Kenya lgbt news
Kenya has a complex and often challenging environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, with laws and societal attitudes that can be hostile towards them. Here are some recent news stories and developments related to LGBTQ+ issues in Kenya:
Laws and Policies:
- In 2019, the Kenyan government passed the Sexual Offences Act, which criminalizes same-sex relationships and makes it illegal for individuals to "engage in any sexual activity with another person of the same sex".
- In 2020, the Kenyan High Court ruled that the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws are unconstitutional, but the government has appealed the decision.
Societal Attitudes:
- Homophobia and transphobia are widespread in Kenya, with many people holding negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
- In 2020, a survey by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights found that 64% of Kenyans believed that same-sex relationships were "morally wrong".
LGBTQ+ Activism:
- The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) is a prominent LGBTQ+ organization in Kenya that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
- In 2020, the NGLHRC launched a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya.
Recent Events:
- In 2020, a group of LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya were arrested and charged with "indecent practices" after they were found at a party in a private residence.
- In 2022, a Kenyan court sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for "engaging in unnatural acts" with another man.
International Pressure:
- In 2020, the United States government expressed concern about the human rights situation in Kenya, including the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
- In 2022, the European Union called on the Kenyan government to respect the human rights of all individuals, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
Notable Figures:
- Eric Gitari, a Kenyan LGBTQ+ activist, was arrested and charged with "indecent practices" in 2020. He was later released and has continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya.
- Njeri Gateru, a Kenyan LGBTQ+ activist, was awarded the 2020 Human Rights Award by the Kenyan government for her work advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Resources:
- National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC): A prominent LGBTQ+ organization in Kenya that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC): A human rights organization that works to promote and protect human rights in Kenya, including the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW): A global human rights organization that has documented human rights abuses against LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya.
Please note that the situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Kenya is complex and often challenging, and the information provided above is subject to change.