GFX TEXT: AN ENIGMATIC GOSPEL SINGER…

APOSTLE PREACHING  (1D / 59.21): The one who had created man in the world, the one who brought women in this world

GFX TEXT: AND INTERSEX PASTOR

[FINISH GRAB] is the one who brought me in the world.

APOSTLE: She, he, I’m just comfortable with all because that’s me

GFX TEXT: CONFRONTING TRADITIONS…

ANGRY PREACHER PREACHING

GFX TEXT: AND MAKING ENEMIES

AMOS (1.02.46): And you think this is the devils work? 

Yeah. And I recognise the devil's work. 

GFX TEXT: PUTTING HIS LIFE ON THE LINE…

APOSTLE (3C / 1.01.56 some people wanted to rape me.

GFX TEXT: TO PROTECT KENYA’S OUTCASTS

Apostle hugs maureen

FROM PARIAH TO MESSIAH

By Amos Roberts, Calliste Weitenberg and Naima Brown

TITLES

MAP – Kenya – Nairobi – Kisumu - Ndhiwa

6

VO: APOSTLE IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE…

APOSTLE (1C / 40.08): Is OK?

VO: MANY OTHERS LIKE HIM WERE KILLED…

7

APOSTLE INTERVIEW (3C / 59.15): My name is Apostle Dalan Rukie. I am an intersex, part of a female, part of a male.

9

MOTHER (7D / 7:14): After I gave birth to him, when I saw him, I was shocked because it was something that I had never seen before.  I asked myself...what I have given birth to and I covered him. (7.29)

10

APOSTLE: It is so painful God has brought me from far, because I could be killed and my mother kept me and protected me not to be killed.

THOUGHTRACK (SUBBED):In the past people wouldn’t be happy about the birth of an intersex child

NEW VO: BEFORE DOLLY ATIENO’S TIME, TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN RURAL KENYA WITNESSED THE MURDERS OF INTERSEX BABIES

VO: SHE KNOWS JUST HOW FORTUNATE APOSTLE WAS TO HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO LIVE…

SYNC:00:33:42] AMOS: They would die of hunger TRANSLATOR: yes

TRANSITION

13

APOSTLE SINGING AS HE GETS READY FOR CHURCH

VO: APOSTLE’S MOTHER CHOSE TO SAVE HIM…BUT SHE COULDN’T PROTECT HIM FROM THE JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS

15

APOSTLE (3C / 43.28): During the time I was trying to play with my fellow children.

(1.04.50) They were saying that you are an abomination

(1.05.56) You are not a human being

(1.02.52) I was despised and rejected

(44.22) Then my mother told me that, you know, you are born differently and it was God’s Work  and there is no way I could change it

(44.41) That's the way I gave birth to you.

16

VO: TODAY - APOSTLE IS THE PREACHER AT THIS CHRISTIAN MISSION…HIS FOLLOWERS HAVE COME TO ACCEPT AND EVEN REVERE HIM  -  FOR WHO AND WHAT HE… OR SHE IS

APOSTLE (43.01): She, he… I’m just comfortable with all.

AMOS: They’re going to be right no matter what they say.

APOSTLE: No matter what they say, because that’s me. (laughs)

17

VO: SO WITH APOSTLE’S PERMISSION I’LL USE THE MASCULINE PRONOUN

18

VO: HE HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN SO OPEN ABOUT BEING INTERSEX…FOR MANY YEARS HE KEPT IT SECRET…BUT CAME OUT TO HIS FOLLOWERS IN 2012

(3C / 1.36.12):I stood here in the mission and I started telling them "You know, me I was created this way" (1.36.28) I didn't see them being amazed at that, some people were just telling me "we knew it even before we thought you were, we were just waiting for you to confirm it."

1D @ 00:24:36] APOSTLE: Thanks to our mighty god, we shall sing this song.

VO: DESPITE THE TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS VIEWS THAT PREVAIL HERE …HIS CONGREGATION SEE HIM AS A MIRACLE RATHER THAN A FREAK

3C @ 03:16:41 AMOS: Has your mission helped you find acceptance and love?

03:26:27 APOSTLE: I feel loved but you know with this condition of a… of being intersex is very difficult in some areas. You sometimes... you feel loved but sometimes if you… think of… you have memories of… the past, you feel even to cry…

VO: BUT APOSTLE IS LOVED IN CHURCH AND AT HOME WHERE HE LIVES WITH HIS FAMILY

01:34:30:01(wife) You've really cooked, it looks delicious!

20

[00:23:50] When apostle is in male clothes he’s comfortable with it, and so am i, so we’re happy. I’m also comfortable when he is dressed as a female –We are happy and i do not have any problems with his gender.

23

END LUNCH / TRANSITION

25

VO: INTERSEX PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH VARIATIONS IN SEX CHARACTERISTICS, INCLUDING HORMONES AND GENITALS, THAT DON’T FIT TYPICAL DEFINITIONS OF MALE OR FEMALE BODIES.

