Lize Ehlers takes Namibian Pride to the world stage at Toronto Pride 2025
Fighting for an equal Namibia
From Windhoek's Drag Night to international allyship, the award-winning artist amplifies queer African voices with a message of love, protest and global solidarity.
Award-winning Namibian performing artist and International Ally Ambassador Lize Ehlers recently returned home after a historic trip to Pride Toronto 2025, held from 26 to 29 June.
Her visit to Canada marked her first international Pride appearance and was the culmination of years of activism, artistry and solidarity with the LGBTQIA community in Namibia.
Ehlers was officially invited following a heartfelt and emotional moment with Kojo Modeste, executive director of Pride Toronto, during the International Pride Awards in Cape Town in November 2024, where she was honoured as an Extraordinary Ally.
Her powerful acceptance speech and unwavering commitment to queer visibility and safe spaces moved many, including Modeste – and opened the door for further international collaboration.
Her participation in Pride Toronto was further cemented through a meaningful dialogue with Doug Kerr, the executive director of Dignity Network Canada, who visited Namibia earlier this year.
"Doug saw my passion as an ally and said my energy was infectious," Ehlers shared.
Queer advocacy on a global stage
That connection, alongside her visible work as Co-CEO of Drag Night Namibia, Equal Namibia board member, and creative partner in Drag & Vogue Beyond Borders, made her an ideal figure to represent Namibian queer advocacy on a global stage.
Being part of Pride Toronto, one of the world’s largest LGBTQIA celebrations, was not only a personal milestone but also a strategic spotlight on Namibian-led projects aimed at resisting repression and reclaiming African queer cultural identity.
An emotional highlight of Ehlers’ trip was her reunion with Hanan Paikin and Johnathan Fong, former owners of Café Prestige in Windhoek – the original home of Drag Night Namibia.
Ehlers recounted how, years ago, during the early days of Drag Night, she told them: “One day I will come to Pride Toronto.”
Reuniting with them in Canada felt like a full-circle moment – one rooted in intention, resilience and belief in the power of manifestation. “It confirmed that all this hard work is not in vain,” she reflected.
Returning from Toronto, Lize Ehlers brings back a renewed message: Just Show Up.
“Showing up for yourself and your community is the most vivid form of love,” she said. “It is a declaration. Drag is political. Our art is protest. We are fighting for an equal Namibia and an equitable world.”
She emphasised the importance of collaboration and allyship, particularly from those who may be hesitant to speak up. “You can literally save someone’s life by speaking 'Love Speech' instead of 'Hate Speech'".
Her visit to Canada marked her first international Pride appearance and was the culmination of years of activism, artistry and solidarity with the LGBTQIA community in Namibia.
Ehlers was officially invited following a heartfelt and emotional moment with Kojo Modeste, executive director of Pride Toronto, during the International Pride Awards in Cape Town in November 2024, where she was honoured as an Extraordinary Ally.
Her powerful acceptance speech and unwavering commitment to queer visibility and safe spaces moved many, including Modeste – and opened the door for further international collaboration.
Her participation in Pride Toronto was further cemented through a meaningful dialogue with Doug Kerr, the executive director of Dignity Network Canada, who visited Namibia earlier this year.
"Doug saw my passion as an ally and said my energy was infectious," Ehlers shared.
Queer advocacy on a global stage
That connection, alongside her visible work as Co-CEO of Drag Night Namibia, Equal Namibia board member, and creative partner in Drag & Vogue Beyond Borders, made her an ideal figure to represent Namibian queer advocacy on a global stage.
Being part of Pride Toronto, one of the world’s largest LGBTQIA celebrations, was not only a personal milestone but also a strategic spotlight on Namibian-led projects aimed at resisting repression and reclaiming African queer cultural identity.
An emotional highlight of Ehlers’ trip was her reunion with Hanan Paikin and Johnathan Fong, former owners of Café Prestige in Windhoek – the original home of Drag Night Namibia.
Ehlers recounted how, years ago, during the early days of Drag Night, she told them: “One day I will come to Pride Toronto.”
Reuniting with them in Canada felt like a full-circle moment – one rooted in intention, resilience and belief in the power of manifestation. “It confirmed that all this hard work is not in vain,” she reflected.
Returning from Toronto, Lize Ehlers brings back a renewed message: Just Show Up.
“Showing up for yourself and your community is the most vivid form of love,” she said. “It is a declaration. Drag is political. Our art is protest. We are fighting for an equal Namibia and an equitable world.”
She emphasised the importance of collaboration and allyship, particularly from those who may be hesitant to speak up. “You can literally save someone’s life by speaking 'Love Speech' instead of 'Hate Speech'".
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