Sauti Sol lead singer Bien has come out to show support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) community in Kenya.
Speaking to TV47 via video link from London, Bien shared his opinion on the LGBTQ debate that has been raging on in the country since the Supreme Court ruling that allowed members of the community to register NGO groups.
Bien stressed that he is a strong supporter of the homosexual community, noting that Kenyans have no business snooping on what people do in their bedrooms.
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The Sauti Sol singer further stated that the LGBTQ debate was distracting Kenyans from the main issues affecting the country like corruption.
"Mi nasupport LGBTQ sana. Mi nasupport watu kufanya kenye wanataka expression yao. Hio Kenya shida zetu ni njaa, shida zetu ni economic empowerment, shida zetu ni proper education in our schools… There are so many problems that come before this LGBTQ issue lakini I feel like the government is using this to hoodwink you guys and to remove your attention from the things that actually matter.
"Lakini LGBTQ si shida kubwa kuliko corruption kwa hio country so please focus on the things that are important hio LGBTQ si shida ya mtu kenye mtu anafanya kwa bedroom. Shida ambayo inatukumba sisi wote na inatuinvolve sisi wote ni corruption, ni proper education in our schools. What is the education system teaching our children? Kuna njaa in northern Kenya, why are we still experiencing Kenyans who are dying of hunger. Unataka kuniambia LGBTQ community ikiisha njaa itapotea? corruption itapotea? Kuna so many things that are going wrong but we are focusing n the wrong things.
"So please guys hio energy munabringia LGBTQ pelekeni pia hio energy kwa vitu zingine ambazo zinamake sense kama corruption, kama education, health care," Bien said.
Chimano
Bien's sentiment is seen as showing support for Sauti Sol's singer Chimano who is openly gay.
Willis Austin Chimano of all boys band Sauti Sol publicly come out as gay in December 2021 after years of hiding his true sexuality.
Chimano revealed his true sexuality while releasing his debut single ‘Friday Feeling’.
'Friday Feeling' was the first single off his EP titled ‘Heavy is the Crown’, which was released in early 2022.
An EP (extended play record) is a medium-length album that has a fewer number of songs than an LP or full-length album. [sic]
The 7-track ‘Heavy is the Crown’ EP marked the beginning of a new chapter for Chimano, a chapter where he is completely open about his sexuality.
Ahead of the song's release, Chimano informed that the song ‘Friday Feeling’ was about having a good time and embracing the feeling of freedom.
“Going out and having fun shouldn't be an uphill task because you immediately start thinking of the inhibitions that may affect you. ‘Friday Feeling’ is about embracing your body, your outfit, your crew and your hard earned money. This song is about having a good time and in my case a good a** queer time. It's a feeling of freedom. Do you, be extra, be alive and free! That’s Friday Feeling!” He said.
