LGBT rights in Namibia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Namibia have limited legal protections. Sexual contact between men is criminalised within Namibia, although this law is generally unenforced. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned in Namibia but not for gender identity.
LGBT rights in Namibia | |
|---|---|
| Status | Male illegal since 1920 (not enforced, legalization pending) |
| Gender identity | Sex reassignment surgery is required to change legal gender |
| Military | No |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation only. |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriages performed outside of Namibia recognized since 2023 |
| Adoption | Ambiguous |
The climate for LGBT people in Namibia has eased in recent years. The country's leading LGBT advocacy group is OutRight Namibia, formed in March 2010 and officially registered in November 2010. It has organised Namibia's first pride parades and seeks to be "a voice for lesbian women, gay men, bisexuals and transgender and intersex people in Namibia". Other LGBT groups include MPower Community Trust, which provides awareness of sexual health for gay and bisexual men, the Namibian Gays and Lesbian Movement, which provides counselling and advice to LGBT people and organises educational programs to raise awareness of LGBT Namibians, Tulinam, an LGBT faith-based group, and Wings to Transcend Namibia, a transgender group.