Regional LGBTI Conference Held in Nairobi

By Rev. John Makokha

There 2^nd Regional Changing Faces Changing Spaces Conference was held in a Nairobi hotel on 28-30, September, 2009. Both local and international LGBTI and sex worker activists participated in the conference. The conference was organized by UHAI-Eashri.

The participants were drawn from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya. The donor community was also represented.

The participants noted that there was need for more support for LGBTI issues because of oppression from governments and religious fundamentalists. They recognized the stress, frustrations and strain placed on LGBTI and sex worker activists in East Africa.

One activist said, “We need to understand the strategy that is being used to slow us down, to drag us, and control us.” The community needs to provide space for discussion on issues of sexuality so as to influence the community to think differently.

On the spread of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI, it was noted that just giving people condoms and lubricants does not influence people’s sexual behavior. The LGBTI face challenges of affordability, confidentiality and quality health care due to poverty, ignorance and scorning by healthcare providers. Prevention of HIV/AIDS requires a holistic approach. LGBTI need serious affirmative action in terms of holistic health care.

The participants discussed the importance of LGBTI engaging in other issues of national importance such as substance and drug abuse, sexual violence, peace and justice.

There was need for capacity building of staff in terms of inductions so that workers can understand their core business.  The participants underscored the role of networking, information sharing and coalition building in addressing LGBTI projects.

It was noted that LGBTI need psychosocial support due to homophobia and transphobia.

Other Sheep Kenya was represented by Rev.John Makokha (one of the panelists on Holistic health care for LGBTI), Anne Baraza and Peter Wanyama.