A search for lesbian women led Madeleine Maurick to a shebeen and a soccer field in Katatura, Namibia
Southern Africa does not like its gays and lesbians. The homophobic statements by heads of state in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia prove this.
The ostracising of homosexuals leads to secret lives, but in the Namibian township of Katatura, a lesbian football team – the Rainbow Warriors – has been formed. Members wear men’s clothes, openly try to pick up women and visit gay-friendly shebeens. They call themselves the “lesbian men”, their partners are “the ladies”.
Castakes Anton is exuberant about our visit. It is the second time that members of the Windhoek-based gay rights Rainbow Project are visiting. This time in the company of foreign guests who would like to know more about lesbian life in Namibia.
Anton is the manager who rules the roost in a shebeen packed with gay men and lesbian women. The backyard is the disco. She lives in the front part of a house with her girlfriend Elisabeth, who did not wish to be interviewed as she insists that their relationship should remain secret. The bedroom doubles up as a kitchen and lounge. The living room functions as the bar.
Since her appointment as manager of the shebeen it has become a safe hang-out for township gays. The owner of the property does not mind and supports Anton’s gay- friendly policy.
There are many people in attendance who all jump up to dance when a local hit is played. Whoopie and Soften, two members of the lesbian soccer team, are also there.
Since President Sam Nujoma’s homophobic statements in December 1996, gays and lesbians in Namibia have felt threatened. The ruling party, Swapo, believes that homosexuality is “unnatural”, “un-African” and “affects the fundamental principle of indigenous cultures”. Every now and then another minister adds to the homophobic hysteria, as when the minister of home affairs announced new anti-gay legislation.
These announcements create unnecessary anxiety and paranoia. Soften, founder of the soccer team, is convinced that the government could throw them all in jail for being lesbian.
More disturbingly, the churches have also jumped on to the homophobia bandwagon. All soccer team members have a religious background, yet the churches are renowned for turning their backs on their gay and lesbian parishioners. “I don’t go to church,” says Soften, “because the moment you walk in they start telling you how the Bible condemns homosexuality. I feel threatened by the church”. Anton also finds the church intolerant. “I may only go in a dress. If they don’t want me there in pants, I won’t go.”
The Rainbow Project has heard many stories just like this one, and, therefore, has created a religious support group. Ian, who often does social work within the group, thinks that it is important to convince the churches to let go of their homophobic attitudes.
“There are a few progressive churches in Namibia, but these are mostly small, like the Anglican and the Lutheran churches. The Catholic church is conservative and has the kind of attitude: ‘You can be gay, but you may not practice it.’ That is discrimination.” Ian, who has a Catholic background, has personal experience of what that means. His coming-out was quite traumatic when he thought that the priest would murder him for being a “practicing homosexual”.
The fact that so many African languages had words for “homosexual” before whites came to the continent, proves that being gay is not “un-African”. Many Southern African gay and lesbian organisations also study the Bible to find proof that discrimination against gays and lesbians is not advocated in the scriptures. They argue that it is homophobia that has been successfully exported to Africa from Europe.
Between 5pm and 7pm, four times a week, the Rainbow Warriors train on the football field. After the warm up, a friendly match against a male team begins. They are playing hard. The Rainbow Warriors are one of the best of the women’s teams in Namibia.
Yet these women all know the feeling of being “different”. This stems back to their childhood when they did not want to play with dolls, but preferred to play football. Now that they are grown-up they call themselves the lesbian men and give each other men’s names.
Soften and Whoopie are the big charmers and walk though the township streets hitting on women. “What’s your name?” Soften asks a girl one night. She gets a gigglish answer. “You have a nice face,” says Soften as she looks the girl deep in the eyes. The girl, clearly embarrassed, walks away. “So,” Soften says, “that’s a start. Tomorrow I’ll go a little further. Now I’ve spoken to her, I know her name and I have told her that she is pretty. That’s how it’s done.”
Soften has a steady girlfriend, but says, “I am a man, so I need other girls as well. I love girls in dresses. They can wear trousers every now and then, but not too often”. She looks at me with expectation. “You sound like a conservative man,” I respond. “Yes,” she nods proudly.
“Do you ever fall in love with other team members?” Soften looks surprised. “That I have never experienced, never! We are friends, we wear the same clothes, men’s clothes, even men’s underwear and after shave. If I approach a girl she must know that she is dealing with a man. There is a difference between her and me.”
The strict roles are of great importance for this group. A woman cannot love another woman, so she becomes a “man”.
In the context of discrimination and the effects of stigmatisation there is no room for diversity. People want one identifiable type of gay man or lesbian woman. “We want to change this one-dimensional view of sexual orientation,” says Ian. “I often get addressed as Steve’s wife. That irritates me because I am not a woman. We are two men who have a relationship!”
At a party, organised by the Rainbow Project, at the Warehouse in Windhoek, Whoopie suddenly says with glee: “I walked up to her and said ‘ich liebe dich [I love you]’. She’s from Denmark or somewhere,” and points to a white woman. The disco is full of gays, lesbians and drag queens.
For the majority of the football team it is their first visit to such a party in the city. The straight world has been closed out. There are no disapproving looks, nor moralising finger-pointing from which they have to protect themselves.
Their sexuality, usually taking a back seat, is showcased here. Tonight they can be visible, out there and in your face.