One part striking Queer history lesson and one part introduction to some of the most courageous activists of our time, Out Laws follows three litigants putting their own lives at risk to make their countries safer places for 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Friedel Dausab is at the heart of a battle centuries in the making. Challenging Namibia’s criminalization of same-sex love, Friedel becomes a beacon of hope for countless Queer Namibians who long for freedom and safety. Amid death threats, relentless public scrutiny, and the chilling spectre of a serial killer, Friedel takes his country to court. The film traces the roots of this injustice: an ancient and enduring legacy born in Tudor England, spread through colonialism, and amplified by contemporary Christian evangelism. Prominent Queer historians illuminate this history as Friedel joins fellow activists Rosanna (Sri Lanka) and Raven (Barbados) in London, where they prepare to deliver a rousing speech at Pride, and await Friedel’s judgment.

Content Advisory: This film includes discussions of extreme homophobia and transphobia, including the murder of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.