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Queer Kenyans living with HIV/AIDS face a double burden of stigma and discrimination due to their LGBTQ identity and HIV status.

In a new report in Kenya (Nefaq), the national empowerment network of people living with HIV and AIDS is also paying attention to this reality, as well as queer people who criticize and discriminate against each other for their HIV status.

In a 2024 report released by Nephak on March 3rd, titled “People Living With the HIV Stigma Index Assessment,” entitled “People Living with the HIV Stigma Index Assessment,” stigma and discrimination vary across Kenya’s population, queer people are affected by the double burden of LGBTQ identity and HIV-positive status.

“For example, gays and men (MSMs) who have sex with men feel alienated and devalued, often report being labelled as immoral and unworthy individuals,” the 78-page report states. “They are frequently responsible for their HIV-positive status, shunned by their family, friends and neighbors, and warn them from their relationship with their children.”

A NEPHAK survey sampled a total of 1,305 people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide. Of these, 322 or 24.6% were important populations that included gay men, transgender people, sex workers and people who inject drugs. Of the 322 people in the main population surveyed, 85 were gay men and 60 were trans.

The 21-person national steering committee of the survey, chaired by Kenya CEO Dorothy Onyango, the female-aid CEO, includes Solomon Wamb, a major population consortium, Ludfine Bunde of UNAIDS, and Alan Maleche of Kerin Kenya.

The general findings of the report note that HIV-related stigma and discrimination are concerns in Kenya, and low levels of HIV disclosure within families. For example, 56% of respondents revealed that their spouses have known their HIV status, but only 28.7 said they knew. In the survey, approximately half of respondents said their partner was HIV positive, compared to 36.5% said their partner was negative.

Regarding HIV testing, 62.5% of respondents chose to take the test voluntarily, while 97.2% of respondents said they were receiving HIV treatment.

The report also states that 15.3% of respondents revealed their HIV status to others by healthcare workers without consent at the healthcare facility. 29% said it was unclear whether medical records were kept confidential.

The survey lists discriminatory statements from others as 27.8%, discriminatory comments from family and friends, 24% oral harassment, and 22% of HIV-related stigma and discrimination faced by people living with the virus.

“As mentioned by those living with HIV who participated in the 2024 Stigma Index study, if HIV-related stigma and discrimination are not touched, there is no way to draw out HIV treatment goals of 95.95.95 and participate in the world to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

She reiterated that HIV-related stigma and discrimination continue to prevent HIV prevention efforts, treatment and care interventions, among all and all populations in Kenya’s 47 counties.

“Whether there are adolescent girls and young women, major groups, sex workers, men who have sex with men, trans people, drugs/people who use drugs, or people who use drugs, stigma remains high,” Onyango said.

The reported collapse of stigma in the main population revealed that 48.3% and 31.7% of trans people who reported experiencing verbal harassment reported cases of fearful mail, while 28.3% admitted that they did not seek health care. Another 36.7% of respondents said their families were discriminating because of gender identity. Of the 60 trans people surveyed, 41, or 68.3%, said they belonged to a network or support group of trans people.

Almost half of the 85 gay people surveyed, or 48.2%, experienced verbal harassment, with 50% indicating that their family and friends discriminating against them. Another 39.5% said they were afraid to seek health care. 38.8% avoided seeking treatment due to concerns about their identity being exposed, and 81.2% said they belonged to the MSM network.

“Many MSMs were forced to hide their identities and remained closed, further segregating these discriminatory attitudes.

Furthermore, it points out that MSM’s fundamental rights are frequently ignored or rejected, vulnerable to verbal and physical attacks, unstable and marginalized. Religious communities also further segregate homosexuals and promote stigma that contributes to their isolation.

“I experienced discrimination and stigma in a church where MSM committed evil and sin. “In addition, there was a case of discrimination among my HIV-negative MSM friends when they refused to share a drink with us who tested positive for example.”

Another MSM who lives with HIV is very difficult to realize that he is revealing his status, and even from his partner, there is their family and community due to stigma.

“I went to a certain facility and one of the healthcare workers told me. The activities you engaged in (having sex with fellow men) should be prayed to stop when you are in danger,” they told researchers at Nephak.

However, some MSMs who live in HIV pointed out that they would join the support group after learning that their status had a positive impact.

“It was comforting to meet people who had the same status,” one MSM told researchers at Nephak. “This is because we can share ideas and experiences and give each other advice on how to live proactively.

The report encourages relevant organizations and major population consortiums to create awareness campaigns to tackle stigma and discrimination against queer HIV/AIDS people. It also calls for households, communities and related institutions to be more sensitive by living with HIV/AIDS and working with religious leaders to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

The report further urges relevant health agencies and partner organizations to broaden their knowledge of law, privacy and confidentiality among authorities, managers, clergy and the general public.