Thread by @monaeltahawy

Judges in #Kenya have postponed a long-awaited landmark ruling to strike out colonial-era legislation and decriminalize same-sex relations.
The judgment will now be given in late May. amp.theguardian.com/global-develop… #LGBTQ 🌈

The High Court said it needed more time to consider the evidence.
The delay prompted anger and disappointment among campaigners. “I just wish the excuse was better. People’s lives are hanging on the line. Justice has been delayed, but it has not yet been denied,”said Yvonne Oduor

Frank Mugisha, a campaigner for gay rights in #Uganda, said before the ruling that a positive result would encourage other countries to follow #Kenya’s path. #Angola recently decriminalised homosexual sex and courts in #Botswana will decide on the issue next month. #LGBTQ

“Everyone all over Africa is paying attention. Whatever happens in #Kenya will have a direct impact on us all,” said Frank Mugisha theguardian.com/global-develop… #LGBTQ 🌈

“It is a challenge to be gay here because of society. You can be attacked whenever, wherever. There will be protests if we win,” said Mombo Ngua, an activist in Nairobi.

#Kenya arrested 534 people for same-sex relationships between 2013 and 2017.

The attempt to get the colonial-era Section 162 repealed is being opposed by the #Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF), a coalition of Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches. #LGBTQ 🌈

Those colonial-era laws punish sexual acts deemed “unnatural” with up to 14 years in prison. The campaign to repeal Section 162 received a major boost last year when #India’s top court scrapped a law that punished gay sex with up to 10 years in jail in a historic verdict.