TED Talks Daily The online community supporting queer Africans | Okong’o Kinyanjui
Sep 29, 2022
Okong’o Kinyanjui, a Pan-African LGBTQIA+ advocate and co-founder of a platform for queer Africans, discusses the challenges posed by colonial-era laws in Kenya. He emphasizes the importance of creating safe online communities that offer support and empowerment for those facing discrimination. The conversation highlights personal stories of resilience and the need for intentional design in digital spaces to combat oppression. Kinyanjui sheds light on the slow progress towards decriminalizing same-sex intimacy in Africa, celebrating the strength of queer individuals everywhere.
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Blackmail Averted
- Okong’o Kinyanjui’s first online queer community helped expose blackmailers.
- This saved them from a potentially dangerous situation with someone they were talking to.
Online Support
- Okong’o Kinyanjui and Nerima connected online, finding support during difficult times.
- They helped each other find housing, navigate outing situations, and connect with queer farming experts.
Community Vetting
- Implement a probationary period for new members to vet them and ensure safety.
- Verify safe profiles after probation to signal trustworthiness within the community.