May 17, 2026
Today, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), Kenneth & Jacob’s House stands united with LGBTQ+ youth across Kenya and the world. This year’s global theme, “At the heart of democracy,” resonates deeply with our mission: truly democratic societies must be grounded in justice, equity, and freedom for everyone, including our queer youth who face homelessness solely because of who they are.
Why This Theme Matters to Us
At Kenneth & Jacob’s House, we witness daily how exclusionary policies and authoritarian attitudes push LGBTQ+ youth out of their homes and into survival mode. In Kenya, where sodomy laws remain criminalized and societal prejudice runs deep, queer youth aged 18-24 face disproportionate rates of homelessness, HIV vulnerability, and mental health crises.
Democracy cannot thrive when any community is pushed to the margins. Our work providing transitional housing, psychosocial support, family reconciliation, and life skills training is fundamentally about restoring these young people to the heart of their communities and the heart of democracy.
Voices from Our Community
Sasha’s Story: Family Reconciliation Restores Hope
“At age 19, I was struggling with my sense of identity and a relationship breakup with my parents left me homeless. It is not until when I was enrolled into the Kenneth and Jacob’s House programs that I was able turn my life around and two years now, after their family reconciliation program, I am still in talks with my parents even though it is not as before.”
— Sasha, program participant
Sasha’s journey demonstrates that democracy begins at home, when families can reconcile and accept their LGBTQ+ children, entire communities become more inclusive.
Terry’s Journey: From Homelessness to Independence
“I never knew how it feels to be homeless and gay, until I lost my job in 2020 during Covid pandemic. I had been staying in a rental apartment until one of my neighbors outed me to the rest of the tenants that I received an eviction notice from the landlord based on homophobic complaints. This was a tough period I had nowhere to go to, after series of trials I decided to reach out to Kenneth and Jacob’s House through their partner organization. During my stay I was enrolled through services such as access to counseling sessions that boosted my mental well-being, job placement training through which I was able to get skills that enabled me to update my CV and was lucky enough to have landed on a job opportunity that opened door to permanent rehousing.”
— Terry, program graduate
Terry’s story shows how access to counseling, job training, and safe housing transforms vulnerable youth into self-sufficient adults who contribute to society.
Victor’s Experience: Finding Belonging
“My first time at Kenneth and Jacob’s House, I did not know what to expect as a homeless queer person. I have trust issues in new environments, making it difficult to get close to people. But, when I got there, I felt relieved. They did not treat me like an outsider. As I got to know everybody, I began to feel comfortable, at home and safe.”
— Victor, current resident
Victor’s words capture what democracy should feel like: a place where everyone belongs, where no one is treated as an outsider simply for being who they are.
Our Commitment at the Heart of Democracy
Together, we are preparing the ground for a better future for everyone, exactly what IDAHOBIT 2026 calls us to do.
Join Us in Standing for LGBTQ+ Youth
We invite you to:
- Donate to support transitional housing and programs
- Volunteer your skills in counseling, job training, or mentorship
- Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and homelessness policy reform in Kenya
- Share this message to amplify queer voices at the heart of democracy
Every person deserves a place to belong. Every young person deserves safety, acceptance, and the opportunity to flourish. That’s what democracy looks like at Kenneth & Jacob’s House.
Happy IDAHOBIT 2026. At the heart of democracy, together we create a future where all LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.
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