How can you support or contribute to LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya?

Late last month, the Supreme court of Kenya ruled that the country's NGO board was wrong to stop the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) from registering in 2013 and that it was a violation against their right to association.

The backlash from the ruling class and clergy in Kenya has led to a wave of Trans & homophobia in Kenya. From social media to the streets and pulpit, the hateful rhetoric has been intense and has set a dangerous precedence.

If you're disturbed by the recent developments and want to help the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Kenya, here's how you can go about it:

-Financial support- Strategic Litigation doesn't come cheap. Consider donating towards the cause of #Repeal162 to further strengthen the rights of LGBTQ+ persons in Kenya.

-Speak out - Be the voice, be an active ally. Speak out against violence, discrimination and any Human Rights Violation against LGBTIQ+ persons.

-Donate in Kind - your services, expertise, pro-bono services to LGBTQ+ movements in Kenya.

-Contribute to the conversation mindfully on twitter under the hashtag #Repeal162 #LGBTQrights

Unhelpful things to not say during this time (or ever)

If you consider yourself an ally of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Kenya, here are some unhelpful things self-proclaimed allies say that you shouldn't.

"Homophobia is a distraction"

Homophobia is not a "distraction" from much more important issues affecting the country. The calls for arrests, punishment and even genocide against a group of people cannot be minimized to "distractions".

The ruling class is attempting to use the existence and lives of LGBTQ+ as a scapegoat for their failings. We must not fall into this trap by calling homophobia a distraction. It is dangerous and minimizes the rights of LGBTQ+ persons to "non-issues''.

"We all sin differently"

LGBTQ+ persons in Kenya are not "sinning" by existing. Also consider that sometimes, bringing religious metrics to the conversation may not always be the wise thing to do.

" Leave them alone! This is a private bedroom matter"

LGBTQ+ people the world over are hypersexualized and fetishized and not seen as complex human beings whose lives don't revolve around "bedroom matters". Their lives, rights and existence are not private bedroom matters.