From: Pouline Kimani
Coordinator of GALCK, Nairobi, Kenya
Human Rights Defender
"For a world free of human rights violations"
http://galck.org/index.html

March 30, 2008

Gay Kenya: Profile of Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya

Introduction

The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) was formed in 2006. This was following a regional convening of LGBTI activists in East Africa. The convening was done in Nairobi and it was held after a research was done on LGBTI organizing in East Africa. GALCK was formed on the initiative of its member organizations, who saw the need of coming together to better achieve their objectives.

GALCK comprises four active organizations: Gay Kenya, ISHTAR MSM, Minority Women in Action (MWA), and The Other Men in Kenya (TOMIK). MWA is the only exclusively LGBT women's organization.

The vision of GALCK is to create a safe and enabling environment for LGBTI individuals and organizations in Kenya. The mission is to promote the recognition, acceptance and defend the interests and rights of LGBTI individuals and organizations in Kenya.

Achievements

GALCK's first public appearance was at the World Aids Day. This was on 1st December, 2006. GALCK had a stand at which its members gave information on safer sex for LGBTI individuals. The members also answered questions from the public on LGBTI issues. The stand was very popular with people swarming to ask questions and express astonishment at the public declaration and identification of Kenyans as LGBTI individuals. They were even more surprised to learn that there are LGBTI organizations in Kenya. However, there was absolutely no media coverage on the matter.

GALCK's next public appearance was at the World Social Forum held in January 2007 in Nairobi. GALCK organized a tent called the Q-spot where LGBTI activists from all over Africa converged to air LGBTI issues and hold workshops. The Q-spot was the most popular event at the Forum as it had more visitors than any other tent. Many people came to ask questions on LGBTI activism and rights. And many more came to ask questions on the lives and experiences of LGBTI individuals in Kenya.

The responses from the visitors were both negative and positive. Some argued that homosexuality is a sin or ungodly or unnatural. In fact, many people came to the tent with very negative views on homosexuality. However, many of them left with changed attitudes on sexual minorities. Many of the myths around LGBTI individuals were challenged and a human face put to homosexuality.

There was also a response from the religious leaders and the media, as well as self-proclaimed social experts. The Council of Imams called for the government to arrest the LGBTI activists at the World Social Forum. They argued that to allow such activities would be to encourage homosexuality, which they viewed as against all religions, immoral, unnatural and un-African. The Christian religious leaders also protested that homosexuality would destroy the sanctity of the family. A sociologist was also quoted as comparing homosexuality with bestiality. Another sociologist compared homosexuality to pedophilia.

However, GALCK's presence and activities at the World Social Forum were on the whole very successful. GALCK was able to network with human rights and other organizations and individuals present who would be willing to work with or support GALCK in achieving its objectives. In addition, the existence of LGBTI individuals and organizations in Kenya, as well as LGBTI rights became a part of public discourse. This is important in sensitizing Kenyan society on LGBTI rights.

GALCK has also achieved the recognition of MSM and WSW by the National Aids Control Council, and inclusion of Men who have Sex with Men in the national strategic plan from 2007. GALCK presently is also working with the Kenya National Human Rights Commission on a plan to mainstream LGBTI rights.
In addition, GALCK has been represented by volunteers at various local, regional and international conferences and has membership with the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA). One of the members of GALCK's Steering Committee is also on the Board of Pan-Africa ILGA.

Way forward for GALCK

GALCK is presently working on a project to open an LGBTI community centre which will house offices for the Coalition. It will be a safe space for LGBTI individuals to meet and share their experiences. LGBTI-friendly counseling services will be provided within that space as well as Voluntary Counseling and Testing facilities.

GALCK is also forming networks and working with various mainstream human rights and public health organizations in the struggle for the attainment of human rights of LGBTI individuals in Kenya. The provision of accurate information on LGBTI health and rights to sexual minorities as well as the society at large is a gap that needs to be filled. It will be achieved by building alliances with LGBTI rights, human rights, women's rights and Public health organizations.

The Coalition aims to eliminate homophobia and all forms of discrimination against LGBTI individuals. This will be achieved partly by creating awareness in society about the rights of sexual minorities as well as actively lobbying for the protection of those rights. Pamphlets and other documentation will be issued to individuals, institutions and government to provide the information necessary to combat the ignorance that fuels homophobia and discrimination.

Conclusion

Lack of public discourse on sexuality in general makes LGBTI issues almost impossible to discuss. General public ignorance of issues around sexual minorities their existence and violation of their rights inhibits their public acceptance.

To improve or assist on the development of sexual rights for all individuals public recognition of LGBTI issues will require a more open education and media discussion on sexuality in general ,one that does not stigmatize or sensationalize sexual diversity .

Mainstreaming LGBTI rights in the fundamental fights for all human rights within the women's rights HIV AIDS and human rights organizations will extensively make it easier to create arenas for the lobbying of the sexual rights.

Emphasis should be put on empowering all the minorities within the larger society on their basic rights including their sexual and reproductive rights in a positive way.

The women's rights and feminist organizations have in the past shied away from addressing the rights of LBTI women. A complete overhaul is required of the mistaken idea that the human rights of heterosexual individuals are more important than those of LGBTI individuals. Any legitimate human rights activist must be ready to engage others and struggle for the attainment of rights for sexual and other minorities.