it's true nonetheless.
Myth
Members of the LGIBTQA+ are promiscuous.
Fact
It might be true, and yes we might be engaged in more risky sexual behaviour, but that doesn't take away from the fact that heterosexuals are just as promiscuous. What's the point of pointing out how promiscuous LGBTIQA+ are when we are all raised by single mothers and have 10 siblings from seven different mothers and one father. Please.
Myth
Members of the LGIBTQA+ don't have a faith or religion.
Fact
The bible says we are all made in the image of God. God doesn't judge and members of the LGIBTQA+ have a right not to be banned from practising religion. They shouldn't fear to be harmed. We are religious, Namibian and above all, people just like you.
The activities part of the #WeAreOne campaign include having a 'bond fire' gathering at the Out-Right Namibia offices this evening to bring community members together around a warm fire to share anything, and everything. After the 'bond fire', the critically acclaimed South African Drag Queen and comedian Lilly Slapsilli will be staged at the Warehouse Theatre from 20:00.
She assures those who plan to attend they will be entertained in the 23 costume change fundraising event where the proceeds will go to Out-Right Namibia for the establishment of a safe house for vulnerable community members. Tickets are N$130 at Events Today. On Saturday from 09:00 a parade with LGBTIQA+ members will take place along John Meinert Street and will proceed down Independence Avenue towards the Warehouse Theatre.
A mini-market festival with live entertainment will proceed at the Warehouse for the general public and parade participants.
There will also be a Lip Sync battle and the winners will walk away with N$3 000 and N$2 000 respectively.
June Shimuoshili
Myth
People from the LGBTIQA+ community are bewitched and they are not part of any community.
Fact
When we talk about a community, we talk about the people around us. We make a community. We are a community. Every person who is born is first-born and then becomes part of a community. It's sad when we - and when I say “we” I refer to us as the 'regular' community - believe that the LGBTIQA+ people have been bewitched. The framework around the LGBTIQA+ speaks for itself however I think the community, especially in Namibia, have allowed a lot of tolerance around the framework. Let's change our mind-sets from the labels we place on people.
Myth
People are not born gay or lesbian but choose to be so.
Fact:
When people say you have chosen to be this way because you either never had your father around or you were playing with dolls or you were raised or surrounded by women a lot, I always simply ask. Show me one person who chose to be mocked, to be called 'moffie' or simply wanted these labels.
Myth
Members of the LGBITQA+ do not fall in love… they just have flings.
Fact
LGBTIQA+ and heterosexual people all fall in love. The misconception comes from when people see a 'gay person' they think 'promiscuous behaviour'. All sexes are promiscuous. An example is Somizi from South Africa. Why is it that people can glorify him but the same people would curse someone like that with words like 'Eshenge' or say this is not allowed? Gay is the new black. We also don't fall in love with anyone of the same sex we see. We have types and certain people we are attracted to just like straight people have.
Myth
People seek same-sex relationships after bad experiences with the opposite sex.
Fact
There are people that have only been in same-sex relationships so that in itself should disprove this myth.
Myth
Changing one's sexual orientation is unethical.
Fact
Sexuality is fluid. People might identify as straight or gay but have feelings for the same or opposite sex, whether emotionally or sexually. It's allowed. You might not understand that, but it's true nonetheless.
Myth
Members of the LGIBTQA+ are promiscuous.
Fact
It might be true, and yes we might be engaged in more risky sexual behaviour, but that doesn't take away from the fact that heterosexuals are just as promiscuous. What's the point of pointing out how promiscuous LGBTIQA+ are when we are all raised by single mothers and have 10 siblings from seven different mothers and one father. Please.
Myth
Members of the LGIBTQA+ don't have a faith or religion.
Fact
The bible says we are all made in the image of God. God doesn't judge and members of the LGIBTQA+ have a right not to be banned from practising religion. They shouldn't fear to be harmed. We are religious, Namibian and above all, people just like you.
The activities part of the #WeAreOne campaign include having a 'bond fire' gathering at the Out-Right Namibia offices this evening to bring community members together around a warm fire to share anything, and everything. After the 'bond fire', the critically acclaimed South African Drag Queen and comedian Lilly Slapsilli will be staged at the Warehouse Theatre from 20:00.
She assures those who plan to attend they will be entertained in the 23 costume change fundraising event where the proceeds will go to Out-Right Namibia for the establishment of a safe house for vulnerable community members. Tickets are N$130 at Events Today. On Saturday from 09:00 a parade with LGBTIQA+ members will take place along John Meinert Street and will proceed down Independence Avenue towards the Warehouse Theatre.
A mini-market festival with live entertainment will proceed at the Warehouse for the general public and parade participants.
There will also be a Lip Sync battle and the winners will walk away with N$3 000 and N$2 000 respectively.
June Shimuoshili
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