CITY GLASS also marked IDAHOT 2016 by launching their annual report, which addressed the situation of young LGBTI refugees living in Kenya.

Outside of Kenya, NYARWEK, the LGBT coalition in Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western Kenya, marked the day online and with a closed community event.

For more updates and information on events in Kenya for IDAHOT 2016 please keep an eye out for our upcoming annual reports

Q-Initiative, a LGB Youth organization in Kenya organised online campaigns against homophobia targeted to the queer youth from 10th to 17th May 2015. The campaigns aimed to post updates, anti-bullying messages and news from all over the world relating to IDAHOT several times a day.
Plans announced:

Additionally, they will also print t-shirts, brochures and banners which will be distributed to the queer youth, their family members, partners and friends to pass on messages against homophobia. The banners will be hanging in their office, and at the Eldoret Youth Center from the 15th to 17th May.
There will be a public discussion on Homophobia and the Youth with leaders from the campus organizations and youth groups on the 16th of May.
To celebrate IDAHO they will also have a movie screening with the queer youth from Eldoret on the 17th May, followed by a cocktail session with family and friends of lesbians and gays.

Q-Initiative Eldoret is a group of queer students connected to the Moi University Eldoret who in 2011 started to create a network for LGB students. The have partners and collaborate with national and international organisations.
To find out more about the group you can visit their website.

A collaboration of various organisations in Kenya planned to develop a social media strategy around IDAHOBIT that could be shared and ask organisations to use around that time on social media (Fb, Twitter, e.t.c.), having messaging, pictures, captions and themed messaging to get the buzz around.

AFRA Kenya, a queer LBT women Art group prepared a NO HATE photography campaign. On IDAHOT they invited everyone to join them at a sports event in Nairobi, titled ‘Sport it Out’

Still in the spirit of IDAHOBT month, AFRA-Kenya planned a two in one day events: Pink viewing and Night of Mystery on the 31st of 05 2015 but unfortunately had to postpone the event due to unavoidable circumstances. The new date will be announced.

The Suncity Africa Foundation hosted a The Day of Pink in Nairobi, Kenya.

Find the detailed report and more details about the organisers here.

IDAHOT 2015 – Focus Issue to be LGBTI Youth

In Kenya, Suncity Africa Foundation with the support of PlanetRomeo Foundation and Eastern Africa Regional Youth Network hosted The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) at the Suncity Lounge as the day also was the official opening the first LGBT community lounge in Eastern Africa. The lounge serves as a safe space for GBLTQ to meet, connect, socialize and even find potential partners and get entertained with a touch of casual martinis to fabulous drag shows, a place for them to be themselves without the feeling of being discriminated.

The Lounge and IDAHOT 2015 “what’s in common?”

Looking at the current wave of discrimination and stigma going around Africa, where Kenya is not left out of the share by the mainstream society which have also over-flowed into the social places like bar, clubs and lounges seeing LGBT community not to be themselves and most of the times not welcomed, verbally or physically abused or thrown out of these social places for who they are. The result is a vicious cycle: lack of financial resources for setting up LGBT friendly spaces affects the quality of life and denies LGBT persons a fundamental right of freedom to association and protection, limiting them from reaching the broad community and the riches, diversity, uniqueness, character and tone in LGBT friendly space and the lives they portray are often overlooked.

The Suncity Lounge concept will address the above mentioned issues by providing a sanctuary and a safe space for LGBT to hang-out, connect and socialize, with a focus on edutainment, lifestyle, culture and slang that will bring a sense of community responsibility and a rite of passage with a loyalty and allegiance to a place which offers a much needed opportunity for self exploration.

The Lounge will not only be limited to “safe space” but also become an information hub, online STI clinic, LGBT Youth online magazine, Talk show, pride festival and legal centre. We are here to treat LGBT with the feeling of equal opportunities and freedom, by remodelling our monthly reunion parties into Private lounge using the concept of sports club system of members only model approach to access services that are not offered to LGBT community with other organizations who only focus on primary health and advocacy.

The Event…

On 16^th, May, 2015 we ushered in The IDAHOT through the campaign theme The Day of Pink Event not only to mark as the official opening of our doors to the members. Our community is a structured or founded on social gathering and being that on 17^th being a Sunday, we decided to bring the LGBT new on the eve with more than 150 people celebrating diversity in a place and home where freedom is the order o the day.

Mr.Uchenna and Miss Rohilla were the MCs and host speakers for the night to make sure that the program is well followed. The event started from 9 pm with a curtain raiser by one of our only The Grammo Suspect of the all female group named I AM band singing one of her songs that is meant to pass a message to the community that it will all get better soon, such an encouragement to many.

We create a platform for our neighboring country Uganda asylum seekers living in Kenya to be at home away from home, through their Dance Crew who rocked the stage and captured the eyes of many through the Ugandan traditional dances.

The main aim to hosting such an event was to create free space with no charges for the members of the GBLTQ community to come and enjoy, get to socialize and learn various things including their right of association, the right to socialize, which was reached with a clear goal.

To keep the crowed entertained and get involved we introduced more artists to the stage and also some indoors games such as: spin the bottle, pick a letter plus organized a free photo session for everybody to make the day memorable.

Suncity Africa is currently fund raising to set-up a crisis center for LGBT youth who are in crisis or are homeless. They already have a facility which as part of the IDAHOT event was painted by young people. If you like to support them you can contact them at suncityafrica[at]gmail.com.

The Denis Nzioka News Agency and HOLA Africa! (an pan-African queer women collective) organised a social media campaign around and on IDAHOT.

We will be engaging queer African voices and personalities on homophobia, challenge stereotypes and interact as well as engage on conversation around homophobia online. We will prepare a social media toolkit that we will share with groups and persons who wish to engage in the debate.

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 Kenyan sexual orientation, gender identities and expression minorities (SOGIEM) community remains among a large percentage of the world’s population that resides in countries where freedom of expression and access to information is restricted for a variety of reasons, including religious/moralistic and political rhetoric. 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

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

A warm welcome is extended to the community, partner’s friends and allies.

Organising the celebration of these global annual events in Kenya has been approached with considerable caution given the unstable environment in Kenya.
Find out more about the program 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:

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 proocession 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.

For more background see also the video uploaded today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6X78OCpodE

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.