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this is what is happening to LGBTI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya (thread)
[warning: graphic content containing reports of assault, sexual violence and suicide]
![this is what is happening to LGBTI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya (thread)[warning: graphic content containing reports of assault, sexual violence and suicide]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5LVRVXYAAr81F.jpg "this is what is happening to LGBTI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya (thread)[warning: graphic content containing reports of assault, sexual violence and suicide]")
[warning: graphic content containing reports of assault, sexual violence and suicide]
Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya is home to 200 LGBTI refugees who mostly reside in Block 13. these queer people fled their home countries (Uganda, Somalia, Sudan) because their nations have laws/societal beliefs which criminalise homosexuality amd gender nonconformity.
however, for the past decade this community has been living in what they call "hell".
1. they are being attacked, raped and killed
on a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police.
[Facebook: June 19th, 2020]
![1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5OXd3U0AEO4Q_.jpg "1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]")
![1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5OYSsVAAAzy56.jpg "1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]")
![1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5OZCaUcAIpmsg.jpg "1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]")
![1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5OZwzX0AA8ALK.jpg "1. they are being attacked, raped and killedon a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police. [Facebook: June 19th, 2020]")
on a regular basis, LGBTI refugees in Kakuma are violated by: other refugees, Kenyan citizens and the Kenyan police.
[Facebook: June 19th, 2020]
these pictures were taken on June 19th, 2020 when this community suffered 2 large-scale attacks.
after this incident the UNHCR assured the world that these attacks (which have been documented since 2010) would stop.
they didn't.
July 19th, 2020: four lesbian women were brutally beaten, cut and gang-raped on their way home.
they didn't.
July 19th, 2020: four lesbian women were brutally beaten, cut and gang-raped on their way home.
2. their homes are being looted and burnt
because their homes are destroyed, many LGBTI refugees in Kakuma have been left homeless.
(I'm sure i don't need to remind anyone that this is during a pandemic.)
because their homes are destroyed, many LGBTI refugees in Kakuma have been left homeless.
(I'm sure i don't need to remind anyone that this is during a pandemic.)
young children (and adults) are exposed to the harsh weather, several cases pf pneumonia have been reported. and none of the refugees are being screened for COVID-19.
[Facebook]
![young children (and adults) are exposed to the harsh weather, several cases pf pneumonia have been reported. and none of the refugees are being screened for COVID-19.[Facebook]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5RzzQU4AMqG4U.jpg "young children (and adults) are exposed to the harsh weather, several cases pf pneumonia have been reported. and none of the refugees are being screened for COVID-19.[Facebook]")
![young children (and adults) are exposed to the harsh weather, several cases pf pneumonia have been reported. and none of the refugees are being screened for COVID-19.[Facebook]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5R0oeVoAUZ7_l.jpg "young children (and adults) are exposed to the harsh weather, several cases pf pneumonia have been reported. and none of the refugees are being screened for COVID-19.[Facebook]")
[Facebook]
3. they are abused and arrested by the Kenyan police
in Kenya, "homosexual activity" is punishable by 14 years in prison.
thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.
[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]
![3. they are abused and arrested by the Kenyan policein Kenya, "homosexual activity" is punishable by 14 years in prison. thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5ThxlU0AAIHBN.jpg "3. they are abused and arrested by the Kenyan policein Kenya, \"homosexual activity\" is punishable by 14 years in prison. thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]")
![3. they are abused and arrested by the Kenyan policein Kenya, "homosexual activity" is punishable by 14 years in prison. thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5TiXxU0AEqsBM.jpg "3. they are abused and arrested by the Kenyan policein Kenya, \"homosexual activity\" is punishable by 14 years in prison. thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]")
in Kenya, "homosexual activity" is punishable by 14 years in prison.
thus, the police (who put people in prison) are inherently homophobic.
[Max Bearak - March 19th, 2019]
the police often use the law as a pretext to harass and discriminate against LGBTI refugees. queer refugees accuse the police of unwarranted arrests, torture and sexual abuse.
