\u201cMedia is a powerful tool in shaping people\u2019s opinion, perception and attitudes. Once we shape people’s opinion, attitudes and perception and get people to understand that LGBT people are human beings, then we can see a reduction of homophobia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Okun Oliech is a Kenyan writer, blogger and human rights activist. He recently took part in an RNTC masterclass on storytelling for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) visibility in Nairobi which, he says, \u201ccompletely changed\u201d his writing style for the better.<\/p>\n
Shaping attitudes<\/strong> \u201cThe majority of people who live in Kenya strongly disapprove of homosexuality and topics around LGBT. The main argument is that homosexuality is against African norms and traditions, and in religion it is considered a great sin. \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n Research carried out by Love Matters Africa<\/a> into the visibility of the LGBT community and its representation in the Kenyan media confirmed that these negative attitudes are reflected in and amplified by the media. This kind of coverage plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and more positive and less stigmatising reporting on LGBT issues can be an important step in advancing the human rights of Kenya\u2019s LGBT community. Quality coverage on LGBT issues is all the more important right now as Kenya\u2019s High Court is poised to rule on the decriminalisation of same sex relations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Compelling stories<\/strong> Oliech\u2019s attempts to change attitudes had previously been focused on providing \u201ccorrect information\u201d about Kenya\u2019s LGBT community. But the insights he gained from the RNTC masterclass have sent his work in a new direction. He now wants to \u201cdemystify\u201d the topic and advocate for the rights of LBGT people, with positive results:<\/p>\n \u201cThe training was eye opening for me. What really stood out was the amount of difference human-interest stories \/stories for social change can make. I have completely changed my style of writing from advocacy angle to human-interest angle, and I am now getting a lot of positive feedback. \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s not always easy, however,<\/p>\n \u201cPeople do not view members of the LGBT community as human beings and believe they have no rights, though I believe LGBT people are human beings and have rights. So whenever I write on LGBT topics, people are quick oppose it and criticize. They don\u2019t look past their beliefs hence they miss the point.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n ”Voice of the voiceless” \u201cThe media should be the voice of the voiceless and also shape the attitudes and perceptions of people… We need more stories and discussion on LGBT issues in the media and to get people to understand that LGBT people are human beings, then we can see a reduction of homophobia\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Ten Kenyan media practicioners took part in the masterclass, with participants active in TV, radio, print and online media. You can read more about RNTC\u2019s work here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kenyan blogger Michael Okun Oliech reflects on an RNTC masterclass on storytelling for LGBT visibility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7741,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7405","news","type-news","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/7405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nNegative attitudes in Kenya toward LGBT people can translate into tragic consequences and same sex relations can result in more than a decade in prison. According to Oliech:<\/p>\n
\nSo Love Matters Africa worked with RNTC, RNW Media\u2019s training centre, to design a two-day masterclass for a group of invited media professionals. The aim was to have these practitioners interact with members of the LGBT community, as well as health care and service providers who work with the community. This would enable them to write compelling stories from an informed perspective. Participants were introduced to the persuasive storytelling method taught by RNTC which enables journalists to create engaging media content that can drive social change and increase the visibility of marginalised groups.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Love Matter Africa believes media can play an important role in creating an enabling environment for and advancing human rights. Oliech agrees:<\/p>\n