Friday, September 14, 2018

From Boy to Man

Raising children as an out and self-identifying lesbian is an ongoing rollercoaster ride. Many carry a perception that your children are not in a good home environment or that your children would and are being groomed to be homosexual as well. 

Over the years I have raised beautiful children who had to face bullying at school because of my identity and expression in appearance. I could see the pain in my children’s eyes from their lived experiences at school. As painful as it was for me as well l– I carried a responsibility to ensure that they know that I remain their mother and that nothing that any one says should change their opinions and values of how they have been raised. 

I remember when my son was in high school, in his class was a boy who was perceived gay and accused of being too feminine- the boy was bullied throughout and every now and then my son felt great offence on his behalf; until this one day when he unexpectedly stood up for him. The teacher called me to the school because of this incident she explained what had happened and said “Ms. Baumann – As you are aware your son is one of our best learners and today there was an incident in class and personally as the class teacher we have never heard and or seen your son voice himself the way he did- he literally defended his class mate who is teased for being gay” he told his class mates off that day and ensured that no one ever challenges his class mate. 

So in reference of this story, my children had to and still do fight battles on my behalf as I am seen as their lesbian parent while also having to protect all others as the language and understanding regarding issues of SOGIESC is a common discussion within our bonding moments. 

Furthermore my children faced different levels of stigma and received labels of assumptions just because they have a parent who is homosexual and equally members of the LGBT movement have approached them in the hope that they are queer like me. Such attitudes and mind sets need to be deconstructed to ensure that there is a common understanding attained by ensuring assumptions such as these are eliminated as it can and may lead to a greater offence and be seen as discrimination. 

Today I am a proud MOTHER who can take exclusive pride when I see my son raising his own child with the same strong principles, values which are filled with love and care. The bond of their love and the time spent with each other makes me realise that I have raised a man from a boy. A man who is clear of what he wants in life and with such a focused head space- he continues to be the beacon of his own offspring. 

I believe that the Lord and my ancestors remain our total strength and guidance to cultivating the future of our own off-springs and family bond. He is my Son and I believe my late sister Nancy Baumann looks upon us and continues to bless us as she is proud of her own Carlos just as I am.

By: Linda RM Baumann
14 September 2018
15h20

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Calling upon the Namibian LGBTI Community

I find it challenging to respond to emails from Namibian LGBT persons seeking Asylum abroad... If it is not the individual then it is the local agencies... 
Over the few months more the 7 applications of request to motivate that our lives as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender is in danger and that our lives face brutality from the police, State and families... Now this is completely not the realities we are faced with...
How do I support such if we are aware of the existence homophobia, biphobia and transphobia but surely not the rife image put out there... 
Why are many of us remaining in the country and doing work within our communities and with state? People do not use our moffieness for self gain... Let those realities experienced not be the detriment that casts us all in one bucket... 
May I also ask that those leaders leading LGBT organisations to remain ethical in their support letters and not misrepresent our issues for the sake of opportunists. As for me when I respond I cast the truth as a Proud Namibian Moffie.

By: Linda RM Baumann
04 September 2018
13h04

The Unspoken Realities


The unspoken realities
Realities which have come to validate my experiences
Experiences faced each day yet remain shelved
Shelved in order to avoid being judged and or rejected
 Rejection that keeps one caged right back into those unspoken realitiesRealities which turn to suffocate ones well-being
A well-being that is needed to level inner peace

What then is stopping me from expressing true peace?
Fear? Fear might be the one thing stopping us from truly speaking to our reality
Holding me hostage, knowing that only I have the key to set myself free

My experiences have come to dictate my expressions and my expressions reveal a story so confusing, the light inside my eyes shine right at the pain deep inside. However freedom from these chains depends only on me for yes only I carry the key to my inner peace..


By: Linda RM Baumann
12h52
09 September 2018

My lost sleep

 I keep tossing and turning at night, I know I'm asleep but I also know I am awake Exhausted I feel as I wake to start the day Because I...