{"id":26286,"date":"2022-02-07T06:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T06:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/?post_type=story&#038;p=26286"},"modified":"2025-08-04T10:10:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T10:10:29","slug":"caroline-lgbtqai-defender-kenya","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/caroline-lgbtqai-defender-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"Caroline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"o-block-row o-wrapper u-padding-vertical-large o-content split_content alignfull\" id=\"split-content-block_0919826132748dfa10c1ba7699241e62\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-layout \">\n\n\n    \n      <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-2\/3@tablet\">\n        \n        <div >\n          <p>07-02-2022<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kenya still criminalizes same-sex relations. As a result, LGBTQAI+ persons face violence, stigma and discrimination in their communities and in accessing services.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Caroline Rucah is a Kenyan LGBTQAI+ rights defender from Kenya and former guest of\u00a0Shelter City Utrecht. Caroline is the Executive Director of the\u00a0<em>Western Kenya LBQT Feminist Forum<\/em>, a womxn-led intersectional feminist organization. They advocate for more inclusive policies, work to change the general perception on LGBTQAI+ persons, and to guarantee access to healthcare for LGBTQAI+ persons.<\/p>\n<p>Because of their work, Caroline has received many threats during their years of activism. During their stay in Shelter City Utrecht, they had the opportunity to focus on their wellbeing, raise awareness on the situation of LGBTQAI+ persons in Kenya, and engage with allies.<\/p>\n<h2>Being a queer person and LGBTQAI+ rights advocate<\/h2>\n<p>In this documentary with Shelter City Utrecht partner, PBI Nederland, Caroline shares their experiences on what it is like to be a queer person in Kenya and to be leading an intersectional feminist movement, with all the risks involved.<\/p>\n<div class=\"o-video-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PBI - Shelter City Utrecht: Short documentary of Kenyan LBQT human rights defender Caroline Rucah\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hN6lGzTRJbQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>We thank Caroline for sharing their journey, for shining a spotlight on all LGBTQAI+ individuals through their advocacy, and for dedicating themselves to a more fair world.<\/strong><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n      <\/div>\n\n    \n    \n      <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-1\/3@tablet\">\n\n        <div >\n                  <\/div>\n\n        \n      <\/div>\n\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"o-wrapper u-padding-top content alignwide alignfull\" id=\"content-block_bed66c19f8b714e08ff2cdb0cdff0ea0\">\n  <div class=\"o-layout\">\n    <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-2\/3@tablet\">\n\n      <div  class=\"o-callout o-callout--padded u-text-small u-fill-grey\" >\n        \n        <h3>We need your support<\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to supporters like you, defenders like Tsano, Iv\u00e1n, Nataliia, and Caroline have had access to a supportive and inspiring space in Shelter City Netherlands to re-energize, receive security training, and build an international network of solidarity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Your donation enables us to provide more support to LGBTQAI+ defenders at risk. Thank you for your trust!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n                  <div class=\"u-padding-vertical\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"c-btn c-btn--primary\"> Donate to Justice &#038; Peace <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        \n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"o-wrapper u-padding-vertical link alignwide alignfull\" id=\"link-block_9d925308d9b8153e022c2343b5c8cca0\">\n  \n      <h3 class=\"e-h1 u-margin-bottom\">Find more stories about LGBTQIA+ rights defenders<\/h3>\n  \n  \n    <div class=\"c-post-grid o-layout o-layout--stretch\">\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/ivan-lgbtqia-rights-panama\/ \" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_2814-scaled-e1706694186585.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Iv\u00e1n, striving for LGBTQIA+ freedom, inclusion, and equality in Panama<\/h4>\n    <p>A lawyer, diplomat, and human rights defender; Ivan had a catalytic role in the conceptualization, negotiation, and securing of significant agreements and protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This is his personal account on his impactful journey.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/ivan-lgbtqia-rights-panama\/%20\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Read Iv\u00e1n&#039;s blog story<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/nataliia-a-journalist-in-service-of-human-rights\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7M308818-scaled.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Nataliia, a journalist in service of human rights in Russia<\/h4>\n    <p>Dedicated to documenting and improving the situation for the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, and people living with HIV, Nataliia is faced with a complex reality. In this interview, she recounts her experiences and mission towards equality.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/nataliia-a-journalist-in-service-of-human-rights\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Find Nataliia&#039;s story<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/tsano-defending-intersex-transgender-rights-zimbabwe\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_7785-960x640-1.jpeg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Tsano, creating safe spaces for intersex and transgender persons in Zimbabwe<\/h4>\n    <p>Tsano is an activist striving for access to shelter, information, and resources in support of the intersex and transgender community and people living with HIV. In this documentary, they share more about their work shaping an inclusive and accessible world.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/tsano-defending-intersex-transgender-rights-zimbabwe\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Watch Tsano&#039;s documentary<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/leaving-no-one-behind-defending-lgbtqia-rights-in-the-contemporary-context\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1453-scaled.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Leaving no one behind: Defending LGBTQIA+ rights in the contemporary context<\/h4>\n    <p>Lasting change comes through sustained, community-driven efforts. In light of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, we share with you inspiring stories of hope for change and an invitation to make dignity and safety a shared reality for everyone.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/leaving-no-one-behind-defending-lgbtqia-rights-in-the-contemporary-context\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Read the article<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n  \n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>leading an intersectional feminist movement in Kenya<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-26286","story","type-story","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Caroline, leading an intersectional feminist movement in Kenya - Blogs - Justice &amp; 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