Death penalty for LGBT in Africa
Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people throughout Africa face the threat of harassment, discrimination, prosecution, and violence on a daily basis, and others remain vulnerable to increasingly dangerous and concerted efforts to stoke state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia.
Living in a traditionally homophobic or transphobic society can make it increasingly difficult for LGBT individuals to come out to their family, friends and community. Despite these challenges, many LGBT Africans bravely live as their true, authentic selves daily. Unfortunately, too often their stories go untold.
Across the continent, leaders refer to gays and lesbians as terrorists, as evil, and as sub-human. In East Africa, homosexuality is punishable by as much as 14 years in prison. Homophobia is being whipped up by religious fundamentalists—Christian and Muslim alike. LGBT individuals are extorted by police, violently attacked by homophobes, and sometimes even sexually abused. Dozens have been arrested recently throughout Nigeria since then.
"Nigeria's president has signed a law that bans same-sex marriage and criminalizes homosexual associations, societies and meetings, with penalties of up to 14 years in jail.Watch BBC exclusive interview https://youtu.be/Skwc3hFZhHc
Gambia's president threatens to slit the throats of gay men watch:HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=YJB9DCEEFDC
Many of these individuals have fled to Kenya, an economically prosperous nation on the eastern coast of Africa. They hope to apply for asylum or resettlement abroad—in Europe, Canada, or often, the United States. But the wait can be long — sometimes more than a year. While they wait, they are at risk of further violence in a country that remains deeply homophobic.
Usman stoned to death by community for being Gay
Sacked from their jobs for who there are.
KSOOMA VISION
We envision a world where all human beings living the transgender experience possess basic human rights. We are dedicated to ending discrimination and stigmatization targeting the transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities. We strongly support each person’s ability to declare his or her own gender identification and sexual orientation without fear of reprisal.
However, based on the results of numerous community needs assessments, it became clear there was a need to be more inclusive in serving diverse populations. Thus, as part of an ongoing strategic planning process, T.H.E. broadened its mission to enhance the quality of life of the diverse LGBT populations we serve by advocating for and supporting a continuum of health and social services. In fulfilling our mission, we seek to unify and empower the transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities.
Testimonies
Solomon (Kenya): "Without the Internet and social media, [being gay] is a living hell," says Happy. "We live in hiding, in constant fear, in secrecy... with the help of the Ksooma, we were lucky enough to meet other gay people, make friendships, and thrive underground
Njeri Gateru : Legal Officer at the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission Kenya Njeri Gateru decided to come out early in her life. “If I am going to be a lesbian, let me be a lesbian that changes the world,” she said.
Uche : was outed in his small village in Nigeria when he was a young man. He was found kissing another boy and was beaten and tortured by neighbors he had known most of his life. "Thank you Ksooma for giving my life a meaning:..
Help to make our voices heard
Email: ksooma.international@activist.com
