Kanny’s QueerPositive Journey This Pride
3W Women
June’s warm breeze drifted across Lake Victoria, carrying with it the vibrant energy of Pride Month in Kisumu. Rainbow flags unfurled on rooftops, and the hum of celebration pulsed through the streets. Yet for Kanny, a 26‑year‑old queer woman with a gentle laugh and an easy smile, the season’s joy was tinged with a quiet anxiety she’d carried for almost three years.
The Weight of a Misconception
Kanny had fallen in love—or as fiercely and deliciously as one can—with another queer woman in Kisumu. Their relationship sparkled with late‑night poetry readings under mango trees, secret brunches at Java, and whispered promises of tomorrow’s adventures. Still, beneath the comfort of shared laughter was a shadow she’d never quite chased away: the fear of an HIV test.
“Chenye unaenda kutafuta, utapata,” her old schoolmates had warned. “What you go looking for, you will find.” That proverb, brimming with cautionary wisdom, had circled in her mind ever since she’d heard it. And so, after her last negative test in 2022, Kanny had let three years slip by—no appointments, no counselling, and no face‑to‑face heartbeats in a clinic waiting room.
A Bold Confession Sparks Change
Last week, sitting on her balcony in the afternoon breeze, Kanny’s girlfriend, Jenny, mustered a quiet boldness. Over mugs of steaming chai, she revealed her status: HIV‑positive, stable on treatment, and living vibrantly. Jenny’s voice was steady, her brown eyes unwavering. “I trust you,” she’d said softly, “and I want us to build a healthy future together.”
That moment cracked something open in Kanny’s heart. If Jennyy could stride through her own test, own her result, and keep dancing in the face of stigma, then so could she. She realised that love wasn’t just laughter and late‑night poetry. It was also radical honesty, shared responsibility, and holding each other’s hands through fear.
Reaching Out to 3W
A flutter of nerves gnawed at Kanny’s stomach the next morning as she scrolled through Instagram. She landed on a recent #QueerPositive post by Women Working With Women (3W)—a bright infographic busting myths about HIV testing for LBQ folks in Kisumu. The post read: “ Being queer positive in the slums doesn’t mean silence. It means power.”
Heart pounding, she tapped the link in the bio and sent a DM: “Hi 3W, I’d like a referral for HIV testing. I’m nervous—I haven’t tested in almost three years.”
Within minutes, a calm, affirming response landed: “You’re so brave, Kanny. We’ve referred you to an LGBTQ‑Friendly Clinic. Let us know if you need support walking in.”
The flutter in her stomach grew into a storm as she confirmed the appointment for that afternoon.
Walking into Courage
Hand in hand with Jenny, Kanny approached the clinic’s sliding glass doors. The rainbow sticker on the entrance glowed like a beacon. Inside, the waiting area buzzed with soft chatter—empty chairs, a water dispenser, and posters reminding everyone that “Your Pronouns Matter” and “Health Is a Human Right.”
They were greeted by Nurse Achieng, whose broad smile felt like sunshine cutting through clouds. She used Kanny’s pronouns without a stumble and guided them to a private room. As Kanny sat on the examination table, Jenny squeezed her hand. “You’re doing this for us,” Jenny whispered. “For our tomorrow, I am proud of you.”
The blood draw was quick, but the real challenge was emotional. What if it’s positive? What if everything changes? What will I do? Yet she kept breathing, recalling the 3W post’s mantra: Testing is information, empowerment, and love.
Fifteen Minutes of Waiting
Clinic protocols meant a 15‑minute wait for results. Fifteen minutes felt like a lifetime. Kanny closed her eyes, leaning back against the crisp paper sheet. Outside, Jenny chatted amicably with the counsellor, laughter echoing in the hallway. Kanny imagined the worst, then the best, and braced herself for either.
She glanced at her phone, where she’d typed and erased the same message a dozen times: “I’m scared.” Finally, she tapped send: “Jenny, I love you.”
Moments later, Nurse Achieng asked Kanny to look at the results. “It’s a single line, that’s negative, right?” “Kanny, everything looks good. You’re negative.” Relief flooded her chest like fresh rain. She hugged Jenny so tightly she thought her ribs would crack. Their shared tears were equal parts joy and liberation.
Aftercare and Affirmation
Before leaving, they sat with the 3W‑trained counsellor, who walked them through safer‑sex basics, healthy‑relationship check‑ins, and emotional aftercare. Jenny was invited to stay for the entire conversation—her presence normalised their partnership in a way Kanny had never before experienced in a healthcare setting.
“Your courage today is a gift to your relationship,” the counsellor said. “Keep talking, keep testing regularly—every six months is best—and remember: your status is just one part of your story.”
They left clutching care packages from 3W—condoms, lubricants, mental‑health hotline cards, and a handwritten note: “Queer love is power. Keep shining.”
A Joyful Celebration of Health
That evening, Kanny posted a selfie with Jenny on her apartment balcony. In the background, the Kisumu skyline glowed under a lavender sunset. Her caption read:
“We did it! Today I faced my fear, tested after 3 years, and found strength I didn’t know I had. @3WKenya, thank you for holding our hands and making us feel seen, heard, and affirmed. Here’s to many more healthy, happy days together! 🌈❤️ #QueerPositive #HealthyLove #PrideMonth2025”
Notifications pinged with hearts, comments, and supportive messages from queer friends, donors, and local organizations. Kanny realized that her story—once shrouded in fear—had become a beacon for others who hesitated at the clinic door.
Why Kanny’s Story Matters
In Kisumu’s queer community, myths and misconceptions still block the path to health. Stories like Kanny’s break down walls. They remind us that:
- HIV Testing Isn’t a Judgment: It’s a declaration of self‑care and mutual respect.
- Queer‑Affirming Healthcare Exists: Trained providers at partner clinics ensure respect for pronouns, identities, and emotional needs.
- Love Is a Team Sport: Partners encouraging each other to stay safe strengthens relationships.
- A Supportive Community Changes Everything: 3W’s referrals, post‑test counselling, and peer support are lifelines.
A Call to Action
This Pride Month, let Kanny’s journey be your inspiration. Whether you’re a queer person eager to test, a partner wanting to support, or a donor looking to fund life‑changing services, here’s how you can help:
- Get Tested Regularly: If it’s been more than six months, reach out to 3W for a referral.
- Support A Friend: Offer to accompany them—fear shared is fear halved.
- Donate or Partner: 3W needs funding to train more LGBTQ‑friendly providers across Western Kenya.
- Share Your Story: Use #QueerPositive and tag @3WKenya—your voice could be someone else’s courage. In that moment, Kanny understood something profound: staying safe isn’t just about prevention—it’s about pride. Pride in our bodies, pride in our relationships, and pride in the community that lifts us up.
This Pride Month, let every test, every conversation, and every shared story reinforce that queer health is a right, queer love is a revolution, and queer joy is—and always will be—unapologetically powerful.
#QueerPositive #3WKenya #PrideSafeKisumu #HealthyLove #QueerKisumu #PrideMonth2025
