Book on Kenya’s queer community to be launched
The launch of the book Invisible - Stories from Kenya's queer community this Thursday comes hot on the heels of author Binyavanga’s recent bold declaration of his homosexuality. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- According to the author, being gay is not a crime in Kenya but there is still a penal code that outlaws homosexual acts or ‘acts against the order of nature’ between men.
- The book launch is set for this Thursday at the Goethe Institute.
The launch of the book Invisible - Stories from Kenya's queer community this Wednesdaycomes hot on the heels of author Binyavanga’s recent bold declaration of his homosexuality.
The book is a compilation by journalist and activist Kevin Mwachiro of narratives from Kenyan activists on their discontent against discrimination and uphold the respect and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals.
A picture of the book cover. Photo/COURTESY
According to the author, being gay is not a crime in Kenya but there is still a penal code that outlaws homosexual acts or ‘acts against the order of nature’ between men.
“The new constitution does offer some hope, by being all inclusive and respecting the rights of all minorities, thanks to having the Bill of Human Rights enshrined in what has been described as Kenya’s best constitution. This is a huge step for the queer community and movement in Kenya. But cases of blackmail, harassment, assault, incidents of ‘corrective rape’, extortion and reports of suicide still occur, ” he says.
Invisible explores the stories of the individual paths of the queer community in Kenya, and is bound to spark debate on the issue of sexuality, if the reactions to Binyavanga’s declaration are anything to go by.
Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina has come out recently to say he is gay, making him one of the most high profile Kenyans to do so. Photo/EMMA NZIOKA
The book will be launched on Wednesday at the Goethe Institute, Nairobi.
