Against All Odds: How East Africa’s LGBTQ+ Environmental Defenders Fight for Nature and Identity

Moshi, Tanzania, April 21 –  Under the towering shadow of Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania’s drought-prone Mwanga District, Samuel is a guardian of the land and his identity as a gay man. In a region often ravaged by harsh environmental challenges, Samuel’s fight to protect the land mirrors his struggle for acceptance in a society that repeatedly denies him the right to exist as his true self. Across the border in Kenya, Hunnielle, an intersex individual in Mombasa, and Alex, a non-binary activist in Taveta town, are redefining what it means to protect the planet, too. These three advocates are not only protecting nature but also fierce champions for an inclusive society. They are challenging the status quo and proving that the fight to protect the earth must embrace every identity and voice.

Samuel, Hunnielle, and Alex are part of a growing movement of SSOGIE (Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression(s)) minority advocates across East Africa who are merging environmental and human rights activism. Despite systemic barriers and societal opposition attempting to suppress their identities, they have remained resilient, amplifying marginalized voices and blending their activism with deeply personal motivations for social and environmental justice.

Samuel, a reforestation advocate, finds fulfillment in tending to the trees he plants.  “Beneath their branches, I find solace,” he says as we settle down for this interview in Moshi town. For Samuel, protecting the environment is not just a duty; it is an act of belonging and resilience. His youth-led, community-driven reforestation projects target deforested lands in Mwanga district in Northern Tanzania. Through his Kilimanjaro Youth Network Association, he is building connections and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS among his SSOGIE minority community and beyond. His efforts have earned him trust from local community leaders, including some religious organizations, who recognize him as a vocal advocate for human rights.

Hunnielle, who uses they/them pronouns, describes their work in Mombasa’s mangrove ecosystems as deeply personal and closely intertwined with their identity as an intersex individual.

“Nature is my connection to God,” Hunnielle explains. “Every tree I plant and every piece of litter I pick up feels like bringing back something neglected, much like my own identity.” Through their organization, Intersex Liberty Initiative Coast, Hunnielle champions the rights of intersex minorities, intertwining this advocacy with environmental restoration. Their latest project aims to establish a mangrove tree nursery, a critical initiative they say aims to boost both coastal ecosystem resilience and contribute to the global fight against climate change. “Mangrove ecosystems are vital for mitigating coastal erosion,” Hunnielle says. “They protect our shores, sustain marine life, and combat climate change. Planting trees is bringing life back to the earth.”

At the Kenya-Tanzania border in Taveta, Alex, who uses they/them pronouns, is challenging stereotypes and defying traditional gender norms by leading sustainable vegetable and fruit farming practices that curb environmental degradation. “People expect conservationists to fit a certain mold—often male, straight, and driven by science alone,” Alex reflects. “But I’m showing that care for the environment isn’t limited by gender or identity.” Alex works to improve food security across both countries. Despite facing discrimination for being non-binary—meaning they identify beyond the traditional categories of male and female—Alex has forged strong connections with allies who recognize that their commitment to sustainable farming is vital for the community’s long-term well-being. “We’re fighting for a world where everyone has a place,” says Alex. “That includes both the environment and the people who care for it.”

While environmentalism and SSOGIE advocacy confront systemic oppression, they rarely intersect in public discourse. Tanzania and Kenya face severe environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and biodiversity loss. Rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion continue to strain resources, as climate change worsens these pressures. Droughts and unpredictable rainfall have affected food security, putting ecosystems under further threat.

Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, making the quest for environmental justice deeply intertwined with human rights advocacy. “SSOGIE minorities are already vulnerable,” Alex states. “When our environments degrade, it is marginalized communities like us who suffer the most.” The global environmental justice movement acknowledges that harm disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized, particularly sexual minority communities in East Africa.

In Kenya, LGBTQ+ rights and climate activism intersect with systemic marginalization and limited government recognition. Queer environmentalists are especially vulnerable during crises like floods and droughts, yet they often remain invisible in climate response strategies. GALCK+, a coalition that supports equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, is pushing to bridge this gap by empowering LGBTQI+ individuals in environmental advocacy.

One major hurdle is the lack of awareness about how climate issues affects LGBTQ+ communities. “Climate conversations have not been widely disseminated to encourage full engagement from marginalized communities,” says Ivy Werimba, GALCK+ Communication and Advocacy Officer. This disconnect limits support for queer environmentalists fighting for climate justice.”

Securing flexible funding for queer activists presents significant challenges, as they often face barriers in obtaining resources from formal institutions. GALCK+ engages funders to highlight the intersection of LGBTQ+ identities within environmental activism. They are advocating for government accountability and pushing for the collection of disaggregated data on sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure inclusive responses to crises.

This urgent advocacy is reflected in the work of Samuel, Hunnielle, and Alex, who view environmental activism as essential for protecting their communities. “Caring for the environment is caring for humanity,” asserts Hunnielle.

Discrimination and Prejudice

This dual activism comes with a heavy burden. In Tanzania and Kenya, LGBTQI+ individuals endure systemic oppression, legal hurdles, and entrenched social stigma. In Tanzania, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to life imprisonment. Kenya’s environment is similarly hostile, with same-sex relations criminalized, subjecting LGBTQI+ individuals to threats of violence and frequent discrimination.

“Many people in places like Mwanga district support my environmental work, but they’d turn against me when they realize I am gay,” Samuel shares. “It’s like living a double life. I’m working for everyone’s benefit, but I have to be so careful about who I trust.”

Hunnielle echoes this discrimination: “In Mombasa, people appreciate the results of my work—planting trees, cleaning beaches—but when my identity as an intersex person is revealed, the focus shifts from my work to my ‘abnormality.’ It’s exhausting.” All three activists face a local environmental sector that is socially conservative, leaving them largely isolated in their environmental work. As Hunnielle notes, “Society’s rigid gender views mean I’m judged for who I am, even when I’m just trying to make the society and the world better.”

Hunnielle encountered societal prejudices firsthand during a cleanup exercise in Mombasa, where tasks were assigned based on traditional gender roles—women were designated to sweep, while men were responsible for cutting grass and unclogging drainage systems. Hunnielle was caught in the middle, as organizers struggled to assign them a group. “Just because I don’t fit into their binary doesn’t mean I’m less capable,” they recall. “But that’s how they treated me.” This treatment extended beyond physical tasks, as organizations have also asked them to become the face of an initiative, not because of their skills or dedication, but as a strategy to attract funding by emphasizing their intersex identity. “They see me as a token, not a person,” Hunnielle shares, describing the experience as deeply dehumanizing.

Samuel’s journey has also been marked by discrimination, particularly in his former work as a police officer and public prosecutor. “My colleagues often avoided going on duty with me. I felt like I was fighting on two fronts,” Samuel says. Eventually, he quit these jobs to focus on advocacy. Despite these challenges, he takes pride in the support his mother, sister, and a few understanding religious figures provide.

Alex has suffered business losses. Some customers stopped buying vegetables from their farm, citing Alex’s non-binary identity as conflicting with their religious beliefs. “I had a large market for my vegetables and tomatoes, but it shrank after people learned I don’t identify as male or female,” Alex explains. “I know I could lose more customers if the wrong people find out, but I won’t stop fighting for what’s right.”

Legal and Social Barriers

In Kenya and Tanzania, legal frameworks pose significant challenges to LGBTQI+ rights and environmental activism, forcing SSOGIE activists into hostile environments. In Kenya, anti-homosexuality laws drive activists like Alex and Hunnielle underground, hindering alliances and support. While intersex individuals gained legal recognition with the 2019 High Court ruling and were counted in the national census (1,524 persons), societal acceptance remains low, with rigid gender norms persisting. The United Nations Human Rights Council’s recent resolution on intersex rights underscores the urgent need for protection, but discrimination, especially in religious settings, continues to marginalize them.

Phyllis Muema, Executive Director of the Kenya Community Support Centre, emphasizes that government services continue to exclude intersex individuals despite their legal recognition. She urges the passage of Kenya’s long-pending Intersex Persons Bill 2023 to address discrimination, harmful medical practices, violence, and stigma.

In Tanzania, homosexuality is criminalized, with penalties of up to 30 years in prison. The government’s conservative stance fuels frequent crackdowns on LGBTQI+ individuals. Both countries present severe legal and social obstacles, requiring resilience and resistance to advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and environmental justice.

Despite systemic barriers, activists like Samuel, Hunnielle, and Alex say will continue with their work of linking environmental protection with breaking down prejudice and fostering inclusivity. As Hunnielle states, “I believe God is in nature, and by caring for the environment, I am connecting with God.” Their determination highlights the power of activism in pushing for a more inclusive and sustainable future.