This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
December 21, 2019, marked a special day for the Kenyan lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) community as they celebrated their own version of Christmas, dubbed Queermas.
According to The Star, Queermas is a time for members of the gay community to gather and celebrate together, fighting against the loneliness that often accompanies the Christmas season.
For many in the Kenyan LGBTQ community, the holiday season can be a difficult and isolating time, as they are often shunned by their families and friends.
"There's a sense of community and it's a free space where you can enjoy things that you've grown up doing and are used to," said Kioko, who attended Queermas last year.
She added, "It's a safe space for us and it feels nice to know you're not alone."
Despite the growing popularity of Queermas, homosexuality remains a criminal act in Kenya, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, according to the country's penal code.
