Kenyans warn Obama: Spare us gay talk
Anti gay protesters in Kenya have taken to Twitter to warn the President to avoid the subject of homosexuality and gay rights during his upcoming visit to the country.
The social media campaign to dissuade President Obama from discussing pro-gay issues follows an anti-gay protest that took place in Nairobi earlier today.
Arranged by the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, the protest was meant to send a message to US President Barack Obama, who will visit Kenya later this month, with the group hoping to deter President Obama from speaking out about LGBT issues during his visit at the end of this month.
However, although many more were expected, reports by the Associated Press revealed that only around 35 turned up to the march.
“We are telling Mr Obama when he comes to Kenya this month and he tries to bring the abortion agenda, the gay agenda, we shall tell him to shut up and go home,” Kenyan MP Irungu Kangata told the few demonstrators who bothered to gather outside the Kenyan parliament, according to trust.org.
Many of the demonstrators wore t-shirts with the slogans “Protect the family match” and “Stand with the family”.
However, despite the disappointing turnout, nearly 3,000 tweets were sent on Monday morning regarding the President’s visit. #KenyansMessageToObama has been trending for most of the day, with one topic dominating the discussion – gay rights.
“Spare us the gay talk,” one user comments, while another tweets: “That gay vibe should remain in America.”
The visit will mark the first time President Obama has travelled to Kenya as US President.
However, the US Supreme Court’s ruling that same-sex marriage is legal across the United States – a decision that was hailed by Obama – has angered anti-gay protesters worldwide, including those in Kenya, an infamously homophobic country.
In addition, Obama has used previous trips to Africa to urge governments to decriminalise homosexuality. Gay sex is illegal in Kenya, and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
“We will not allow homosexuality in our society as it violates our religious and cultural beliefs.
“There’s no room for homosexuality in this country. That one I can assure you.”
