How it’s like being a queer in Kenya: A Poem
Being Queer in Kenya has a lot of challenges: Things that makes my blood boil, Some that makes me want to scream, Some that makes me shiver in worry, Some that I just smile and walk away, And some that I just have to laugh at because they just don’t make sense.
I don’t know about you
But I love being in the closet
I love chipping in on homophobic conversations
Weird right? 😃
I always make sure I put across a point or two on the same
See and hear people make a fool of themselves
The judgement, the hatred, the ‘yakish’ reactions when they see a gay couple online
I act surprised too
‘Such a cute dude just decided to be sim 2?’
‘Such a pretty girl aliamua tu ni vidole?’ (such a pretty girl but she just decided fingers are better)[2]
I love gaslighting by the way
I love getting on people’s guts
You being homophobic means I’ll annoy you more just so I know your thoughts more[3]
Know how to tread around you
Oh this fight to love and be free,
At this age, I fear for my queer siblings,
The unconstitutional debates, I mean why are we even debating Human existence,
Love should not question who you love,
It should be greater, it should not divide us
I long the times when we won’t have to come out of the closet
We will just say we are in love and that will be all that matters.
I fear for my life,
When I think about some that have been killed
Others that have been violated,
I fear what would become of me
What happens when my neighbors find out?
Am I even safe heading home late?
Will it ever be safe to live in a country that shames me?
What happens if the bills around get passed?
Should I find a way to just live?
I bleed everytime one of us dies,
When I think of Sheila
I remember the pain they felt
The torture and agony
Yet it all happened in their house
The one place you would never expect to die so brutally
The one place we all should feel safe
The one place we fine peace!
And yet the courts have been silent about this
With all the evidence, the case is still open
It’s been an year and no justice yet
A blind person can actually see the bias that’s in this court
Today there’s actually a hearing
One like a finger, one hearing is scheduled
I’m not sure whether to still hold on hope
All should I just let go.
I fear my family and colleagues
The homophobia is too loud that it gets deafening
Everyone has got something hateful to say
Even the holier than thou ones have insults streaming down like a river
Because ooh dear they believe we are the worst bunch
When it comes to the LGBTQIA community. the worst sin is to belong
In this case its they even claim it’s the biggest sin…
Yet it’s written all sins are actually equal!
I wish we would all find long lasting solutions
To all our fears
To all the hate and spite
To the insecurities
For the sake of or Safety
I wish we could find a way out!
© Voice-Kenya