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Is it safe for a gay couple to travel in Kenya?

by Steven
(USA)

I've read the info on this site about Kenya's laws governing gays and how they're not really enforced, but I'd appreciate some candid answers to my question. My partner and I are getting legally married and we want to visit Kenya for safari/beach on an escorted tour. The travel agent that I'm dealing with says we shouldn't have a worry - so long as we don't engage in open displays of affection (which is not our style anyway). But all my gay friends are telling me not to go, saying things like it only take one person to suspect you and report you to police and you're in trouble. Others suggest our guides and rangers may be openly hostile to gay couple. None of these people have actually been to Kenya, so I am really hoping to get more inside perspective here. We're really just two guys trying to plan the trip of a lifetime, and since our wedding falls in late August, our agent all but insists we visit Kenya because of the migration.
Any help will be so much appreciated. Thanks.

Comments for
Is it safe for a gay couple to travel in Kenya?

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Oct 01, 2010
 Thank you!
by: Steven

Thanks, everyone who has commented so far. I am booking this week. We are really looking forward to this very, very special trip.
Steven
Sep 07, 2010
 Is it safe for a gay couple to travel in Kenya?
by: Anonymous

Dear Steven,

No cause of alarm - feel free to visit

Happy travels

Peter.
Sep 03, 2010
 being gay and travel to Kenya
by: Irene

Dear Steven,

I have been in Kenya many times and have seen honestly many gays.. Europeans, but also Africans and mixed couples. And even if they dont 'show'sometimes they cant 'hide'..But still no one would suspect that the couple was gay because in Kenya often men or women hug each other, holding hands as friends and no one would think of accusing them of being gay.

Here in Europe it is not so common that we are psysical so seeing two men or woman holding hands is often a 'signal '.

The commotion about someone report you to the police when accused of being gay and you being in trouble is only because rencently a gay couple wanted to get married in Kenya. And that is still not allowed in Kenya and many other African countries. It turned out in a big drama and police had to rescue them from a angry mob.

I am sure when you just dont show any affection in public and why should you..
you wont have any trouble...

Being Gay in Kenya it is mainly not accepted but as anywhere else in the world there are also people who have accepted it.

You will enjoy your holiday and your safari and as Arjen the webmaster says you can share a room without being questioned. that is normal that 2 men share a room. And in the evenings when you sit in front of your tent at your verandah in the Masai Mara overlooking the river with hippo's you have privacy!

I wish you a very great sunny holiday with lots of wildlife. Dont think to much of it. Just enjoy! Kenyan people are in general very friendly..
Sep 03, 2010
 Not sure...
by: Arjen (webmaster)

Hi Steven,

I don't have experience in this myself, so I can only tell you what I heard and read here and there. In Kenya, homosexuality is basically seen as a distortion and/or an immoral thing. But my gut feeling is that if you don't show physical affection for each other, you are just two friends on a holiday. You would have to be comfortable with not being able to touch each other etc. You could maybe even share a tent when on safari without any explanation.

On the other hand, the hotels and resorts that cater to Westerners are used to Western lifestyles and as long as you are good guests, they won't. When in doubt, I would just call a hotel and ask. When they don't want you there, they will probably politely say so.

Kenyans are very polite, British-style, and will not easily comment or ask questions about your lifestyle. It will be people in the streets that you don't know who may react in a negative manner to gays, but hey, they won't be able to see that you are if you not walking hand in hand etc.

I can't imagine that you will get in trouble with the Kenyan law for just being gay - even if people would report you, if you haven't DONE anything, they would see no reason to hold you (and if they do, I suggest you read my page about corruption in Kenya ;-). They would get into major trouble with the US government if they did. Kenya is not the Middle East!

So, if I were gay I would visit Kenya in a low-key way.

But again, I hope other readers will correct me if I'm wrong. Have a nice trip.

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