Namibia Pride came to a close with the repainting of the Rainbow Sidewalk outside The Brewers Market in Windhoek on Saturday.
The annual community building, visibility campaign and celebration included a calendar of arts, entertainment and wellness events held across the city from 20 November to 11 December.
The sidewalk, which depicts the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and other (LGBTQI+) rainbow flag, was created in 2021 and is a symbol of solidarity with the community, as well as a statement against discrimination and hate.
To end this year’s Pride, Windhoek’s LGBTQI+ community and allies joined Equal Namibia’s Omar van Reenen to repaint the landmark, which the activist describes as an emblem of resilience and a message of hope.
“If there’s one message that should be sent out there today with this sidewalk, it’s that for every queer Namibian watching, you are powerful, you are deserving and you are worthy of every chance and opportunity in this country to pursue and achieve your dreams and destiny and to take up space,” says Van Reenen.
“You belong. We belong. We are born free. This is our nation too. Omashenge Ovanhu. We are queer. We are here.”
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