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It was a Saturday morning. I shut the door to my room on some pretext, went into the bathroom, and began reading out numbers on my phone screen. The number sequence was random, and I read each sequence out in different voices. First slower, pausing and extending the way I pronounced each digit. Next, breathier…

#LoveMakesAFamily They say in those books from which they draw their prejudice that to love others one must first love themselves, I shall take that action. To celebrate every person who possesses a deliberate boldness to live their truth, in all its color and pizzazz, all who stand against a culture pickled in traditional values…

Dinner is awkwardly quiet. The tension looming over us is suffocating. Making up my mind, I clear my throat. Everyone is looking at me. “Growing up, I never realised I had two mothers until I was around 10. On that day, I had found my mothers kissing in the kitchen and honestly, I was deep…

My friend and I went to buy a dress for me. We met in town and after 20 minutes, we found a stall with dresses she liked. I tried on a couple of them and finally settled on a ‘girly’ one. Then the time came to agree on the price with the (male) shop attendant. I jokingly…

An interview with Gigi Louisa, LGBQ activist in Kenya “In Kenya , I always have to be careful. Because I’m attracted to women, because of the work I do and just because I am a woman. I can be attacked at any time, on the street or in my own house. Or I can be…

Sexual minorities, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people, face high rates of HIV prevalence. However, many lack basic human rights protections and access to HIV services that would help reduce HIV infections and meet the 2006 commitment of member states to “ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and…

We live in strange and scary times. The president of the world’s most powerful nation is using Twitter to send out 140-character messages (full of spelling mistakes, I might add) to the world. Yes, Donald Trump, who has an army of communication and public relations experts at this disposal, is physically typing angry messages on…

I was born and raised in Kenya. I am a teacher, a voter, your neighbour, a student, a doctor, a parent, a police officer, an entrepreneur, a friend, a lawyer a judge, a policy maker just to mention a few. I am a law abiding citizen and I always pay my taxes on time. I…

Coming out and identifying yourself as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Queer is always a challenge no matter where you live because of the stigma and discrimination that one is bound to face for the rest of their lives. Diversity is a beautiful thing, and to make people feel excluded for something they have no control over…

Family rejection, homelessness and imprisonment are some of the harsh realities facing Mombasa’s sexual and gender minorities. Although human rights organisations are fighting for their equal rights, stigmatisation and discrimination remain high. Eric, 18, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said he came out as gay to himself and to his family…