Gay rights are human rights – LGBTQI+ community
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday October 10, 2023 06:00
The LGBTQI+ community proudly displayed banners and flags bearing messages like 'We are not forcing anyone to love us, we just want to be given our human rights in full package and we will be content', 'Stand for human rights, resist hate, discrimination, embrace equality and diversity', 'I deserve the right to be human', 'End gender oppression now!', and more, all advocating for inclusion and human rights equality.
Addressing the gathering, Pride coordinator Olivia Maswikiti expressed pride in bringing Pride home, marking the fifth year of celebrating the event in Botswana.
Despite challenges in the past, Maswikiti noted improvements since last year with the support of sponsors, including various NGOs. Emphasising the importance of visibility, she stressed the need for the LGBTQI+ community to be taken seriously, considered, and welcomed.
While Botswana remains a relatively safe space, Maswikiti highlighted global and African challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community, especially from spiritual perspectives.
"Luckily for us, Botswana is still a little bit of a haven for most of us. We need Pride March in Botswana because we need a mindset change. We still have a long way to go so we would not want to be in a position where tomorrow when other people come into power our rights are not taken seriously and we get oppressed easily. This is our time, we need to stand up and fight for our rights," Maswikiti said. British High Commissioner Sian Price encouraged the community to voice their concerns in creative ways without causing harm. She stressed the impact of individual efforts, noting that everyone can be an ally to the LGBTQI+ community and support their rights.
LEGABIBO CEO Thato Moruti highlighted the Pride Celebration as an opportunity for creating a more inclusive nation. He emphasised the need for inclusion in political, social, and economic spaces, asserting that the LGBTQI+ community is an integral part of society. Supporting events like Pride, according to Moruti, reflects fundamental principles of human rights, forming the foundation for development and progress in civil society. He underlined the importance of unity amongst parents, members of the rainbow identity, and couples to build a caring and proud nation together.