#24 - African Voices: Mwendia Shares on Same-Sex Attraction in Kenya

New Kinship

We are so excited to welcome Mwendia Steve Kiengu to the podcast as we begin highlighting perspectives from Africa!

Mwendia is a seminary student in Kenya who’s grown up with same-sex attraction. He talks with TJ about the African cultural dynamics they’ve both experienced around same-sex attraction—how people talk about it, advice they give, and the challenges that Christians with same-sex attractions face.

We value Mwendia’s perspective on sexuality, both for Africans engaging in the conversation and for global listeners expanding their knowledge of the world.

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Note: This episode uses the terms “Side A” and “Side B” (and X, Y) as shorthand, which is most often a western framing. If you’re new to the conversation, you might find it helpful to check out Communion & Shalom episode #3, where we talk through the four “sides”: ⁠⁠⁠#3 - A-B-Y-X | 4 Sides on SSA/Gay Sexuality⁠⁠

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Timestamps

(0:24) TJ: On highlighting African voices
(04:09) Introducing Mwendia
(16:02) Same-sex sexual relations (and insult words) among Kenyan young people
(22:54) Are there gay Kenyan celebrities?
(25:36) Most closeted Kenyans stay there (under pressure to marry, have kids)
(32:21) African values on marriage + kids (high), celibacy (low)
(40:41) Openness to celibate partnerships, LGBT language? in Kenya
(50:02) "This is a western ideology”
(58:44) Kenyan Christians who affirm same-sex sex?
(1:00:00) Finding the boldness to build community
(1:05:36) What LGBT language is used among Kenyan Christians?

Links and References

Mwendia’s blog: https://thequestionofsexuality.home.blog/
Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill (2010) Link to publisher
Spiritual Friendship blog: https://spiritualfriendship.org/
Revoice conference: https://www.revoice.org/
Still Time to Care by Greg Johnson (2021) Link to publisher

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Below are some resources or terms mentioned in this episode, which may help make this conversation accessible to global listeners (inclusion does not imply endorsement, of course).

• Binyavanga Wainaina was a famous Kenyan writer who was open about his homosexuality. Wiki


• Kenyan fashion designer and LGBTQ activitist Chiloba Edwin was recently murdered. Wiki


• The story of Leah’s and Rachel’s use of their maids as surrogate mothers/concubines to build their families is found in Genesis 29:31 through 30:22.

If you like this podcast, please consider…

→Sharing feedback or questions! www.podpage.com/communion-shalom/contact
→Supporting us on Patreon! patreon.com/communionandshalom
→Following us on Instagram! @communionandshalom

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Credits

Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza
Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson (www.carlswensonmusic.com)
Podcast Manager: Elena

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newkinship.substack.com