Established in 2006, the coalition began with an initial membership of 4 organisations and expanded to 6 by the end of 2008. galck+ later expanded in membership to 14 and 16 in 2012 and 2014 respectively, representing LGBTQ+ voices from across Kenya. In 2013, galck+ rolled out a devolution process through which to decentralise its operations and programming beyond Nairobi. This was in response to an overwhelming need to identify and address grassroots needs and concerns across the regions, raised in 2012.
This process devolved the galck+ membership into 3 regional clusters, named after the peaks of Mount Kenya, Batian, Lenana and Nelion, which essentially categorised member organisations by the regions in which they are based and operate. The cluster mechanism is intended to strengthen cohesion and collaboration within the cluster membership through a peer-to-peer approach. Member organisations in each cluster are able to benefit from the experience and best practices of their peers. Each cluster is also at liberty to articulate a modus operandi that it deemed most appropriate/suitable to carry out the movement building work.
Batian
The Batian cluster is made up of four community based organisations majorly based in the rift region of Kenya and they are namely; KYdesa in Nakuru county, Q- Initiative in Uasin Gishu county, Gumzo Youth Group in Bungoma county and last but not least URM – Upper Rift Minorities in Lodwar county. These community based organisations go above and beyond to make sure LGBTQ+ people in their regions and even beyond receive sexual health services as well as sensitize the local leaders regarding LGBTQ+ people.
Kenya Youth Development and Education Support Association [KYdesa] is a non-profit community-based organization founded in April 2009 and registered in 2012 as a Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual community-based organization. The organisation was established as a result of MSM Post-test club during a community outreach engagement supported by LVCT Health in 2009.
KYdesa operates by building networks and reaching out to LGB communities in different sub-counties in Nakuru County.
Mission: To promote health rights, empower, inform and engage LGB communities.
Vision: A centre of excellence in health and human rights promotion.
KYdesa’s focus areas include;
- Human Rights; through which we promote recognition and solidarity of marginalised populations (LGB).
- Policy/Advocacy; through which we advocate for universal access to health with a particular focus on HIV prevention, Testing and treatment services and sexual and reproductive health and non-communicable infections.
- Services: We refer and link our members to LGB-friendly HIV and STI prevention, care and treatment sites managed by partners and facilitate psychosocial support sessions for LGB persons living with HIV.
- Empowering MSM communities: Poverty reduction, Education and Environment management, promotion of human rights of Gay men living positively, Male Sex workers and other MSM’s/ WSW’s, IDU’s and LGB population.
- Collaboration and Partnership; through which we engage other civil society organisations and Government institutions in Research, and other program areas.
Q-Initiative Eldoret was founded in 2010 by Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual students from Moi University who wanted to create a safe space for queer youth to convene and discuss their issues.
It was registered as a community-based organisation in August 2011 and became a member organisation of galck+ in August 2012. Q-Initiative has since grown beyond Moi University reach and now works with LGB youth from all over Eldoret and its environs.
Mission: To provide a transparent, membership driven, empowered and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Vision: An empowered and informed Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth.
Q-Initiative’s areas of work and interests include;
- Creating safe spaces for LGB youth to thrive through social networking. We use the cluster model to bring members together, and create awareness of Q-I to the LGB population
- Providing education (health, civic and sexuality education) creating awareness by holding sensitivity training to the public/interested parties on LGB issues.
- Promoting positive health seeking behaviour through quarterly health outreaches as well as regular community outreaches through Sexual Reproductive Health promotion, HIV/STIs prevention and management and provision of prevention commodities.
- Upholding the human rights and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of LGB persons as well as their security.
- Seeking to provide empowerment/growth opportunities for the LGB youth through entrepreneurship training, table banking and so on.
GUMZO Youth Group was registered in 2017 with the department of social works. We are based in Kimilili, Bungoma County, operating between Bungoma and Trans- Nzoia counties, composed entirely of members of the SOGIE community which is a minority. We aim to help our members and generally members of the SOGIE community to access vital health care. We also seek to empower ourselves financially through income generating projects. It is also our intention to access legal help for our members and provide safe house facilities since this is a community that is constantly under threat and in danger of stigmatisation
HeART Out Kenya, founded on November 10, 2021, is dedicated to exploring art therapy as a transformative tool for both individual and community healing, particularly among LBQT activists and queer feminists. Recognizing the limitations of conventional talk therapy, co-founders Billy Hani (Writer, Photographer & Activist) and Matana Sambai (Counseling Psychologist & Queer Activist) established the organization to bridge this gap by integrating artistic expression into therapeutic practices. Guided by the vision of “Healing hearts with Art,” HeART Out Kenya fosters a culture of self-care and collective wellness through various forms of art therapy. The organization upholds core values of community care, self-care, kindness, centering joy, and a feminist approach rooted in transparency and accountability. Their scope of work spans mental wellness through art and talk therapy, mental health advocacy, queer feminist movement building, and exploring the intersection of climate change and mental wellness.
Lenana
Lenana cluster is made up of community based organisations in the Nairobi region as well as its bordering counties. The organizations found in this region do an array of different thematic areas which incluse GBMSM sexual health awareness, LBQ sexual health awareness, community sensitization, SRHR (Sexual Health Reproductive Health Rights) and security reponse when it comes to LGBTQ+ members of society. They are namely AFRA, Queerhive, Gay Kenya Trust, HOYMAS, Ishtar MSM, M-PEG, LEHA and MWA.
Gay Kenya Trust (GKT)
HOYMAS
Ishtar MSM
Nelion
The Nelion cluster is composed of organisations in the coastal region who in their own right are changing the mindsets of the society in the region day in day out with the courageous work that they are doing. The organisations found here are Amkeni Malindi in Malindi county, Hapa Kenya in Mombasa county, Tamba Pwani ni Kilifi county, Pema Kenya in Mombasa county, Rainbow Women of Kenya (RWOK) in Mombasa county, Ukweli Mombasa in Kwale county, Mwamko Mpya in Lamu county.
Amkeni Malindi
HAPA Kenya
PEMA Kenya
