Archive for December 2016
GALCK Statement: Your Safety is Important to Us
At GALCK, we’ve noted an increased number in security-related incidents involving our community members during holiday seasons, over the years. Our Security apparatus were engaged for the most part of yesterday in resolving an incident at the Little Temple Club involving club officials and LGBQ community members. It is for this reason that we advise…
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For gays and lesbians in Mombasa, coming out is a ticket to stigma and discrimination
Family rejection, homelessness and imprisonment are some of the harsh realities facing Mombasa’s sexual and gender minorities. Although human rights organisations are fighting for their equal rights, stigmatisation and discrimination remain high. Eric, 18, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said he came out as gay to himself and to his family…
Read More[VIDEO] Mombasa County Sex Workers and Homosexuals chant My Sex My Trade seeking recognition
Mombasa commercial sex workers and homosexuals took to the streets demanding recognition. The commercial sex workers are protesting against harassment that they claim they are often subjected to by the police and county ‘askaris’ during the course of their work. First published by Standard Media
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The Plight of Gays While Seeking Health Care Services in Kenya
With the changing world, there is a demand vested upon people to respect rights and freedom of other people.Modernization has even given a voice to the voiceless.The people who never spoke freely like the gays and lesbians can fearlessly come out and demand their rights. Research has shown that gays, lesbians, bisexual, and the transgender…
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Kenya’s anti-gay laws lead to harassment, LGBQ persons say, want change
Activist and musician Joji Baro (George Barasa) hides his shoulder-length hair under a grey mavin. The 25 year-old likes to put make-up on his delicate face and walk with a bit of a strut. But Joji Baro chose boyish clothes today and admits that he cannot fully express himself when he is around Kenyans. “What…
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Gay-friendly Clinics fight stigma, high HIV infection among men
Mitchell, a gay man, found out he was HIV-positive two years ago. Thoughts of making frequent visits to hospital frightened him, he says. The last time he had been to hospital, a doctor had called a group of his colleagues and they examined him without touching him. Mitchell had anal warts. Some of the doctors…
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GALCK Statement on International Human Rights Day 2016
On Dec. 10, Kenyans and people around the world will commemorate International Human Rights Day. This day is marked every December 10th on the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. The work of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya resonates with this year’s…
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Are you happy or are you gay?
COLONIAL LEGACY?: ‘In essence, in pre-colonial Africa, homosexuality was widely practised, so why the post-colonial push to make it illegal? Where did this notion that it is illegal come from to make it illicit? The laws which first made homosexuality illegal were enacted by colonialist governments, and this was mostly prevalent in former British colonies.…
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Fighting to Protect Human Rights in Kenya’s new Global Fund and PEPFAR Supported Key Population Size Estimate Study
The criminalization of sex work, drug use and same-sex relationships among consenting adults undermines HIV service delivery.[1] In most countries, the legal environment works against access to delivery of effective services, such as harm reduction services and programs targeting sex workers and men having sex with men. Given these facts, we are deeply concerned that…
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GALCK Executive Coordinator Remarks at Media Networking Cocktail
On behalf of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, welcome to our first Media Engagement Forum. Thank you all for making time to attend this event, we hope that our constructive engagement continues in the years ahead. What brings us together? Attending this event today are people from different backgrounds: we have human rights…
Read MoreHomosexuality: We are A Country Living in Constant Denial
One of the strongest messages that we learnt from this year’s World Aids day is that whereas it is bad enough for one to die from the epidemic it is important none of us dies from ignorance. There has been a rallying call to action to all HIV stakeholders to unite and overcome injustices caused…
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