Freedom in Speech

Written by Immah REID Wednesday, 06 June 2012 22:20

The Council for Global Equality has released a new NGO guide, Accessing U.S. Embassies: A Guide for LGBT Human Rights Defenders that 'highlights the various diplomatic tools that U.S. embassies use to advance a range of human rights and development objectives’.

The guide is one of the many good fortunes that are befalling the LGBTIQ movement in Kenya and may help us realize the optimistic goals that we have.

Could this be the Holy Grail that the community has been looking for in terms of access to the support of the rest of the diplomatic world? The American Embassy has not been the leading embassy in LGBTIQ rights within the country but their enthusiasm is very much appreciated. After President’s Obama’s announced support came the U.S Embassy’s consular for Mombasa and LGBT  liaison Officer Keith Gilges showed their support by making a key note address to the community in the previous IDAHO celebrations on 17the May 2012 held at the GoDown art centre.

This PDF document that is available will provide a guide to the two entities and create the path that will help them understand each other. Now the U.S. embassy shall learn more on the challenges and violations that the Kenyan LGBT community faces.

To the U.S. Embassy: thanks. To the Kenyan LGBT rights defenders: the ball is in our side.