From: Bjoern Skolander The Windhoek Advertiser Stübel Street Windhoek, NAMIBIA Friday 13 December 1996 LET'S TALK, GAYS URGE PRESIDENT By Erhard Günzel An obscure local gay rights organisation, apparently ruffled by President Sam Nujoma's public whipping of homosexuals at the weekend, yesterday said it wanted to meet the Head of State to clear up misconceptions regarding the sexual orientation of its lot. The Rainbow Project, which represents members of the gay and lesbian community in Namibia, said in a statement to The Windhoek Advertiser that it had noted with great concern President Nujoma's public statement at the opening of the Swapo Women's Council Congress in Gobabis over the weekend. President Nujoma reportedly said all necessary steps must be taken to combat "all influences that are influencing us and our children in a negative way". He also reportedly said homosexuals should be condemned and rejected in Namibia. A woman activist from Africa who attended the opening of the congress reported the President's remarks to this paper. The Rainbow Project pointed out in the statement that Prime Minister Hage Geingob had in 1990, following discussions with members of the gay community, assured homosexuals and lesbians of their rights in terms of Article 10.2 of the country's Constitution. The statement read in part: "We request you (President Nujoma) not to make public statements regarding issues you are not familiar with and which in return will have a detrimental impact on part of the Namibian population. "It added: "The gay community of Namibia strongly urges you not to marginalise and discriminate against us, nor incite the masses which could lead to regrettable deeds. "We are prepared to meet you to clear up misconceptions regarding our sexual orientation of which we are proud of and not prepared to apologise for."