Thursday 20 May 2010

Kenya: Gay Community Celebrates IDAHO 2010

This year's International Day Against Homophobia and Trans phobia was celebrated in style and color at the Nairobi National Museum. At an event organised by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, scores turned up to show solidarity to the gay community and to celebrate this day.

The cocktail event saw full media presence and other supporters of gay rights. Majority came from the LGBTI community. The attendees came from diverse backgrounds and included dignitaries, human rights groups and gay rights groups.  The night saw several performances by a lesbian artiste groups, AFRA-Kenya and speeches by Muthoni Wanyeki of KHRC, David Kuria of GALCK; a poetry recitation by Shilja Patel, a renowned Kenyan poet. Aeurnot Zevenbergen also gave an excerpt reading of his book, 'Spots of a leopard.'

David Kuria called homophobia as 'senseless and unnecessary' and asked for acceptance of LGBTI. On her part, Muthoni Wanyeki lauded the progress and show of visibility as evidenced by the number of people who came. She said that the Proposed Constitution would enable all Kenyans to access medical and health services free from discrimination and in particular the gay community.

In an interview done by Denis Nzioka of Gay Activists Alliance International Africa - Kenya, as reported here, he asked that the gay community be given access to housing and medical services. He also called for greater sensitivity and inclusion of gays among religious communities.

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