Nurturing and exploring the reconciling of faith & sexuality for LGBTQ+ persons in Meru County, Kenya

Date Published: 

Our story
During the nine years of EMAC work, we have documented how LGBTQ+ persons are disproportionately affected by the adverse discrimination and spiritual harm & trauma that happens in churches as a result of the conflict between faith and the diversity of their sexuality and the demonization of the same by the church. Seventy percent (70%) of all the LGBTQ+ EMACs no longer attend church because of the hate sermons at the pulpit and the Sexual Gender-based violence they experience in churches. As a result, they never practice their faith and they question their existence and their faith. This has necessitated EMAC to initiate a spiritual and mental health intervention to help SM to reconcile their faith and their sexuality, give them a platform to practice their faith through gospel music, bible study interdenominational public worship encounters, and psychosocial support services for their mental health and wellness. It's not always safe for Sexual Minority people to practice their faith in a building or with an organized group, but 'that relationship can be nurtured and it can be explored and it can be a part of one’s self-care and self-identity.' (Ali Thompson/Ali Lauren)

Our Goal
To address the widespread harms against Sexual Minority people by religion into pursuing faith on their own terms, reconciling with it and redefining what it means to be spiritual, push back against traumatizing, exclusionary practices, and create safer communities for Sexual Minority people within the faith. 
objectives to be supported by the WISHWALL Team:
1. Address spiritual trauma experienced by LGBTQ+ persons through psychosocial support
2. Reconcile the faith & sexuality of Sexual minority persons through music
Activities to be supported by the WISHWALL team:
1)Engagement of the services of a psychosocial counselor for the group, individualized in-person & tele-counseling services
2)Procurement of musical instruments to promote healing through music, worship, and bible study
3)Organize public/street worship sessions for and by LGBTQ+ persons in Meru County
4)Host LGBTQ+ persons support groups
5)Procure a mobility van while organizing street worship sessions across the county
Expected Outcome / Results:
Increased self-acceptance by LGBTQ+ persons of faith
Improved mental health outcomes of LGBTQ+ persons of faith
Improved reconciling of faith & sexuality of LGBTQ+ persons of faith

1. Amount requested to fulfill our wish £: 50,000
Nurturing and exploring the reconciling of faith & sexuality for LGBTQ+ persons in Meru County, Kenya