"It Kills the Freedom or the Spirit": Impact of Sexuality-Based Stigma and Discrimination on the Lives of Gay and Bisexual Men in Kenya

Background and Purpose: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Kenya are subjected to frequent experiences of sexuality-based stigma and discrimination, yet how these experiences relate to their overall mental well-being have remained understudied within the global literature. The aim of this study was to understand the everyday experiences with sexuality-based stressors GBM in Kenya encounter and how they react and respond to these stressors.

Methods: To address this, we conducted 60 individual in-depth interviews with GBM between the ages of 18-50 residing in Kisumu and Nairobi. Participants were recruited through in-person outreach by the research team at community-based organizations and health clinics that provide services to GBM. Analyses were conducted using a phenomenological approach.

Results: Out of the existing codes from the codebook, four key themes were selected related to how GBM in Kenya react to experiences of sexuality-based stigma and discrimination within their environment. These four themes included identity protection strategies, substance use, avoidance of healthcare providers and services, and living with fear of violence. These themes were selected because of how they were viewed as reactionary consequences to participants’ external environment.

Conclusions and Implications: GBM in Kenya live in a highly stigmatized environment that limits their ability to live as their authentic selves. The experiences shared by participants in this study explain some of the ways in which sexuality-based stigma and discrimination at multiple levels in society negatively impact the mental well-being of Kenyan GBM. A combination of policy approaches aimed at decriminalizing same-sex sexual behaviors and the development of interventions that can catalyze social change and bolster coping skills are needed to address the mental health challenges of Kenyan GBM.