This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
On September 1, 2019, Paul Lukas, a Kenyan man living in the United States, took to social media to publicly declare his sexual orientation.
Lukas, a mass communication graduate and Alaska Airlines employee, shared his story on Facebook, stating that he was tired of hiding his status and wanted to live openly as a gay man.
"I just want everyone to know me and accept me. Yes, I am gay and want to live my life," he wrote.
Despite facing rejection from some members of his family, Lukas found acceptance and love from others, and he expressed his gratitude for their support.
His decision to come out publicly comes at a time when Kenya's Penal Code still criminalizes same-sex relations, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison for "carnal knowledge… against the order of nature" and five years for "indecent practices between males."
