US based businesswoman, Nafula Sharleen, has shared a shocking glimpse of what first-time Kenyans experience when they arrive in the United States, especially around issues of same-sex relationships and gender identity.
In a Facebook post that quickly went viral, Nafula described her “culture shock” after encountering strict protections for LGBTQ+ communities, referring to them as “wasee wa bendera ya rangi sita” (people of the rainbow flag).
She warned that negative comments about same-sex couples are immediately censored and could attract legal consequences.
Nafula also highlighted the complexities of gender transition in the US. She recounted her surprise at learning about individuals assigned male at birth undergoing hormone treatments and surgeries to become female, and vice versa.
“Utapata wasee wamefanya surgery ya kua wanaume wanakaa Mamorio kuliko Mamorio original,” she wrote, referring to surgeries like phalloplasty and vaginoplasty.
She explained that such individuals can legally change their birth certificates and IDs, making it difficult to know someone’s biological gender at first glance.
She further shared cautionary tales about unknowingly marrying someone who had transitioned, noting that some people may have been in previous marriages and appeared infertile due to being transgender.
Nafula urged Kenyans moving to the US to verify the background of their partners to avoid surprises.
“Ukifika majuu acha mbio. Kabla umarry enda childhood home ya huyo mtu wako uhakikishe ni dem ama Morio biologically,” she wrote, emphasizing the importance of understanding a partner’s biological gender before marriage.
The post also stressed the need to respect LGBTQ+ rights in the US, warning that failure to do so could lead to accusations of discrimination.
Nafula’s vivid storytelling, mixing Sheng and Swahili, resonated with many Kenyans navigating life abroad, offering both entertainment and a cautionary note.
Her post sparked intense discussion online, with thousands of comments sharing similar experiences, questions, and reactions to the “bendera ya rangi sita” culture in the US.
Nafula’s candid account provides a rare, firsthand Kenyan perspective on the social norms and legal protections surrounding LGBTQ+ communities in America, serving as both a guide and a warning for newcomers.