But why not, Kenya? A Kenyan newspaper called The Weekly Citizen recently published photos and names of men and women who it claimed were gays and lesbians. They said the list contains men and women who are secret homosexuals but are known for their public anti-gay stands. Kenya is known for its strong anti-gay laws.
After sensationally releasing numerous Kenyans on their alleged list of gays and lesbians, a local tabloid (the Weekly Citizen Newspaper) sparked a discussion on social media.
They include a well-known radio host, a famous political journalist, a corruption whistleblower, and a self-described “gay mom.”
The list of names, which was revealed in the most recent issue of the gutter press, follows a contentious discussion about the High Court decision requiring the state to establish a gay and lesbian rights organisation.
The Kenyan tabloid, a weekly daily, makes an effort to emulate Red Pepper, a competitor in Uganda that caused a huge uproar by publishing images and names of gay and lesbian people living there.
Despite the fact that most Kenyans still view homosexuality as taboo, the alleged publication of the identities failed to spark the same uproar as in Uganda. This may be because Kenyan society is more liberal than that of any other nation in the area.
Kenyans have posted images of the tabloid’s front page on social media and criticised it as homophobic.
Lesbians and gays: human rights
The High Court has previously permitted gays and lesbians in Kenya to set up an umbrella organisation to fight for and defend their human rights.
The court ruled that the Constitution safeguards the rights of minorities, including gays, and ordered the Attorney General and the National Council of NGOs to register a gay and lesbian organisation.
However, the decision has encountered strong resistance from various political and religious organisations.
Binyavanga Wainaina, a self-described “gay mum,” criticised Deputy President William Ruto’s comments last week that Kenya would not tolerate homosexuality.
The DP had previously stated that the government will support the religious authorities in their objection to the High Court’s ruling requiring the registration of LGBT and lesbian organisations in Kenya.