At a press conference Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, President Obama said countries should not discriminate based on sexual orientation. Responding to a question on the treatment of gay and lesbians in Kenya, which rights groups have called dismal, and President Kenyatta has called a non-issue, Obama said,
“Similarly, with respect to the rights of gays and lesbians, I’ve been consistent all across Africa on this. I believe in the principle of treating people equally under the law, and that they are deserving of equal protection under the law and that the state should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. And I say that, recognizing that there may be people who have different religious or cultural beliefs. But the issue is how does the state operate relative to people.”
Responding to that same question Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta referred to gay rights as a “non-issue” for Kenyans saying, “… But there are some things that we must admit we don’t share — our culture, our societies don’t accept. It is very difficult for us to be able to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept. This is why I repeatedly say that, for Kenyans today, the issue of gay rights is really a non-issue. We want to focus on other areas that are day-to-day living for our people.”
In response to Saturday’s press conference, Eric Gitari, head of a leading Kenyan LGBT organization, the National Lesbian and Gay Association spoke to the Washington Blade saying, “We feel excluded: That’s what Kenyatta is sending as a message.” In a statement the organization also said, “We encourage Mr. Kenyatta to endeavor to appreciate the stigma, violence and violations experienced by Kenyan gays and lesbians and how these degrading acts reduce the contribution by Kenyan gays and lesbians to the development of this resilient nation.”
Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global said, “President Obama continues to show tremendous leadership on this issue and we commend him for speaking out on the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect, no matter who they are or whom they love, or what country they live in. We sincerely hope that President Kenyatta and other African leaders listen to the voices of their own citizens who feel excluded from society, and live in daily fear of violence and discrimination.”
