Plans for a family values conference, scheduled for next month at a prominent hotel in Nairobi, have ignited significant controversy, particularly among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in Kenya. The venue, Boma Hotel, is co-owned by the Kenya Red Cross Society, which has led to accusations of hypocrisy given the organization's previous commitments to supporting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
The planned event, titled the Pan American Conference on Family Values, is set to take place from May 12-17 and will feature prominent speakers from the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland. These speakers are affiliated with organizations known for their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights worldwide, leading local queer rights groups to protest the event.
Kenyan advocacy groups, including Upinde Advocates for Inclusion, the Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination, and the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, have raised concerns about the conference. They argue that hosting such an event contradicts the Kenya Red Cross's humanitarian mission and could jeopardize the safety and dignity of people living with HIV, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. “As the principal recipient of Global Fund in Kenya, hosting this event contradicts the Red Cross’s humanitarian mission,” they stated.
These groups have initiated an online petition titled “Tell Red Cross Kenya Not to Give Hate a Platform,” which has already garnered over 1,000 signatures toward their goal of 10,000. The petition is directed at Red Cross Kenya Secretary-General Ahmed Idris and Abbas Gullet, a director of the hotel. It calls for the immediate cancellation of the event, urging the Red Cross to reaffirm its commitment to human rights, health, and inclusivity.
The Red Cross, however, has maintained that the Boma Hotel operates independently, despite public records indicating their shareholder status. The LGBTQ+ groups argue that the hotel should serve as a safe and inclusive space, rather than facilitating gatherings that promote hate and exclusion.
Speakers and Organizations Involved
The conference is expected to attract a range of speakers and organizations known for their conservative views on family and LGBTQ+ issues. Among the U.S. guest speakers are Austin Ruse, President of C-FAM; Travis Wever, Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at the Family Research Council; and Thomas W. Jacobson, Executive Director of the Global Life Campaign.
Participating organizations include Family Watch International from the U.S., CitizenGo from Spain, the Ordo Luris Institute from Poland, and Christian Council International from the Netherlands. Local partners include the National Council of Churches of Kenya and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya.
Local and International Reactions
The hosting of this conference has attracted a spectrum of responses. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups warn that allowing the conference to proceed could harm the relationship between the Red Cross and marginalized communities that rely on their support. They assert that providing a platform for such events is a stark contradiction to the values of inclusivity and nondiscrimination that the Red Cross professes to uphold.
Conversely, CitizenGo and other participating organizations have criticized the LGBTQ+ groups for attempting to silence the event. Ann Kioko, CitizenGo’s campaign director for Africa and the U.N., described the LGBTQ+ groups as “radical activist groups” and defended the conference’s focus on affirming the traditional family structure. Kioko accused these groups of trying to impose foreign ideologies on Africa, which she claims have adverse effects on family and societal values.
Ongoing Efforts and Implications
The controversy continues to unfold as both sides engage in efforts to influence public opinion. The LGBTQ+ groups persist in their campaign to prevent the conference, with ongoing signature collection efforts and public awareness initiatives. Meanwhile, supporters of the conference are conducting a counter-campaign to gather support for their event and defend their stance on family values.
As the debate intensifies, the situation highlights broader tensions between traditional values and modern human rights discourses in Kenya. The outcome of this dispute could set precedents for how future conflicts between these perspectives are navigated in the country.
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