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LGBTQ Kenya Cases in Court in Pursuit of Justice Following Blackmail

Kenya’s LGBTQ Community has long been in the shadows, silent about blackmail and extortion on platforms like Facebook and Dating apps like Grindr. In Kenya, gay sex could land you in deep trouble, at times giving you a jail term of 14 years.

Petty criminals, organized gangs and at times even the police extort those found in uncompromising situations. This makes it dangerous for LGBTQ community members living in countries that have a hard stance on gay rights, especially African countries.

According to Nation.Africa, a handful of lawyers in Kenya have taken up the huge tasks of defending LGBTQ clients in court. Kenya rights groups like the Kenya National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) and Ishtar-MSM, which provide legal support to LGBTQ people, are currently working on ten cases in court.

A pro bono lawyer working with the two groups on seven cases says he hopes for some verdicts by the end of the year, “a positive verdict in any of these cases would be a big win, It will say (to the LGBTQ Community), ‘look the courts are here to serve you too”

Kenya is one of approximately 30 African countries where same sex relations are criminalized. Across the continent, punishments range from imprisonment to death.

A Kenyan opposition lawmaker proposed a similar bill to Uganda’s anti-gay law, which was passed last year. This has led to uproar from the Kenya LGBTQ Community.

Meeting people online, through gay escort websites, is now the best way to find LGBTQ members. On unverified dating apps, criminals pose as romantic partners who lure them to dates and the sexually assault them or rob them.

Be cautious with where you interact with members of the LGBTQ community. On Exotic, you will find genuine listings of gay escorts Africa

 

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