[April 2020: UK County Policy and Information Note Kenya]
![the police often use the law as a pretext to harass and discriminate against LGBTI refugees. queer refugees accuse the police of unwarranted arrests, torture and sexual abuse.[April 2020: UK County Policy and Information Note Kenya]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ed5UXatUcAIVDzp.jpg "the police often use the law as a pretext to harass and discriminate against LGBTI refugees. queer refugees accuse the police of unwarranted arrests, torture and sexual abuse.[April 2020: UK County Policy and Information Note Kenya]")
[April 2020: UK County Policy and Information Note Kenya]
4. some refugees are driven to suicude
April 13th, 2020: Aneste Mweru, a 28 year old gay Ugandan man, travelled to the UNHCR offices in Nairobi to ask for food.
Instead of receiving food, witnesses report that he was mercilessly beaten by homophobic police officers.
April 13th, 2020: Aneste Mweru, a 28 year old gay Ugandan man, travelled to the UNHCR offices in Nairobi to ask for food.
Instead of receiving food, witnesses report that he was mercilessly beaten by homophobic police officers.
Mweru took his own life shortly afterwards. he hung himself with a scarf at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) offices: the very offices that were made to protect refugees like Aneste. https://www.mambaonline.com/2020/04/15/desperate-and-hungry-lgbtq-refugee-hangs-himself-in-kenya/
please, don't ignore them.
THEY'VE BEEN IGNORED FOR 10 YEARS
THEY'VE BEEN IGNORED FOR 10 YEARS
3 ways You can help LGBTI refugees in Kakuma Camp:
1. contribute to their Go Fund Me page:
because the refugees are attacked on a daily basis, there is a high need for medical supplies, food, etc. and some refugees require specialist treatment. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lgbtq-refugees-on-block-13-in-kakuma-camp?utm_source=facebook
1. contribute to their Go Fund Me page:
because the refugees are attacked on a daily basis, there is a high need for medical supplies, food, etc. and some refugees require specialist treatment. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lgbtq-refugees-on-block-13-in-kakuma-camp?utm_source=facebook
2. RETWEET RETWEET RETWEET
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE BEING VIOLATED
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE SLEEPING ON GRAVEL
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE BEING ATTACKED
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE BEING VIOLATED
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE SLEEPING ON GRAVEL
LGBTI REFUGEES IN KAKUMA ARE BEING ATTACKED
3. demand that UNHCR Kenya ( @Refugees @UNHCR_Kenya @UNHCRSouthernAF @RefugeesAfrica) evacuate all LGBTI refugees they placed in Kenya (a country which criminalises homosexuality). https://www.unhcr.org/ke/contact-us
for those of you who are interested in finding out more about the situation in Kakuma, here is a Google Drive folder with resources to aid you.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1cw3KTJYW9sChwuR23VxfmAhs644ZyAS7
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1cw3KTJYW9sChwuR23VxfmAhs644ZyAS7
Victor Mukasa is an incredible queer Ugandan activist who has many (almost daily) interviews with LGBTI residents of Kakuma on his Facebook Live.
follow him on Facebook for more information on Kakuma Camp.
https://www.facebook.com/victor.t.mukasa
https://www.facebook.com/victor.t.mukasa
Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.
[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]
![Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeJS8_PWAAA-ixU.jpg "Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]")
![Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeJS9SnXkAA4xpT.jpg "Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]")
![Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeJS9i4X0AUHZZS.jpg "Gilbert Kagarura is the spokesperson for LGBTI refugees in Block 13 of Kakuma Camp. he is also a photographer who provides regular updates on the situation in Kakuma.[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]")
[the 2nd and 3rd pictures were taken after four lesbian women were attacked on July 19th]
follow him on Facebook for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/gilbert.kagarura
https://www.facebook.com/gilbert.kagarura
the Rainbow Ambassadors Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that is managed by Ken Medlin, a prominent LGBTI activist based in the USA.
this Foundation provides safe housing, food and HIV medication services to LGBTI refugees and children in Kakuma.
this Foundation provides safe housing, food and HIV medication services to LGBTI refugees and children in Kakuma.
you can find them on Facebook/Instagram.
more importantly, please donate to the Rainbow Ambassadors Foundation so that they can provide safe housing for LGBTI refugees in Kakuma. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lgbtiq-refugee-safe-housing?sharetype=teams&member=4783660&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet
more importantly, please donate to the Rainbow Ambassadors Foundation so that they can provide safe housing for LGBTI refugees in Kakuma. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lgbtiq-refugee-safe-housing?sharetype=teams&member=4783660&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet
