George Barasa popularly known as Joji Baro has opened up
about his struggle being at odds with society. Joji Baro is openly gay and he
is also HIV positive – both his sexuality and condition are stigmatized by the
Kenyan public.
Joji Baro has had to live in a society that treats him as an
outcast. The gay singer is however heartbroken that people just judge him based
on his sexuality and condition rather than the content of his character.
“Sometimes I sit down and think I’m not a good singer, but
each time I try to make an effort to sing better, institutionalized hate tries
to stop me. Am I that bad that no one would like to hear me out?” said Joji
Baro on POZ magazine – a publication for people living with and affected by
HIV/AIDS .
Joji Baro also says that finding simple things in life is a major challenge for him. He reveals that he can’t find the love of his life because of his status.
“My family ejected me from home for being gay, and I had to
drop out of school due to lack of money. That’s how I became an activist and
artist. I have been evicted and arrested countless times for being gay. Against
all odds, I have successfully built my niche in the entertainment and human
rights sector. What breaks my heart is that I cannot achieve simple things in
life, such as finding the love of my life. People avoid me either because I’m
openly gay or HIV positive.”
