The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Death of Kenyan LGBTQ+/SGL Activist Edwin Chiloba
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
NAIROBI, KENYA– The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Edwin Chiloba, a Kenyan LGBTQ+/SGL activist and fashion designer. Chiloba was last seen on New Year’s Day. His body was found in a metal box thrown from a moving vehicle.
“Edwin was beautiful and lived as freely as he could in a society that tries to cage and punish us for daring to be Black, queer, and free,” said the Director of Public Policy and Programs, Victoria Kirby York. “He was a fashion designer with inclusivity and diversity at the heart of his brand. In a recent Instagram post, he said, “I am going to fight what I have been marginalized for, I am going to fight for all marginalized people.”
“It’s not lost on me that he was a victim of a hate crime before his life was brutally stolen.” Kirby York continues. “Hate crimes all over the world – including the U.S. are underreported and when they are reported, under-investigated and often never solved. Enforcing hate crimes laws reduces the likelihood that would-be murderers believe they can get away with their actions against marginalized communities This New Year let us renew commitments to ensure public safety and criminal justice officials hold those who have harmed us accountable.”
Kenyan police have arrested the main suspect in connection with the death of Edwin Chiloba. The matter is still under investigation.
If you’ve been a victim of a hate crime, please don’t wait to report it. Contact your local police and/or the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
When traveling in the U.S., know what freedoms are available/legal protections you have by checking this map of anti-LGBTQ policies: https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps
When traveling abroad, especially in the African Diaspora, check out this resource from the U.S. State Department for information on anti-LGBTQ policies: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html.html