In Nairobi, Kenya, hundreds of people gathered in protest against the LGBTQ community
This demonstration, led by religious groups, has been called “dangerous” by human rights organizations. It comes in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that allowed a gay rights group to register as a non-governmental organization.
The protesters marched to the Supreme Court after Friday prayers, demanding the resignation of three judges involved in the case.
They held signs with messages like “LGBTQ is not African” and “A walk for upholding family values.”
Homosexuality is highly stigmatized in Kenya, and gay sex is still considered a crime under old colonial-era laws, carrying penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
While convictions under these laws are rare, LGBTQ activists argue that they violate their privacy and dignity, promote discrimination, and hinder access to healthcare and justice.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), an independent rights group, strongly condemned the protest, calling it the result of a “hateful campaign” that began in Mombasa last month.
KHRC is concerned that such actions will put LGBTQ individuals at risk.
“Now, this hate campaign is coming to the capital, and we know this will affect LGBTQ persons’ lives because previous street actions placed this group in harm’s way,” KHRC said in a statement.
“We take this opportunity to unequivocally condemn all the previous and ongoing nefarious activities that continue to expose this community’s rights to life, security, and dignity.”
Protest organizers plan to march to the parliament to express their support for a draft bill that seeks to criminalize gay relationships with severe penalties, including up to 50 years in jail.
This proposed bill shares similarities with the harsh anti-gay legislation passed in Uganda earlier in the year, which includes provisions for “aggravated homosexuality” as a potential capital offense and life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations.
Throughout East Africa, homosexuality remains illegal in many countries, with a history of discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, often encouraged by conservative religious groups.
However, there have been some positive developments, such as Mauritius recently repealing a British colonial-era law against gay sex, breaking the regional trend.
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