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#TrendsArena: Namibia decriminalises homosexuality, here’s how social media responded
Friedel Dausab challenged the sodomy law in Namibia Photo Credit: @EqualNamibia/X
Social media has seen varied reactions following Namibia’s high court decision to overturn a law that criminalized homosexuality.
The law, which banned “sodomy” and “unnatural offences,” was inherited when Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Although it was seldom enforced, activists argued it fueled discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, including police violence.
Following several setbacks in recent years, the ruling was a victory for LGBTQ+ campaigners. Friedel Dausab, the Namibian LGBTQ+ activist who brought the case, stated: “I feel elated. I’m so happy. This really is a landmark judgment, not just for me, but for our democracy.”
Activists and LGBTQ+ members celebrated the ruling as “societal progress for Namibia.” However, there has also been discontent among those who oppose the decision.
See reactions of those who are for and against the ruling below:
Tweets in favour of the ruling
A victory for human rights in Namibia! Kudos to all the LGBTQ+ activists who fought the good fight. https://t.co/hWKW11bdVm
— Gwen Lister (@GwenLister1) June 21, 2024
What a triumph! So wonderful to see an African country reject anti-LGBTQ+ laws! Go Namibia! 🇳🇦🇳🇦 https://t.co/67RCnI56SP
— Uju Anya (@UjuAnya) June 21, 2024
Good for Namibia, I guess. Finally, some sense in a country where homophobia's as common as sand dunes. Now if only they'd get rid of all the corruption and inequality, but hey, one step at a time, right?
— Benjamin Lockheart (@BlockHeartBen) June 21, 2024
A win for the LGBTQI+ community. I am surprised it took them this long. But a win nontheless.
— The Abyss (@just_lordy) June 21, 2024
Little did you know, your hometown is the only place you’ll truly be FREE🇳🇦🏳️🌈
— Daniel (Tortured Poet)🧣🤍 (@ayimah_daniel) June 21, 2024
First, its about agency. 👏👏amazing Freidel Dausab who has been leading the Namibian and global fight for LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare for decades. One of my heros shows what it looks like not to give up in the face of huge challenge./2 pic.twitter.com/fflgy33yZp
— Matthew Kavanagh (@MMKavanagh) June 21, 2024
Thank you Friedel Dausab, organized and grassroots supporters, and the legal team. A stronger protection of civil rights is good for ALL of us
— Maximilian Weylandt (@Weylandt) June 21, 2024
Súd v Namíbii vyhlásil za protiústavné dva zákony z koloniálnej éry, ktoré kriminalizovali homosexuálny sex. Ide o prelomové víťazstvo pre LGBTI+ ľudí v krajine. Žalobu podal aktivista Friedel Dausab s podporou mimovládnej organizácie Human Dignity Trust.
🙌❤️
— jakub.vranka (@JakubVranka) June 21, 2024
Tweets against the motion
Westernization of Africa is dumb😂
— Titi Tutu (@TitiTutu35) June 21, 2024
Who was sponsoring him. This is the worst judgement of the year
— Siya@Othero (@OtheroGarzello) June 21, 2024
Dausab????…..he must be connected to someone with a pay grade above the high court judges.
Wow, what a country we live in…now the will €¥(k @$$ openly— Vipo Veii (@vipo_veii) June 21, 2024
Nonsensical
— Marakia Ya Ndaameshime (@MarakiaYa) June 21, 2024
The rainbow 🌈is not gay never will be it’s elements of life gay sex doesn’t make babies
— THEEHATEGOD (@Blackamoor4L) June 21, 2024
