In 2010 Kenya adopted a new Constitution, with an expansive bill of rights. Yet consensual adult same-sex conduct remains criminalized under the Kenya Penal Code. The law is used to justify a myriad of human rights violations. Restrictions on freedom of expression target the LGBTI community and their civil society defenders, for instance, denying registration as NGOs to transgender and LGBTI organizations. In 2014 and 2015, two significant rulings of the High Court found this practice discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Kenya’s umbrella LGBTI organization, the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), has consistently worked towards upholding the human rights of LGBTI Kenyans by listening to, amplifying and communicating their voices to end all discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission’s 2011 report, "The Outlawed Amongst Us", details discrimination, such as violence, threats, extortion, arbitrary arrests, homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, and denial of access to services and quality citizenship participation. Envisioning’s research provides first-hand accounts, through interviews with LGBTI community members and leaders, that show how this discrimination is fostered by social and legal conditions.
Guillit Amakobe:
Keywords: Jinsiangu; Gender Identity; Transgender; Trans; Intersex; LGBTI; Activism; Health and Mental Health; Discrimination; Stigma.
Guillit: “LGBTI was supposed to be, you know, a community. Now it has become
‘LG’, but the ‘T’s’ and ‘I’s’ have become - those are now just disappearing.
They’re going to be what the anthropologists call, extinct. We are going to
become extinct the way things are going; if we don’t, you know, speak our
minds, voice our issues.”
Synopsis: Guillit Amakobe is the founder of Jinsiangu,
a community based organization that provides a safe space for trans, intersex
and gender nonconforming people in Kenya, especially those who identify as
female to male. He speaks on the unique situation and particular challenges for
trans and intersex people in Kenya, including in relation to inclusion and
visibility within LGBTI organizations. Guillit discusses navigating trust,
identity and self-esteem in the context of societal discrimination while also
facing stigma from within Kenya’s LGBTI community.
Douglas Masinde:
Keywords: Tamba Pwani; Gay; Transgender; Trans; Sex Work; Activism; Health and Mental Health; Human Rights; HIV/AIDS; Family; Religion; Police; Sex Work; Discrimination; Violence.
Douglas
Masinde: “I’m very much out, and even today, I am
out. Till tomorrow I’m out. Till the day after tomorrow I’m out. Yes, I’m still
out.”
Synopsis: Dr. Douglas Masinde is founder and
Program Coordinator of Tamba Pwani, a community organization in Kilifi County,
which seeks to empower gay, bisexual and trans men and male sex workers.
Offering a personal account of his journey of being out as a gay man in Kenya,
Douglas gives insight to the political, legal, health, societal, familial and
religious dynamics related to his identity. Despite struggles, Douglas remains
active in society, determined to promote inclusion, access and rights for
all.
Akinyi Margareta Ocholla:
Keywords: Minority Women in Action; Lesbian; WSW; LB community; Social Movement Organizing; Activism; Health and Mental Health; Family; Stigma; Suicide; Police; Education.
Akinyi: “We have lost a couple of women; we are going to continue to lose a
couple of women and girls because we can’t reach all parents. From what I
understand, the suicides are, I think, a cry for help.”
Synopsis: Akinyi
Margareta Ocholla is a founding member and former Executive Director of Minority
Women in Action, and a board member of ILGA: International Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. Ocholla is an advocate for the rights
of lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex women in Kenya, including health and
sexual reproductive rights. She speaks
about the importance of family and how it plays a role in the mental state of
women and girls of Kenya’s LB community, highlighting the lack of family
support and the reality of suicide.
Jane Wothaya Thirikwa:
Keywords: Gay Kenya Trust; Lesbian; Gay; Bisexual; Activism; Health and Mental Health; Suicide; Discrimination; Police; Law; Same-Sex Marriage; Human Rights Defender; Social Movement Organizing
Jane: “The LGB issue has become - it has been put on the global platform,
it’s become a global issue. It cannot be ignored anymore, like it has been in
the past.”
Synopsis: Jane Wothaya Thirikwa was the
Programs and Communications Coordinator at Gay Kenya Trust, a human
rights and advocacy group whose aim is to eliminate the discrimination of LBG
persons in Kenya, particularly on the grounds of sexual orientation. As a human
rights defender, she emphasizes the importance of reporting and documenting
human rights violations as well as the importance of the international
community to LGB advocacy and promotion of rights. She speaks about the
discrimination that LGBT activists such as herself face in Kenya, as well as her
relationship with her partner and development of her identity.