HUSHED JINGLES BY  THE KENYAN HARSH.

By Lourence Z Misedah, BTM Correspondent.

The story of the newlywed gay couple has recently been a highlight in different parts of the world. This  came in just at the same time after the publication of a gay party published in one of the leading newspapers here in Kenya.

Whereas this has been one of the stories that has received coverage.  There are Kenyans who have legally registered their relationships in different cities in Europe just for this year only. Sitting at the Gay Activists Alliance Africa Residence, Arnold * who is currently on holiday from Europe shared pictures of his wedding that took place in Germany this year. 

However, this is not the living reality of many of the gay men in Kenya who do not have the privilege to travel abroad to legally bind their relationships. There are several gay couples who are living together and whose relationships are recognized within the circles and some to the family members. 

Just recently in May 2009 for instance, there was an anniversary celebration of two gay couple who have been living together, despite the fact that same sex unions are not legal, this couple chose not to be hindered to live together and share their love which they celebrated with a number of people from the community who were invited for the same.

There is however a high level of secrecy for this couples who may pass as average friends or brothers to the public, something that may lead to public attack as the case of Mr. Were * who has been staying with his partner for 3 years. Situations of which have led very many couples to live in silence.

KENYA UPDATE - POLITICS AND PLANNING IN HETERONORMATIVE SOCIETY

by IRMA Steering Committee Member Larry Misedah

Kenya has been seen as one of the progressive countries given a public health approach in dealing with MSM and WSW. The Kenya National AIDS Strategic Plan recognizes these subgroups as the most at risk populations which are part of the target groups for intervention in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

There have been research programs that have been carried out in both Nairobi and Mombasa about MSM. In one of the current research program led by Dr. Vasu and Dr. Theo, one of the recommendations was to have research on the efficacy of the different kinds of lubricant people use locally and their efficacy, a common idea shared with Ishtar MSM during their strategic Planning Process.

Where as it may be seen that the political situation in Kenya is different from the neighbouring East African Countries, the Constitutional Review Committee already pointed out that they will not include lesbian or gay issues in the constitution as this will lead to its rejection in the referendum - a controversial issue even within the National AIDS Intervention Programming. 

This therefore poses a major questions about the future of further researches i.e. on rectal microbicides in a heteronormative society where sex is only viewed when done through the vagina and the penis. This notwithstanding the fact that even heterosexual couples have anal sex and that most MSM in Nairobi also have sex with Women because of the cultural reasons that have led them to get married.

There is therefore a need for an analysis and proper strategies to be put in place to ensure the continuity of the already ongoing work that has been taking place and a bold step to take in issues of rectal microbicides in the already ongoing programs.  Perhaps an issue that needs to be picked up with the newly formed Panafrican MSM Network AMSHeR

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