Main image (c) Neil Freeman for Aids Alliance
The new Kenyan constitution enhances and protects individual rights for all citizens but gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities continue to face discrimination and abuse because of their sexual orientation.
“Gays live in fear of being identified for social security reasons. If an adult identifies himself as gay, he loses friends. Some have lost jobs not because they are under-performing but because of their sexual orientation,” said Elphas Naivasha, the chairman Gay Kenya.
Speaking at a launch of a website of freedominspeech.org, a website for Kenya’s LGBTI community, Elphas noted that discrimination is worse for the youth. When they are found out, they are often chased from home and have their education cut-short, even though this is their right, he said.
He added that at times, gay youth are locked indoors for the rest of their lives.
Kate, of Artists for Recognition and Acceptance (AFRA KENYA), expressed concern about the challenges lesbians face due to their sexual orientation.
“Lesbians, once identified, are ostracised by families, relatives, friends and the community at large,” said Kate. “They are discriminated against and face difficulties in acquiring health services, especially VCT and pap-smears. Many risk to self-medicate,” she added.
Kate said there are no gay rights, rather they are human rights since the universal declaration of human rights does not specify who one should go to bed with.
The new website freedominspeech.org, gives a platform to LGBTI persons in Kenya to tell their own stories and champion their rights.
The website has been running for the last four months and aspires to be the leading source of LGBTI news locally and regionally. The aim of the project is to have more unbiased reporting from the community and help set straight much of the inaccurate reporting already in existence.
