Windhoek mural raises the banner for LGBTQI+ rights

A new Pride month mural was unveiled on Saturday at the Sister Namibia premises in Windhoek – a public declaration of visibility, inclusion and celebration.

Painted in large letters across its face, the mural carries the words of the LGBTQI+ struggle for equality, justice and respect: 'Hold High The Banners Of Liberty'.

June marks Pride month in many parts of the world – a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities and honour their resilience.

“The goal here is about visibility and taking up space," Sister Namibia head of programmes, Ndapwa Alweendo said on Saturday. "We think it is really important for LGBTQI+ Namibians to not only have support in private spaces and behind closed doors but also to see themselves represented in public spaces in this country. Africa-wide and in Namibia it is very rare to find a mural that gives public support to the queer community, and we thought that was a really important way to celebrate Pride.”

-Desmarius Hansen