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Paper short abstract:

Guided by critical discourse analysis, the study presents the discursive strategies employed by social media users in constructing heterosexuality and homophobia against the social, political, cultural and historical realities of the Kenyan society.

Paper long abstract:

On 6th January 2023, Edwin Kingetich Chiloba, a Kenyan activist for LGBTQ rights as well as a fashion designer and model, was brutally murdered at the tender age of 25. While his murderers were apprehended and held in custody awaiting prosecution, the commentaries on popular social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter by both politicians and ordinary citizens regarding his sexual orientation trivialized his death. Guided by critical discourse analysis, which aims to explore the link between language use and social practice, this study examines the discursive strategies employed by social media users in constructing heterosexuality and homophobia against the social, political, cultural and historical realities of the Kenyan society. The data analysed is collected from purposively selected posts by Kenyans on Facebook during the period between Chiloba’s death on 6th January and his burial on 17th January. Among the findings of the study is the euphemistic reference of homosexuals as the alphabet people, in reference to LGBTQ and homosexuality assigned the epithets: foreign, unafrican, sinful, demonic, unchristian, ungodly, dirty, sickening, unnatural and deserving of death. The language used reflects the societal, cultural, and social meanings of sexuality and gender in the Kenyan society. Despite these, it is concluded that while lexical choices made by social media users in constructing homophobia abound, there are a few comments that express tolerance and acceptance which is indicative of progress in the fight against discrimination and prejudice especially in a context where homosexuality is criminalized and punishable under the Penal Code.