The Kenya Upinde Awards (formerly Gay and Lesbian Awards) 2013

Upinde is a Kiswahili word for rainbow. The change of award name represents diversity, sovereignty and inclusion

The Awards Gala night will be in Nairobi on December 13, 2013 starting 7pm

NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS
Based on public submissions, five shortlisted nominees will be considered for each award, and a winner and runners up will be announced for each category on the awards gala night.

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS:

1. “SHUJAA” (THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD)
This Award is to be presented to an individual (LGBTIQ identifying) who has:
a) An impeccable track record of service to LGBTI human rights
b) Substantial experience in the service of LGBTI human rights;
c) Led the development of contemporary and creative measures in the struggle for LGBTI human rights;
d) Fostered positive inter group relations amongst LGBTI persons and groups of different ethnic origin, races, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities;
e) Consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the LGBTI human rights agenda;
f) Mentored and taught others in LGBTI human rights;
g) Published articles and books on LGBTI human rights;

The above criteria may also apply posthumously.

2. “AFYA” (THE LGBTI HEALTH PROVIDER AWARD)
To be presented to a person or organization that has:
• Had, or has, the potential of having a demonstrable impact on LGBTI health, mental health, well-being, MSM, HIV and AIDS through the quantity and quality of their work;
• Led the development of contemporary strategies to fight health challenges that LGBTI face;
• Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various health aspects of LGBTI;
• Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
• Developed policies and implemented them in a participatory manner;
• Shown high levels of accountability and respect for LGBTI clients, persons;
• Developed sustainable solutions to reduce lack of access to health, reproductive health of LGBTI persons;
• Consistently, and in the long term, demonstrated dedication and commitment to the LGBTI human rights and health agenda.

3. “UTUMISHI” (THE LGBTI COMMUNITY ORGANISATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD)
To be presented to a community based organization, coalition, group, partnership, society or company who has:

a) Measurably endeavored to infuse LGBTI human rights principles and standards into its policies;
b) Led the development of contemporary and creative measures for effective exercise of LGBTI human rights;
c) Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various types of LGBTI human rights;
d) Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
e) Developed and implemented policies in a participatory manner;
f) Shown high levels of accountability and respect for the rule of law;
g) Developed sustainable solutions to reduce anti-LGBTI stigma and discrimination;
h) Fostered positive inter group relations among LGBTI persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender and religious backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities;
i) Consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the LGBTI human rights.

4. “SAUTI” (JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD)

To be presented to a journalist whose work…:
a) Has led the development of contemporary and creative measures to fight for LGBTI human rights;
b) Has fostered positive inter group relations among LGBT persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
c) Has consistently, and in the long term, demonstrated dedication and commitment to the LGBTI human rights agenda;
d) Has not impacted negatively on LGBTI human rights and democracy;
e) Is accurate and professional e.g. researches soundly;
f) Has integrity;
g) Has substantially reported on LGBTI human rights issues;
h) Is scandal free e.g. does not accept ‘hush money’ to kill a “damaging” story;
i) Readily owns up to mistakes;
j) Is overtly above partisan politics

5. ‘’DINI’’ (RELIGION/FAITH) AWARD
To be presented to a religious or faith-basedorganization that has:
• Fostered positive inter group relations among persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
• Been guided by equality, inclusivity and non-discrimination in their work, preaching
• Promoted dialogue on faith, gender, sex, sexuality and Scripture/religious teachings
• Began or initiated pro-inclusive messaging, support group, services to LGBTI

6. “MSAIDIZI” (THE CIVIL SOCIETY OR CORPORATE ALLY AWARD.)

To be presented to a civil society, corporate organization ally committed to the mainstreaming of the human rights of LGBTIQ individuals in their work;

a) Had, or has, the potential of having a demonstrable impact on LGBTI human rights and democracy in the country, through the quantity and quality of their work;
b) Led the development of contemporary strategies to fight for LGBTI human rights;
c) Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various types of LGBTI human rights;
d) Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
e) Developed policies and implemented them in a participatory manner;
f) Shown high levels of accountability and respect for the rule of law;
g) Developed sustainable solutions to reduce anti-LGBTI hate, stigma and discrimination.
h) Fostered positive inter group relations among LGBTI persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
i) Consistently, and in the long term, demonstrated dedication and commitment to the LGBTI human rights agenda;
j) Observance of the values of probity, self-regulation, justice, service, cooperation, prudence and respect.

7. “NYEKUNDU” (HIV/AIDS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD)
To be presented to an individual who has made the greatest contribution in the fight against HIV among LGBTIQ individuals in Kenya

8. “TUKIO” (EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD)
Recognizing a national LGBTIQ event that most significantly mobilizes LGBTIQ individuals to celebrate our culture, diversity and freedom, openly and strongly

9. “MWAJIRI” (EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD)
Recognizing employers that have been nondiscriminating in hiring LGBTIQ individuals, and that are creating an affirming and supportive work environment and promoting sexual diversity and LGBTIQ culture in the workforce.

10. “BIASHARA” (BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD)
Recognizing businesses and business persons whose businesses have been most supportive of LGBTIQ individuals and groups as clients, staff and partners.

11. “NGUZO” (AWARD FOR THE PILLAR OF SUPPORT)
Recognizing funding partners and government agencies/departments whose financial investments and technical support has made the most significant contribution to the health, rights and wellbeing of LGBTIQ individuals in Kenya.

12. “MWONGOZI” (POLITICIAN/PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR AWARD)
Recognizing political leaders or politicians who have contributed significantly to the promotion of equality and nondiscrimination of LGBTIQ individuals, including challenging negative cultural attitudes, protecting LGBTIQ individuals from maltreatment and/or initiating campaigns to fight homo/transphobia.

B. The Prize
The prize for each category is a symbolic human rights sculpture, and a certificate of merit, for the winner, and certificate of recognition for the runners up. There are no monetary prizes.

C. Eligibility

The Awards are eligible for Kenyan citizens and institutions in Kenya.

D. Entry Rules

a) The nominating individual or institution is required to fill in the official application form and e-mail it along with their entry to the addresses provided in the nomination form. There are no entry fees.
b) All nominations will be received, vetted and judged by the Awards committee
c) The nominating individual/ institution must:

i) State clearly what category of nominations they are nominating in.
ii) Briefly describe the activities in which the nominee has been involved and state the reasons that make him or her qualify for the award.
iii) Explain how the individual or institution has contributed to positive change and to compare the conditions before the initiative started to after its completion.
d) All persons and organizations nominated may be contacted to provide additional information.
e) The deadline for submission of all nominations is DECEMBER 10TH 2013
f) National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission members of staff and their partners, and families are not eligible for nomination.
g) The Commission’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
h) The Commission has the right to reject an entry, which, in its opinion, does not comply with the requirements of the competition.
i) The Commission may take a decision to award NO prize in any category.
j) An Award shall only be revoked if the information received by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission regarding the nominee was later found to be fraudulent or incorrect.
k) If an Awardee is found to be in direct contravention of the LGBTI human rights agenda for which they were nominated, the NGLHRC will distance itself from such an awardee. However, the award will not be withdrawn. This is because, apart from the Shujaa (Lifetime Achievement) Award that is given on the basis of a lifelong human rights defense, the performance of the awardees in the other categories are evaluated in the one year period preceding the Award.

SEND YOUR NOMINEE TO [email][email protected] BEFORE MIDNIGHT OF DECEMBER 10, 2013