Panel Discussion: To be Kenyan, Christian and Queer Event

“In struggle is our history, our language and our being. That struggle begins wherever we are, then we become part of those millions dreaming to change the world.”

Kenyan writer and thinker Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s powerful words open Aiwan Obinyan’s short film Kenyan, Christian, Queer, an intimate story of the queer community surrounding Nairobi’s first LGBTQ church: The Cosmopolitan Affirming Community. The film is screening in Africa in Motion alongside Peter Murimi’s feature documentary I am Samuel, a raw and honest portrait of a queer Kenyan man torn between balancing duty to his family with his dreams for the future, in a country where his love is criminalised. Join Aiwan and Peter, alongside LGBTQ activists working on the ground, in this discussion about the films and the broader context of life in Kenya’s LGBTQ community, as well as the eternal contradictions of Christianity, as the historical driving force behind much of the country’s homophobia, but also as a progressive site for queer inclusion, joy and acceptance.

Panellists: Aiwan Obinyan, Director of Kenyan, Christian, Queer; Peter Murimi, Director of I am Samuel; David Ochar, Co-Founder Cosmopolitan Affirming Community (CAC); and Festus Kisa, Director of Q-Initiative (C.B.O). Moderator: Kevin Mwachiro, writer, activist and founder of Out Film Festival.

This discussion is held in partnership with Film Africa and Out Film Festival. The panel will be live-streamed via Zoom to our Facebook page*. To join the conversation in Zoom you also can register via Film Africa's Eventbrite. The link for the Zoom webinar will be sent to all those that have registered, 2 hours before the stated start time.

*It will also be recorded and uploaded to our Vimeo page within 24 hours of the event.