Fun Fast Facts:
- Kenyan newspapers speculate that Scott Gration, US ambassador to Kenya, resigned because he disagreed with the promotion of gay rights.
- The media may have exaggerated; homosexuality is a taboo subject, 96% of Kenyans polled don’t accept homosexuality.
- In November 2010, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the behavior of gay couples was “unnatural” and homosexuals should be “arrested and taken to relevant authorities”.
LGBT organisation: Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya
- Main goal: repeal anti-LGBTI laws
- Provide legal advice to victims of existing laws/homophobic violence
- Another organisation, Internews in Kenya has a program to promote gay rights and reduce hate speech.
W3JOY interviewed: Raymond Stephens, US embassy, Kenya
The [US] Department of State considered the idea of gay pride to be a priority this year, across the world and in all embassies.
There were some reports coming out of the UK media that we were holding a pride parade. All of that was completely incorrect…it was basically a seminar held in a meeting room.
Some of the gay and lesbian members of the NGO community asked not to do this because they felt that it would call attention to their situation and result in backlash.
Homosexuality is considered illegal here in Kenya [but] there is a very peaceful co-existence. There was concern if we focused attention on the gay community,Kenya could turn into another Uganda.
Published: Tuesday, 7 Aug 2012 1:40 PM
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:42 — 29.0MB)