Malala at the Canal Pride in Utrecht
For a queer woman human rights defender from Kenya, a country where LGBTQ+ rights are constantly under threat, experiencing Pride in the Netherlands was something our Shelter City guest, Malala, had been extremely excited about.
From the beginning of her stay, Malala expressed strong interest in Pride events. While being gay is not officially illegal in Kenya, she told us about a gay club she used to frequent, known as a kind of “public secret” in Nairobi. So, the idea of a day where queer people are openly celebrated was incredibly meaningful to her.