The galck+ Archives serve as a living record of the coalition’s journey, capturing key projects, milestones, and major events that have shaped the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya. From groundbreaking advocacy efforts to community-driven initiatives, each entry reflects the resilience, progress, and impact of galck+ over the years. This archive not only preserves our history but also inspires future generations to continue the work of justice, visibility, and inclusion.
In November 2025, galck+ introduced a refreshed Strategic Framework to guide our work from 2026 to 2031.
This Framework is the result of a long, thoughtful process that brought together insights from our members, partners, and community voices. It offers a broad direction for how we will continue nurturing connection, strengthening collective resilience, and supporting LGBTQ+ organisations across Kenya.
At its heart, the Framework reaffirms our core foundation:
Mission:
To advance and defend the human rights, safety, and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Kenya through advocacy, community support, and coordinated action.
Vision:
A safe and enabling environment where LGBTQ+ people and organisations in Kenya can thrive openly and confidently.
Mandate:
To foster inclusive spaces, amplify community voices, and support member organisations in creating a Kenya that embraces diversity and equality.
The Framework also highlights four broad strategic pillars that shape our work over the next five years:
- Advocacy & Policy Influence:
Strengthening our ability to push for a more inclusive and supportive environment. - Community Empowerment & Support:
Enhancing member capacity and prioritising community well-being and safety. - Movement Building & Partnerships:
Deepening collaboration across regions and with allies in the wider social justice ecosystem. - Organisational Sustainability
Ensuring galck+ remains strong, well-coordinated, and future-ready.
While the full Strategic Framework remains an internal guide for the coalition, this public excerpt offers a glimpse into the direction we are taking as we continue building a stronger, more resilient movement. The years ahead present an opportunity for growth, collective learning, and renewed commitment to a future where every LGBTQ+ person in Kenya can live safely, visibly, and proudly.
Queerly galck+
- Partnership with Grindr: In August, galck+ collaborated with Grindr under the Grindr for Equality initiative to provide Kenyan LGBTQ+ individuals with in-app access to information about their rights and safety.
- Launch of Kenya’s National SOGIESC 4th Cycle UPR: On November 1, galck+ attended this significant event, marking a key step for SOGIESC communities in Kenya.
- Celebration of the Gayfters Event: galck+ hosted the Gayfters event, celebrating and amplifying queer voices, creating safe spaces, and advocating for change within the community.
- Rebrand from GALCK to galck+: The organization transitioned from the acronym GALCK (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya) to galck+, signifying a broader and more inclusive identity that no longer functioned as an abbreviation. This change reflected a commitment to embracing the full diversity of Kenya’s LGBTQ+ community.
- Launch of the “SHAME IS NOT A CURE” Report: galck+ released “SHAME IS NOT A CURE”, a groundbreaking report on Conversion Practices (CP) in Kenya. The report exposed the prevalence of harmful and coercive practices aimed at changing individuals’ sexual orientation or gender identity, providing survivor testimonies, data, and advocacy recommendations to combat these violations.
Advocacy through Artivism: galck+ continued to engage in artivism, using art as a medium to promote social change and raise awareness about LGBTIQ rights in Kenya.
Expansion to 16 Member Organizations: galck+ grew to encompass 16 member organizations, reflecting its commitment to representing diverse LGBTQ+ voices across Kenya.
Formation of the GALCK Reloaded Taskforce (GRT): Facing organizational and financial challenges, the community established the GRT to revitalize and restructure the coalition, reaffirming its central role in Kenya’s LGBTQ+ movement.
Publication of “The Outlawed Among Us”: In collaboration with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), galck+ contributed to this seminal report documenting widespread discrimination and mistreatment of LGBTIQ individuals in Kenya.
Opening of the Resource Centre: galck+ inaugurated its resource centre in Nairobi. Prior to World AIDS Day on December 1, the organization mobilized 230 LGBTI individuals to attend voluntary counseling and testing services at the centre, a pioneering initiative targeting the LGBTI community.
World Social Forum Participation: galck+ set up a tent dubbed “the Q spot” during the World Social Forum in Nairobi, marking one of the first public advocacies for LGBTIQ rights in Kenya.
Establishment of galck+: Founded in May 2006 by local and regional activists, galck+ began as the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, serving as a national umbrella body representing LGBTQ+ voices.
Formation of Ishtar MSM: Established as the first group in Kenya advocating for men who have sex with men (MSM), Ishtar MSM laid the groundwork for future LGBTQ+ activism in the country.