An unprecedented level of mobilisation around the IDAHOT took place this year in Kenya. The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), together with its 14 member and affiliate organizations, prepared a landmark series of actions around the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, under the banner of Freedom of Expression.

Actions spanned a week and included awareness-raising sessions amongst religious leaders, activities around health and educations, the creation of art works, engagements with UNHCR and debates on proposed legislation.

Kenyan sexual orientation, gender identity and expression minority (SOGIEM) communities are a significant percentage of the world’s population which has their freedom of expression and access to information restricted for a variety of reasons, including religious/moralistic and political rhetoric.

In this context, local activists report that:

SOGIEM individuals in Kenya continue to face attacks on their freedom of expression and being, through attempted introduction of further restrictive legislation and enforcement of existing ones.

To promote and empower SOGIEM and ally communities in the face of adversity whilst making the connection to global homophobia and transphobia issues, for solidarity and human rights actions, the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), has resolved to move forward with plans for the annual global IDAHO and Pride events themed “Freedom of Expression”. Given that PRIDE and IDAHO fall closely within the annual calendar, this year, the GALCK Pride/IDAHO Organizing Committee has also resolved to concurrently hold PRIDE and IDAHO Outreach Celebrations.

Poster produced by GALCK for actions around May 17, 2014.

Organizing the celebration of these global annual events in Kenya has been approached with considerable caution given the unstable environment in Kenya as demonstrated by:

1. Anti-gay rhetoric, ideologies and an increase in active homophobia (violence and harassment) within the general population
2. Proposed further punitive legislation in Kenya that seeks to further suppress the freedoms, rights, lives and spaces of SOGIEM Kenyans
3. An influx of refugees from Uganda
4. Increased national insecurity (alarming acts of terrorism) and the Kenya Government’s response

To mark PRIDE and IDAHO, GALCK and its 14 member and affiliate groups/organizations across the country have prepared a slew of celebratory activities which will take place on different days within the PRIDE week (12th – 16th May) culminating in IDAHO on 17th May.

Also PEMA Kenya’s IDAHOT press release was published in Today’s 17th May 2014 Saturday Nation page 44. It is a local Kenyan Newspaper with wide circulation.

For more detailed information the actions of 14 coalition members, please see the GALCK page here.

The capital’s LGBT community also joined together for a rainbow-themed picnic the weekend before May 17, and gathered for a manifestation in a Nairobi city park. A range of activities in the city of Kusumu also marked the year’s commemorations.

Police Banned Scheduled LGBT Rights March in Nairobi Without Warning

Activists in Kenya report this morning (May 17) that police intervened to prevent them from conducting a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi city centre. They had acquired a permit ahead of the event but this was unexpectedly cancelled, just ahead of the start of the march which was due to start at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park.

Organisers released this statement shortly afterwards via social media:

“IDAHOBIT KENYA 2013 – Significance of Police stopping the procession
A procession was to start at Freedom Corner, Uhuru Park, this morning. A permit had been issued which was later cancelled by the police. The police have also stopped the procession. Why is this significant?
The procession would have created awareness and made us, LGBTQIA Kenyans visible to others. Confining us to one place further enhances the “invisibility” of our community perpetuated by government bodies
The procession was to head over to Sheria House to give a petition to the Attorney General to scrap those laws that oppress us. This of course would attract a lot of media attention as well as putting the government “on report”. Stopping the procession denies us the opportunity to be seen publicly engaging the legal instruments of our country.
But we will not be frustrated or discouraged. We will keep going. Come Join us at the Railways Exhibition from 1pm.”

See also: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/police-shut-down-idaho-gay-march-kenya170513

Scheduled Dance Flashmob Moved at Last Minute Due to “High Traffic”

Reports OutinKENYA: http://www.facebook.com/IDAHOBIT

OutinKenya Rainbow Picnic – Sunday May 12, 2013

Photos available from: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190319841121041.1073741831.182613415225017

Actions in Kusumu

KISUMU, KENYA. IDAHO 2013 EVENTS:
Welcome to IDAHO-International Day Against HOMOPHOBIA.
This is a community event that’s scheduled to take place on Friday 17th (9am-9pm) and CANDLE-LIGHT DINNER on Saturday 18th (3pm-9pm) at KIPE.

KIPE compound, Kisumu.

There will be.,fashion show,theatre & drama,sex & ethics,movies and snacks & lunch. All are welcome. COME LETS HAVE FUN!

For more info see:

National Media Reports:

KTN (Kenya Television Network) Coverage:

It was hoped that the conversations would serve to dispel negative myths and beliefs about the LGBT community in Kenya and reinforce a safe and enabling environment for the realization of human rights for LGBT people.