Hello All.

My name is Callie Ann. I am creating this fundraiser to help my LGBTQ friends in Kenya find better and creative ways to survive the discrimination they experience out there. Find below the story of Walter and the reason for doing this.

In November 2019, I was attacked by a mob in Nairobi for being Gay. My attackers came at me so fast I couldn't defend myself, stop them or flee. They left me for dead when I passed out. I woke up at the hospital badly bruised and with a heightened sense of insecurity. After my discharge from the hospital, I fled from the deadly hostile environment in Nairobi and relocated to the Kenyan coast where my sexuality is unexposed. I was amazed to find an underground LGBTQ thriving community. All these happened before the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Being LGBT is a felony per Section 162 of the Kenyan Penal Code, punishable by 14 years' imprisonment, and any sexual practices between males (termed "gross indecency") are a felony under section 165 of the same statute, punishable by 5 years' imprisonment. 

The persecution, discrimination, and violence against the LGBT+ community are real in most parts of Africa. Despite these challenges, our community (100+ individuals) keeps on growing every day. These encouraged me to team up with a few like-minded individuals to set up a group called "Pride is Right". We are a small group of volunteers offering financial and emotional support and information to every gay person in our immediate environment without drawing attention to ourselves. Our ultimate aim is to give back dignity to every disadvantaged and persecuted member.

In order to achieve a more cohesive and progressive association, we have decided to move forward despite all odds. We have programs and activities lined up for the 2021 Pride Month in June and we hope to celebrate it in style while observing all Covid-19 safety procedures and guidelines. We have zoom meetings and group video calls from time to time where we offer our members support and vital information.

We found a safe, private, and secure recreational beachside property for lease. This we plan to transform into a place where every LGBT+ member in our community can come to relax, have meet-ups, romantic dates, coming-out parties, and other activities without the fear of threats, violence, or persecutions. This will go a long way to help us mitigate the challenges we face in the traditional "Hostile Environment" we find ourselves in.

To achieve all of these and even more, we need funds and your financial support will in no small measure help take us to where we want to be in the near future. Being open is important and only a safe space, caring and non-judgemental atmosphere can help our members overcome the daily traumatic experiences as it affects their physical and mental health.

We are reaching out through this platform for your financial and material support to help us continue with our life-changing activities as we continue our legal battles and campaign for change and a better system.