‘GROWING UP I STRUGGLED TO FULLY EMBRACE MY HOMOSEXUALITY’ FRANKLIN SAIYALEL OPENS UP

Fashion designer Franklin Saiyalel popularly know as Kenyan Stylista has come out as LGBT, further detailing the struggles he faced while growing up as gay. In a lengthy social media post, the fashion designer disclosed that he struggled to fully embrace homosexuality, adding that he wishes he knew better. 

Saiyalel also stated that after starting to embracing it, he became mindful of being too vocal about it. “I feel aggrieved that I didn’t have a better sense of self back then. Quite often, I look back and wish I knew more. The funny thing, though, is that the struggles I had growing up are the reason behind who I am today. I struggled to fully embrace my homosexuality.

My teenage years and early adulthood progressed from being in the closet to being discrete; and even when I started to be more open and vocal, I was always mindful that I should not be too much, too loud, too camp,” he said. 

He also called for equality, wondering why gender minorities are persecuted by the same constitution that protects people against LGBT. “Growing up is transformation, and the different lives I lived helped me to re-signify my existence and to shape my identity as of today. Even as we continue to fight for equality worldwide, I feel that I can currently be a representation that there is a world and a community where my identity is celebrated,” wrote Saiyalel. 

Why should sexual and gender minorities be persecuted by colonial-era sections of the Penal Code in a country where the constitution itself explicitly protects their rights? LGBT persons are our brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and fellow citizens.” 

He added that its high time oppression and discrimination against LGBT comes to an end, arguing that someone’s sexual and gender preferences should not be criminalised. 

“I hope this image reaches others in the process of becoming who they are and who they want to be. My journey to accepting myself was maybe not as quick as I hoped, but looking back with the clarity of the present, I also understand that taking my time was important,” he concluded.