Kenya: Protect LGBT+ students in boarding schools
Campaign content
The comments made by the Education Cabinet Secretary are harmful as they sexualize children and also deny these children an opportunity to acquire the best levels of education in institutions of choice. These comments also violate children’s right to safety and protection.
Sending learners perceived to be LGBT+ to day schools destabilizes their education. It also puts them at risk of being disowned by their families, and/or attacks from homophobic members of the public.
The penal code of the Kenyan constitution article 162 and 165 criminalizes same-sex intimacy. And while there are petitions and court cases underway to correct that, this penal code continues to put in harm's way the lives of every LGBTIQ+ person in Kenya. With this directive by the Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, the harm has trickled down to children.
This is to call on all the allies from Kenya and across the world, media houses, and individuals from different walks of life to join us in signing this petition that will guarantee safety for kids in Kenya.
In December 2021, you made public comments giving directives to headteachers in boarding schools to remove all LGBTIQ+ learners to day schools. These comments are harmful and violate the students’ right to safety and protection. Sending LGBTIQ+ students to day schools would put them at risk of homophobic attacks by the public and their family members. We urge you to retract your statement publicly and work towards improving the safety of LGBTIQ+ students in Kenya.
As The Queer Republic, we are also seeking an audience with you to chart a better way forward for LGBTIQ+ learners.
More ways to take action today!
Justice for Carol: Stop lesbophobia in Brazil!
Carol Campelo, a 21-year-old lesbian, was brutally murdered in Maranhãozinho, a town in the Northeast of Brazil. Sign the petition to fight for justice.
Meta: Stop hate speech against LGBT+ people!
Meta is normalizing harmful speech against LGBT+ people on Facebook and Instagram. Sign the petition to demand Meta reverse these changes!
Argentina: Justice for lesbian hate crime victims
Help seek justice for victims of a horrific lesbophobic attack in Argentina. Demand legal action now!