In coastal regions and across the nation, the GSM community faces ongoing challenges, including discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. Religious leaders and essential service providers (ESPs) play a crucial role as allies in creating safe spaces, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for the rights of LGBTIQ individuals. However, their commitment to support often puts them at risk, as they may encounter threats to their own safety due to the sensitive nature of these issues.

To address these challenges, a comprehensive three-day Safety and Security Training is set to take place from October 22 to 24, 2024. This initiative aims to equip religious leaders and ESPs with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively mitigate security risks while continuing their vital advocacy work for the LGBTIQ community.

Despite advancements in human rights advocacy, those who openly support the GSM community still face backlash and potential violence, particularly from conservative factions. Many allies lack the preparedness needed to protect themselves and their communities from potential attacks, both online and offline. The stress of operating under constant threat can also impact their mental health, hindering their ability to provide consistent support. This training seeks to empower these allies to navigate these challenges safely and effectively.

The primary objectives of the Safety and Security Training include enhancing personal and community safety by equipping participants with risk assessment, conflict de-escalation techniques, and crisis management skills. Additionally, the training will focus on mitigating the impact of hate-based attacks and strengthening psychological resilience to cope with social pressures and personal threats. A key component will be fostering collaboration among religious leaders, ESPs, and civil society organizations to establish safety protocols and emergency response strategies.

The training will target two main groups: religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds who promote inclusivity and social justice, and ESPs, including healthcare providers and law enforcement officers, who deliver critical services to the GSM community. A total of 30 participants are expected to take part.

The training content will cover essential topics over the three days. The first day will focus on understanding security risks and threats, including identifying potential risks and utilizing risk assessment tools. The second day will address safety protocols and response strategies, emphasizing personal safety techniques and emergency response planning. The final day will concentrate on psychological resilience and the importance of support networks, offering resources for managing stress and trauma associated with advocacy work.

Utilizing a participatory approach, the training will feature interactive workshops, real-life case studies, and role-playing exercises. Participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning, sharing insights and best practices from their experiences.

At the conclusion of the training, participants will possess the skills to assess and respond to security risks effectively. They will be better equipped to manage threats to their safety and that of those they support, while gaining access to networks and resources for collaborative security measures. Enhanced psychological resilience will empower them to continue their work in fostering inclusivity and safe spaces for the LGBTIQ community.

The training will be facilitated by the Defenders Coalition, which includes experts in human rights advocacy and security, alongside psychologist and mental health professional Swabra Mumba. Coordination will be handled by Pema Kenya.

This Safety and Security Training represents a vital step toward creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTIQ individuals and their allies. By providing religious leaders and ESPs with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate security risks, this initiative aims to foster safer communities and promote human rights for all.

On October 3rd and 4th, 2024, Pema Kenya will host a Coast Leadership Convening in Mombasa, bringing together SOGIE-led and Key Population (KP)-led civil society organizations (CSOs) from Mombasa County. Founded in 2008, Pema Kenya is a membership-based organization dedicated to creating an enabling environment for its members and the broader community, focusing particularly on Gender and Sexual Minority (GSM) individuals.

In recent years, particularly last year, the coastal region of Kenya has experienced a rise in anti-gender movements fueled by conservative ideologies and increased political mobilization against gender and sexual diversity. These movements have resulted in heightened stigma, discrimination, and violence targeting GSM and KP individuals. Harmful narratives portraying GSM persons as threats to cultural values have led to their marginalization, while legislative efforts at both national and county levels, influenced by anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, have created significant barriers to accessing healthcare, justice, and protection. Community-led organizations that advocate for GSM rights have also become frequent targets of social and political attacks, making their work increasingly challenging.

In this context, the convening aims to facilitate network building and collaborative efforts among SOGIE-led and KP-led CSOs and Social Justice Centers (SJCs). The need for strengthened collaboration is urgent, as the GSM community faces escalating violence, stigma, and legal persecution. By uniting CSOs, the convening will enable participants to share resources, expertise, and strategies to address threats collectively. This platform will foster trust and collaboration, allowing participants to develop joint action plans to enhance the security, visibility, and advocacy capabilities of their organizations.

The objectives of the convening are clear: to strengthen the capacity of SOGIE-led and KP-led CSOs in safety and security response mechanisms; to build and enhance networks between coastal region CSOs and SJCs; to facilitate knowledge sharing on best practices and advocacy strategies; and to engage participants in developing joint action plans for safety and rights-based advocacy for the GSM community.

Key areas of focus during the convening will include discussions on the impact of anti-gender movements on policy and service delivery for GSM communities, training sessions on personal and organizational safety covering physical and digital security threats, and leadership development aimed at strengthening the advocacy capabilities of CSO leaders. Participants will also engage in exercises to foster solidarity and identify collaborative opportunities, as well as discussions aimed at improving relationships with local stakeholders, including law enforcement and health providers.

