Kenyan author and LGBT activist Binyavanga Wainaina is dead.
The passing of the acclaimed literary giant founder of the Nairobi-based journal Kwani was confirmed by his family. Binyavanga, who came out of the closet as a homosexual on 2014, passed away aged 48.
Binyavanga was one of the most prominent Africans to publicly announce their sexuality, a bold move that sparked international debate.
The 2002 winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, who was named by the Time 100 among the “Most Influential People in the World” in 2014, also drew attention to HIV awareness when he revealed on World AIDS Day in December, 2016 that he was HIV Positive.
“I am HIV Positive and I am happy,” he tweeted the revelation, which was met with support and encouragement.
In May 2018, he also revealed that he had met a man who he was in love with and intended to wed. “Nothing has surprised me more than coming to love this person,” he spoke of his partner, who he said comes from Nigeria, and who he planned to make a life with in South Africa.
Damn, may he RIP
I read somewhere that he had a stroke. Would be the second time. It’s such a disheartening news.
How?
What happened to him?
This is the saddest news I’ve heard in a very long time.