Tag: Kenya

Emergency Funds Sought by ALLOUT African HRC for RefCEA and Kakuma LGBTI Refugees

March 31, 2020

ALL Out, African Human Rights Coalition and RefCEA Partner for COVID-19 Pandemic – DONATE HERE. My name is Geofrey and I’m one of the many LGBT+ refugees living in Kenya’s Kakuma camp, the largest refugee settlement in the world. I’m here because I had to flee my home country, Uganda. I would have been severely … More Emergency Funds Sought by ALLOUT African HRC for RefCEA and Kakuma LGBTI Refugees

LGBTI and All Refugees in grave danger during COVID-19 Pandemic

March 29, 2020

Among the most predictably vulnerable during the Corona Virus pandemic is clearly the world’s refugee and migration population and the most vulnerable of all refugees are LGBTQI refugees, worldwide. Over 70 countries criminalize LGBTI people for their sexuality and gender identity. Many have compromised immune systems, major trauma, and underlying medical conditions, all an added … More LGBTI and All Refugees in grave danger during COVID-19 Pandemic

UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

March 25, 2020

CAUTION: Please refrain from portraying certain situations inaccurately. We would advise you to be cautious and to verify information and facts prior to circulating unconfirmed COVID-19-related information further.  This can cause an enormous amount of harm to everyone. Be sure of your facts before you post them on Social Media. We caution anyone spreading any information to sure off the … More UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions

March 14, 2020

The Refugee Coalition of East Africa,(RefCEA) a strong body of refugees representing LGBTQI refuges in Kenya, is proving how dialogue and compromise can lead to solutions, through a series of meetings in Kenya. These meetings are undoubtedly serving the best interests of the tenuous LGBTQI refugee program’s ability to survive its stress and tests in … More LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions

LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

March 9, 2020

RefCEA Responds to Cessation of Funding with a call  for a Community Planning Session: First Reported at AFRICAN HRC HERE. Tuesday 10 March 2020, NAIROBI, KENYA – In recent weeks, HIAS (the Refugee Trust of Kenya) announced the cessation of funding for urban refugees located in greater Nairobi. These LGBTQI refugees were transplanted from the … More LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees

March 6, 2020

From African Human Rights Coalition HERE: A WARNING Regarding Refugee Protests 2020-03-06 | AFrican HRC, Volunteer Staff WARNING: WE ARE URGING LGBTI REFUGEES IN KENYA TO READ OUR ADVISORY BELOW AND CONSIDER REFRAINING FROM PROTESTS ANYWHERE IN KENYA AT THIS TIME WE ARE URGING POTENTIAL FUNDERS OF PROTESTS TO NOTE THIS ADVISORY To ALL refugees in Kenya: … More Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees

Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI

March 1, 2020

With a Focus on Kenya In a recent advisory written for African Human Rights Coalition it is noted that leadership has a heightened responsibility when staging protests, especially under circumstances that have wide far reaching impacts on entire LGBTQI refugee resettlement and protection programs. There has been widespread appreciation by those impacted, who have expressed … More Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI

African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

January 20, 2020

As Executive Director for African Human Rights Coalition, and as a follow up to the articles that have appeared on this BLOG reporting on the complex and disturbing situation involving LGBTQI refugees in Kenya, and more specifically Kakuma Camp, African HRC has issued 2 advisories on its website. Here is a snippet plus links to … More African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

Attacked While Asleep: LGBTQI Refugees injured in Orchestrated Homophobic Attacks at Kakuma Kenya

January 7, 2020

REAL TIME UPDATES- below this report. The 45 LGBTQI refugees who have been camped out at the UNHCR Kakuma Reception Center Gates have been beaten and injured in an attack tonight by a mob in white T Shirts. The report we have received is that this was an organized attack. The attackers apparently outnumbered the refugees. … More Attacked While Asleep: LGBTQI Refugees injured in Orchestrated Homophobic Attacks at Kakuma Kenya

Attacks against Trapped LGBTI Escalate at Kakuma under Failed Kenyan Protection

January 5, 2020

Solutions Awaited from UNHCR On December 21, 2019 in the early hours of the morning, over 40 plus LGBTI refugees were attacked in Kakuma Camp, Kenya. They fled and remain trapped at the UNHCR Reception Center gate at Kakuma refugee Camp, without safe access to food or water at this time. They have no papers … More Attacks against Trapped LGBTI Escalate at Kakuma under Failed Kenyan Protection

Allegations that UNHCR refusing water to attacked LGBTI Refugees at Kakuma Gate

January 1, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition is requesting Urgent Assistance and Investigations : Welcoming 2020 we see no help in sight? For the past 9 days, with thanks to the generosity of a volunteer and board member of African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC) food, water, juices and medicine have been provided to approximately 50 LGBTQI refugees … More Allegations that UNHCR refusing water to attacked LGBTI Refugees at Kakuma Gate

Kenya proves it can no longer Host LGBTI Refugees due to Escalating Violence

December 26, 2019

It is Xmas day. Two nights ago, while asleep for the first time in their new shelters at Kakuma Kenya, LGBTI refugees were attacked with sticks and fists.  Terrified they were about to be killed, some ran for the bushes and others risked camping outside the Reception Center in the hope that they may finally receive some real protection and security. … More Kenya proves it can no longer Host LGBTI Refugees due to Escalating Violence

Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

December 14, 2019

Catching up on the world. There is a lot going on – and here is a start: The Queer Displacements: Sexuality, Migration and Exile 2019 conference (Queer Displacements) was organised by two queer refugee women, emerging academics and activists Renee Dixson and Tina Dixson. Queer Displacements took place on the Traditional lands of the Ngunnawal … More Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

Poetry from Hell Part 5: Attacks on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya – I AM NOT FINE

December 6, 2019

I am sitting here at the end of my week, in my comfort. My home is warm. I have food in my belly and I am safe. This is not the case for our lGBTQI brothers and sisters at Kakuma Camp in Kenya, a country proving to be hostile host to gays, lesbians and transgender … More Poetry from Hell Part 5: Attacks on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya – I AM NOT FINE

Kakuma Crisis Gay Arrests Proves Kenya Hostile Host for LGBTI Refugees

December 1, 2019

In The Words of LGBTQI Refugees The words and pictures of LGBTI refugees stranded outside UNHCR Camp Kakuma in Kenya speak for themselves. We are seeking updates from UNHCR and RAS (Refugee Affairs Secretariat of Kenya). ARRIVAL… November 03 One is that all new LGBTI refugees who report to the UNHCR-KENYA are given movement passes … More Kakuma Crisis Gay Arrests Proves Kenya Hostile Host for LGBTI Refugees

Poetry From Hell Part 4: Kakuma Pain Zombies and Craving

November 28, 2019

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States of America. I decided I could not celebrate. Notwithstanding sitting in privilege – no thanks to THANKS helmed by a food mounded table. Not while my LGBTQI family is starving, unsheltered, violently pelted with words intended to shame, beaten, robbed, suffering cruel uncertainty. Again I couch my sadness … More Poetry From Hell Part 4: Kakuma Pain Zombies and Craving

I am Fasting to Protest America Turning its Back on LGBTI Refugees who are Starving This Thanksgiving

November 27, 2019

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” –   “I am fasting each Thanksgiving until America is restored to its values – where we welcome, shelter and protect refugees and asylum seekers with full robust and fast flowing open routes, where immigrants are treated with the absolute dignity and … More I am Fasting to Protest America Turning its Back on LGBTI Refugees who are Starving This Thanksgiving

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

Poetry from Hell Part 2: The Pain of Neglected LGBTI Kakuma Refugees

November 15, 2019

The words of a refugee suffering and bearing witness …. As I sit at my desk, with the Trump Impeachment hearings audible in the background, and Ambassador Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine, provides her poignant and moving testimony, I reflect on how the incompetent, crooked, corrupt, and maliciously xenophobic American who should NOT … More Poetry from Hell Part 2: The Pain of Neglected LGBTI Kakuma Refugees

Kenyan President Demonizes Gays Again

November 9, 2019

In Climate of Escalating Antagonism by Kenyan Authorities toward LGBTI refugees Following the recent endorsement by Kenya’s High Court where it refused to decriminalize Penal Codes criminalizing homosexuality, it is not surprising that President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has yet again demonized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community by declaring  homosexuality as unacceptable to Kenyan … More Kenyan President Demonizes Gays Again

The Poetic Pain of Hell Part 1: By an LGBTQI Refugee

November 5, 2019

So much pain reflected in the words of one LGBTQI refugee – and its speaks to the thousands who now seeking protection… Constantly escaping and escaping hate only to face hell Just this weekend I was honored to give a speech at the event hosted by Jill and Michael at Jillie’s Wine Bar and Shop … More The Poetic Pain of Hell Part 1: By an LGBTQI Refugee

Under Threat of WE WILL KILL YOU ALL Another LGBTI Person Beaten in Uganda

October 20, 2019

We have received a report from Uganda that another member of the LGBTI community has been brutally beaten with a threat “we will kill you all.” The number of beatings and murders of gay people in Uganda has been on the rise since recent hateful rhetoric delivered by Ugandan Government officials, including the threat to … More Under Threat of WE WILL KILL YOU ALL Another LGBTI Person Beaten in Uganda

Transgender Refugees Raided in Shelter Instead of Protected by Hostile Kenyan Police

October 18, 2019

Two days ago a supposed safe house sheltering transgender refugees near Nairobi Kenya (actual place purposely not mentioned for security reasons) was raided by the Kenyan police after complaints by local residents (host community) asserting that it was ‘inhabited by transgender people who were apparently in danger of corrupting the morals  of the neighborhood’s husbands … More Transgender Refugees Raided in Shelter Instead of Protected by Hostile Kenyan Police

LGBTI Refugees Arrested and Sent Back to Dreaded Kakuma Camp

June 20, 2019

Just this week I received the NLGJA Award for excellence in blogging. In December 2018 I had written about an attack on LGBTQI refugees while peacefully protesting the horrendous Kakuma Camp conditions and insecurities. Since the time of writing that article, many problems persisted and has brought LGBTI refugees back full circle to the dreaded … More LGBTI Refugees Arrested and Sent Back to Dreaded Kakuma Camp

Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

March 22, 2019

A Critical frontier for Human Rights Advocacy – Melanie Nathan (2019) – the subject of 2 Articles in global press- Harpers and Mamba-Online – elucidating a critical mess for LGBTQI refugees!  This week two articles have been written by accomplished journalists at two different corners of the world, reflecting on the stories of refugees attempting to avail … More Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa