--- description: Kenya pushes back as President Obama calls for an end to anti-gay legislation In the country title: Obama Defends Gay Rights on Kenya Trip image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3d6f59af4924eb67/69885c80196cf4bf5f03743b/obama-kenyatta-kenya-gay-rights.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Obama Defends Gay Rights on Kenya Trip by [Aryn Baker / Nairobi](/author/aryn-baker/) ## Aryn Baker / Nairobi Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 26, 2015 2:02 PM CUT  President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House on July 25, 2015, in Nairobi. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House on July 25, 2015, in Nairobi.Evan Vucci—AP by [Aryn Baker / Nairobi](/author/aryn-baker/) ## Aryn Baker / Nairobi Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 26, 2015 2:02 PM CUT There is perhaps no wider chasm between the United States and Africa than over the issue of gay rights. The tension was thrown into sharp relief during U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Kenya, the first visit of a serving U.S. President to this East African Nation. In a joint press conference with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, following what appeared to have been a warm and productive meeting behind closed doors, Obama made it clear that the issue of gay rights in Kenya remained unresolved. “I believe in the principle of treating people equally under the law, and that they are deserving of equal protection under the law and that the state should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation,” Obama said. “I’m unequivocal on this.” Kenyatta’s government has staunchly defended laws imposing up to 14 years in prison for homosexuality. Kenya and the United States, he said, shared many values, from a love for democracy, entrepreneurship and families. Gay rights were not one of those values. “There are some things that we must admit we don’t share—our culture, our societies don’t accept. It is very difficult for us to be able to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept.” As I [wrote](http://time.com/3908898/out-in-africa/ "undefined") in a recent cover story on gay rights in Uganda, this issue has resonance across the continent. --- > “” --- Kenyatta argued that Kenya had other priorities, listing heath, education and road development, along with greater representation of women in society. “This is why I repeatedly say that, for Kenyans today, the issue of gay rights is really a non-issue,” he said. “Maybe once, like you have overcome some of these challenges, we can begin to look at new ones.” But when it comes to human rights, Obama made clear, it’s not so much a matter of priorities, but a matter of what is right. Drawing a comparison between anti-gay discrimination and the U.S. laws that once justified slavery and segregation, he brought in an unexpectedly personal angle. “As an African-American in the United States, I am painfully aware of the history of what happens when people are treated differently, under the law, and there were all sorts of rationalizations that were provided by the power structure for decades in the United States for segregation and Jim Crow and slavery, and they were wrong.” He was not calling for a change in religious doctrine in Kenya, he said. “The state just has to say we’re going to treat everybody equally under the law.” As Kenyatta made clear, little is likely to change in terms of Kenyan laws regarding gay rights. That was not the expectation, says U.S. presidential spokesman Ben Rhodes, who was accompanying Obama on the trip. Obama, he said, has been raising the issue during all his Africa travels. “Frankly, what we can do is keep a spotlight on \[Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender\] rights and raise this issue and make sure that governments know that they are going to be hearing about this from us and hopefully from our partners in the international community.” Nonetheless, Obama’s passionate defense of equality in a country that has long claimed him, a grandson of Kenya, for their own, may yet plant a seed that leads to greater acceptance down the line. ### 1996: Obama supports domestic partnerships and same-sex marriage—at least according to the paper trail  Then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama, shown in a 1999 file photo. Chicago Tribune/MCT/Getty Images In [one campaign questionnaire](http://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ppm43%5F080328%5Fobama%5Fiviquestionaire%5F091096.pdf "undefined") that Obama filled out when running for the Illinois state Senate, he states that he supports domestic partnerships and adding sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act, the state’s civil rights law. He also says that he supports affirmative action for gays and lesbians. In another questionnaire for Chicago LGBT newspaper _Outlines_, Obama says he supports same-sex marriage. In 2009, a copy of his typed responses was unearthed and [printed](http://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/current.pdf "undefined") in the _Windy City Times._ “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages,” reads the questionnaire bearing his signature at the bottom. Later, Obama aides [will dispute](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GknRjbq86ak&feature=player%5Fembedded "undefined") that he actually filled out the questionnaire himself. ### 1998: Obama is ‘undecided’ about same-sex marriage  Windy City Times, Vol. 24, no. 17 Windy City Times Seeking reelection in Illinois, Obama fills out [another questionnaire](http://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/current.pdf "undefined") for _Outlines_, which the _Windy City Times_ published in 2009\. This time he says he is “undecided” whether he supports legalizing same-sex marriage or repealing an Illinois law prohibiting it. ### 2004: Obama supports civil unions and civil rights for gays and lesbians—but insists that marriage is not a basic civil right “Marriage is between a man and a woman,” Obama says in [an interview on Chicago public television](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%5FXAVqrqr4j4&feature=youtu.be "undefined") during his U.S. Senate campaign, adding, “but what I also believe is that we have an obligation to make sure that gays and lesbians have the rights of citizenship that afford them visitations to hospitals, that allow them to transfer property to each other, to make sure they’re not discriminated against on the job.” He says homosexuality is not a choice and “for the most part, it is innate.” Obama distinguishes marriage from other civil rights, saying, “We have a set of traditions in place that I think need to be preserved.” ### 2004: Obama opposes the federal Defense of Marriage Act while running for a U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. He also opposes same-sex marriage  Barack Obama, US Senate candidate for Illinois, is greeted by delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Boston on July, 2004. Robyn Beck—AFP/Getty Images The Defense of Marriage Act, signed by Bill Clinton, allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages legally established in other states. It previously prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, until the Supreme Court ruled that provision unconstitutional in 2013. ### 2006: Obama questions his own opposition to same-sex marriage  Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope" is displayed at a bookstore in New York City on July 14, 2008. Chris Hondros—Getty Images In his memoir _The Audacity of Hope_, Obama recounts a story of how a lesbian supporter called him up after he had said he opposed same-sex marriage in radio interview, citing his “religious traditions” as part of the reason. She had been hurt, feeling he suggested that she and people like here were “bad people.” He wrote: “And I was reminded that it is my obligation, not only as an elected official in a pluralistic society but also as a Christian, to remain open to the possibility that my unwillingness to support gay marriage is misguided … that Jesus’ call to love one another might demand a different conclusion.” ### 2007: During the Democratic primary, Obama reaffirms support of ‘strong civil unions’ that offer all the rights that come with opposite-sex marriage During an August debate sponsored by groups like the Human Rights Campaign, he also says, “individual denominations have the right to make their own decisions as to whether they recognize same sex couples. My denomination, United Church of Christ, does. Other denominations may make a different decision.” Obama implies that he personally sympathizes with LGBT people, saying, “When you’re a black guy named Barack Obama, you know what it’s like to be on the outside.” ### 2008: As a presidential candidate, Obama pledges to repeal DOMA and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ which banned the service of openly gay troops in the U.S. military  Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama talks with Pastor Rick Warren during the Saddleback Forum in Lake Forrest, Calif. on Aug. 16, 2008. Alex Brandon—AP He also says, repeatedly, that he is against gay marriage. “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian — for me — for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix,” he tells pastor Rick Warren at the [Saddleback Presidential Forum](http://votesmart.org/public-statement/658545/full-transcript-saddleback-presidential-forum-sen-barack-obama-john-mccain-moderated-by-rick-warren/?search=saddleback#.VSbObJTF938 "undefined") in April. ### 2009: Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act  President Barack Obama hugs James Byrd Jr.'s sister, Louvon Harris during a White House reception commemorating the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, in Washington on Oct. 28, 2009. Manuel Balce Ceneta—AP The hate crime law, which Congress had first introduced in 1997, gives the Justice Department jurisdiction over crimes of violence in which a perpetrator has selected a victim because of sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as many other characteristics. ### October 2010: Obama starts ‘evolving’ on gay marriage At a [Q&A session](http://americablog.com/2010/10/transcript-of-q-and-a-with-the-president-about-dadt-and-same-sex-marriage.html "undefined") with progressive bloggers, Obama says that while he has been “unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage,” times are changing and “attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents.” ### December 2010: Obama signs a bill repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’  President Barack Obama signs the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law at the Department of the Interior in Washington on Dec. 22, 2010. Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images The same month, he reiterates at a press conference that his stance on same-sex marriage is “constantly evolving.” By July, the Commander-in-Chief formally certifies that the military is ready for the open service of lesbian, gay and bisexual troops. Open service for transgender troops remains verboten. ### February 2011: Obama instructs the Justice Department to stop defending DOMA in court, saying that he believes it is unconstitutional “While both the wisdom and the legality of \[DOMA\] will continue to be the subject of both extensive litigation and public debate, this Administration will no longer assert its constitutionality in court,” Holder said in [a statement](http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-litigation-involving-defense-marriage-act "undefined"). ### May 2012: Obama becomes the first president to support same-sex marriage After Vice President Joe Biden announces his support for same-sex marriage, Obama is forced to move up a planned announcement of his change in position. In [an interview](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-robin-roberts-abc-news-interview-president-obama/story?id=16316043 "undefined") with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Obama says he has changed his mind. “At a certain point,” he said, “I’ve just concluded that — for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that — I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” ### July 2014: Obama signs an executive order protecting LGBT employees working for government contractors  President Barack Obama holds hands with Edie Windsor after she introduced him during the Democratic National Committee LGBT Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on June 17, 2014. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images The order applies to a group of workers that, at around 28 million, accounts for about one-fifth of the American workforce. “America’s federal contracts should not subsidize discrimination against the American people,” he says. The federal government, as well as the majority of states, do not have blanket prohibitions on LGBT discrimination. ### December 2014: The Obama Administration interprets the Civil Rights Act as supportive of LGBT rights The Department of Education articulates a clear stance on gender identity, while the Department of Justice announces that all its attorneys will interpret the federal ban on sex discrimination to include discrimination against transgender Americans. “Under Title IX,” [a memo](http://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/faqs-title-ix-single-sex-201412.pdf "undefined") from the Department of Education reads, a school “must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity in all aspects of the planning, implementation, enrollment, operation, and evaluation of single-sex classes.” “This important shift will ensure that the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are extended to those who suffer discrimination based on gender identity, including transgender status,” Attorney General Eric Holder [said](http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-holder-directs-department-include-gender-identity-under-sex-discrimination "undefined"). ### January 2015: Obama becomes the first president to use the word ‘transgender’ in a State of the Union address  President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2015. Mandel Ngan—Pool/Getty Images “As Americans, we respect human dignity,” he [said](http://time.com/3676881/state-of-the-union-2015-barack-obama-transgender/ "undefined"). “That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” ### April 2015: Obama says that conversion therapy for minors should be banned  US President Barack Obama makes his way to board Air Force One under a rainbow upon departure from Kingston, Jamaica on April 9, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images Conversion therapy attempts to “correct” homosexual or transgender feelings. Obama’s response comes after thousands signed a White House petition in honor of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender girl who committed suicide by walking into traffic after being forced to go through such sessions, according to notes she left. Two states, California and New Jersey, have outlawed the practice. [_Read Next: Meet the New Generation of Gender-Creative Kids_](http://time.com/3743987/gender-creative-kids/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3972445/obama-kenyatta-gay-rights/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3972445/obama-kenyatta-gay-rights/"},"headline":"Obama Defends Gay Rights on Kenya Trip","datePublished":"2015-07-26T14:02:01.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T05:02:19.095Z","description":"The African country sentences homosexuals to prison time","url":"https://time.com/3972445/obama-kenyatta-gay-rights/","keywords":["Gay Rights","LGBT","Kenya"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3d6f59af4924eb67/69885c80196cf4bf5f03743b/obama-kenyatta-kenya-gay-rights.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Aryn Baker / Nairobi"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3d6f59af4924eb67/69885c80196cf4bf5f03743b/obama-kenyatta-kenya-gay-rights.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Barack Obama Uhuru Kenyatta kenya","caption":"Barack Obama Uhuru Kenyatta kenya","creditText":"Evan Vucci—AP","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3972445/obama-kenyatta-gay-rights/","name":"Obama Defends Gay Rights on Kenya Trip"}}]}] ```