Across Kenya, dangerous practices claiming to “cure” LGBT+ people are leaving survivors with lasting physical and psychological trauma.
“Conversion practices” is an umbrella term for harmful interventions that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
These efforts are based on the medically false and dangerous belief that being LGBT+ is an illness that needs to be treated or fixed.
These practices are often hidden from public view, taking place in religious, familial, or therapeutic settings where confidentiality is enforced and scrutiny is avoided. They almost always involve psychological violence, and in some cases, physical violence as well.
“Conversion practices are not kind, they are very inhumane …
they disconnect the person from the community in a way that they no longer feel safe in whatever space they get in”
Kigezo, Clinical Psychologist
Survivors of so-called "conversion practices" and the professionals working to end them in Kenya share their experiences. Their stories expose the harm caused by these practices and the urgent need for protection. Watch their testimonies and learn how they're fighting back.
Content Warning: These stories include references to death, violence, emotional and physical abuse. Please take care while watching.
Call on Kenya’s religious leaders to stop “conversion therapies”
Across Kenya, LGBT+ individuals are pressured to undergo dangerous “conversion practices” under the guise of religious care. These efforts are based on the false idea that LGBT+ identities are wrong — and they cause deep, lasting harm.
Kenyan activists are urging the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) to publicly condemn these practices and affirm the rights of all people to live in dignity and truth.
Call on Google and Bing to stop prioritizing harmful content
Google’s and Bing’s search results in Swahili are filled with dangerous misinformation promoting harmful “conversion practices” for LGBT+ people.
Ask them to prioritize accurate, affirming information to safeguard lives.
Looking for resources?
Find inclusive, affirming information on LGBT+ identities in English and Swahili here.
All Out, together with our local partners, continues to fight for a comprehensive ban of so-called “conversion therapies” worldwide. Some of these campaigns have already been successful.
Together with ILGA Asia, All Out has launched a major campaign calling for a legal ban on so-called “conversion therapies” in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Join 29,000 people from around the world who have already signed our petition to urge the Colombian government to approve the “Inconvertibles” law and ban “conversion therapies” in Colombia!
"Conversion therapies" can amount to torture. That’s why we're pushing to include specific protections for LGBT+ people in the Brazilian anti-torture law.
All Out is able to run and win campaigns like these thanks to the steadfast support from dedicated members. Through a small donation, you can give us the support we need to jump into action and fight tirelessly for the safety and dignity of LGBT+ people around the world.
Make a donation today and fuel the fight to end so-called “conversion practices” .
This campaign is supported by research from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, documenting how online misinformation fuels harmful conversion practices worldwide.