Expected outcomes of this initiative include increased leadership capacity among CSOs, the development of a network committed to advocating for GSM rights, a comprehensive action plan to mitigate the effects of anti-gender movements, and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders to promote GSM rights and safety.

This convening represents a critical step toward creating a more inclusive and safer environment for GSM individuals in the coastal region of Kenya. By enhancing leadership capacity, improving security response mechanisms, and fostering collaboration, Pema Kenya aims to empower CSOs and SJCs to effectively combat the rising tide of discrimination and violence against GSM individuals, ensuring a more equitable future for all.

On September 24th and 25th, 2024, Pema Kenya hosted an inception meeting in Mombasa County, focused on improving access to justice for Gender and Sexual Minority (GSM) persons. Pema Kenya, a membership-based organization founded in 2008, is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for its members and the broader community. As a GSM-led organization, Pema works closely with Gender and Sexual Minority individuals and communities, along with various stakeholders, to bridge the gap between the general population and the GSM community.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of participants, including lawyers, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), court assistants, probation officers, and members of civil society organizations and social justice centers. This collaborative initiative recognized that Gender and Sexual Minority individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community, often face significant discrimination and prejudice within societal structures, particularly in the justice system. Despite the existence of progressive legal frameworks in many areas, systemic barriers, bias, and a lack of understanding continue to hinder the realization of rights for these individuals.

To address these critical issues, Pema Kenya aimed to raise awareness among judicial service officers about the unique challenges faced by Gender and Sexual Minority persons within the justice system. The meeting also sought to provide insights into existing legal frameworks and international human rights standards that protect the rights of these individuals. Sensitization on issues related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and expression was another key objective, aiming to foster a more inclusive and unbiased justice system. Additionally, the meeting sought to establish a collaborative platform for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Pema Kenya and judicial service officers to enhance access to justice for Gender and Sexual Minority persons.

The expected outcomes of this initiative include increased awareness and understanding among judicial service officers regarding the challenges faced by Gender and Sexual Minority individuals, enhanced knowledge of legal frameworks and human rights standards, improved sensitivity and responsiveness towards GSM issues, and the establishment of a foundation for ongoing collaboration between Pema Kenya and judicial service officers.

This inception meeting represents a vital step toward laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and just legal system that respects and upholds the rights of Gender and Sexual Minority persons. Through collaborative efforts, Pema Kenya aspires to create a positive impact on the lives of those seeking justice, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

September marks Bisexual Visibility Month, a dedicated time to recognize the contributions, experiences, and challenges of the bisexual community. This year, our campaign aims to amplify bisexual inclusivity through community engagement, fostering vital conversations that promote understanding, representation, and acceptance of bisexual individuals. The campaign has several key objectives: raising awareness about bisexual identities and the unique challenges faced by bisexual individuals; advocating for inclusive environments across workplaces, educational institutions, and social spaces; empowering bisexual voices by providing platforms for community members to share their stories; and facilitating community engagement to foster a sense of belonging and solidarity through collaborative events and initiatives.

The campaign will primarily target bisexual individuals and their allies, LGBTQ+ organizations and activists, and the general public to cultivate a better understanding of bisexuality. Key messages include affirming that bisexuality is a valid sexual orientation deserving of visibility and respect, emphasizing that true inclusivity encompasses all identities, and challenging stereotypes that contribute to misunderstandings surrounding bisexuality.

To achieve these goals, the campaign will include various components such as research and storytelling, educational workshops, a social media campaign, and resource distribution. Multimedia platforms will be created for bisexual individuals to share personal stories and challenges through video testimonials and blogs. Additionally, a survey will gather data to be translated into infographics. Educational workshops, known as Barazas, will focus on educating the community about bisexuality, biphobia, and how to be effective allies. A social media campaign will launch using the hashtag #PEMABiVisibility, inviting individuals to share their experiences and support for bisexual visibility, along with virtual discussions.

The implementation timeline includes creating promotional materials and launching the social media campaign. Weekly storytelling events and workshops during the BISEXUAL BARAZAS will allow participants to share personal stories, discuss current issues such as biphobia and representation, learn about the complexities of bisexuality, and foster community connections. A trivia night themed around Bi-Visibility will further engage and educate participants. Following the campaign, a post-campaign phase in October will focus on evaluating the impact of the initiative and gathering feedback, ensuring continued engagement through follow-up events and projects that sustain visibility efforts. This Bisexual Visibility Month campaign represents a crucial opportunity to elevate bisexual voices and create a more inclusive world. By collaborating with bisexual community members and engaging allies, we can challenge misconceptions and celebrate the rich diversity within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, inspiring lasting change and affirmation of bisexual identities so that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.