Kenya, Sept. 30 -- Mombasa, a major port city in coastal Kenya, is known for its beautiful beaches and its history, with a blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European influence. It's also a conservative area, where belonging to a stigmatized community can be tricky.

Here, people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, sex workers, and people who use drugs are collectively referred to as "key populations." This is World Health Organization (WHO) terminology for people bearing a higher burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), for whom there is a greater need for support in the fight against HIV.

Key populations in Mombasa face a disproportionate burden of health and social challenges. According to the 2...