INTERSEX OR THE THIRD GENDER IS NOT RECOGNISED LEGALLY IN KENYA

IN FACT IT’S VIEWED AS A CURSE

37

MUSIC

38

APOSTLE OFF-CAMERA (7D / 7.50):Hi.

39

APOSTLE EMBRACING MOTHER (7D / 7.56):

40

AMOS (7D / 13.14): What was it like for Apostle growing up?

MOTHER (7D / 14.17): nobody wanted him the boys did not accept him – girls viewed him as a boy and would not socialize with him he had no sense of belonging he spent most of the time with me or by himself he was mostly by himself when i was away from home he would cook and eat by himself while other children ate together that’s what he experienced (14.53)

41

MUSIC – SAD STING

43

VO: IN THE SMALL VILLAGE WHERE APOSTLE GREW UP, LIFE WAS INTIMATE…AND HE COULDN’T HIDE HIS PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES

44

APOSTLE (3C / 45.12):As children who are born near the lake we were going for bathing together and we removed clothes. (45.25) My mum was trying to stop me going with them. (1.01.56) Always they were threatening me and teasing me. Some people wanted to strip me off, some people wanted to rape me.

26

PASTOR KENNEDY INTERVIEW (2C / 1.15.41): An intersex is something that needs to be prayed against. 

VO: PASTOR KENNEDY ODENY DOESN’T THINK APOSTLE IS FIT TO BE A CHURCH LEADER.

27

PASTOR KENNEDY PREACHING (2C / 23.21):

It is very hard for a poor man to go to heaven because a poor man will always complain. 

28

PASTOR KENNEDY INTERVIEW (2C /

1.02.32):  The Devil can interfere with God’s creation.

AMOS (1.02.46): you think this is the devils work? 

Yeah. I think so. And I recognise the devil's work. 

30

PASTOR KENNEDY INTERVIEW (2C / 1:04:24): Let me ask you a question, when you remain female and male where you want to live, how do you want to identify yourself? Which kind of sex do you want to be around? Because I cannot trust you with my wife, she cannot trust you with her husband, so how - where do we place you?

31

PASTOR (2C / 35.44):In the name of Jesus, we pray for him. Somebody say ‘Amen.’

33

WOMAN (2C 47.37):AMOS: You have heard of Apostle Darlan Rukih? 

WOMAN: Yes. It's a man and a woman. (47.47)

(48.01) It's not normal. (48.19) God created male and female

34

2 WOMEN (2C / 51.45):He has both genders, one of them is hanging and the other one is like deep inside… that’s how it is, right? (52.08)

33.50):

In the name of Jesus, I cast out this spirit…

NEW VO: PASTOR ODENY ALSO SUSPECTS THAT APOSTLE IS A CHARLATAN… 

01:08:17] A/ very close to your church here is Apostle Darlan Rukih - who says he is intersex, who leads a church, how do you feel about this person? 

[01:08:33] K/ Number one I am not very sure whether he is intersex or no - but I have heard him proclaim [01:09:02] K/ Delan Rukih says that he is a miraculous just like Jesus. And he uses this to win favour from people.[01:09:19] 2 i think he is using that state to lure people to follow him or to make followers. So I don't - agree with him. 

[01:09:41] A/ Are you saying that you're not sure if he is intersex or not? 

[01:09:46] K/ I'm not sure

PASTOR KENNEDY: Whether you are born in the bush, or you are born in the toilet, you are born in the will of God.

APOSTLE: Just as you love me, I love you too because we are all equal before him. 

PASTOR KENNEDY: My God is God of success.

APOSTLE: If you’re lacking something, God is here for you. 

PASTOR KENNEDY: Faster! Faster! They’ve come to kill me.

[02:12:51] AMOS: The pastor we spoke to also said he didn't believe you were intersex. He suspected that it was an act to attract followers that were pretending to be intersex, 

02:59:39] APOSTLE: what he's saying is just because, he wants to see. And this the privacy of somebody. Why don't women also show their private parts to prove that they are women? Why don't… should men not to prove that they are men by showing their private parts. Why should I prove that I am intersex.

NEW VO: CURIOSITY ABOUT APOSTLE’S BODY IS SOMETHING HE SPENT MANY YEARS TRYING TO AVOID…

45

MUSIC

50

3C @ [01:21:23] AMOS: You did your best to look like a man

[01:21:24] : Yes I did my best to look like a man. I tried to change my style of walking. 3C / 1.20.20): It was very, very terrible to me, because you are living like somebody who is in a jail

51

VO HE SAYS THE WORST TIME OF HIS LIFE WAS ADOLESCENCE

[01:07:37] APOSTLE: I started experiencing menstruation period. That was the thing that was tormenting me, and my breasts coming.

[01:08:50] AMOS: You made a couple of suicide attempts?

[01:08:53] APOSTLE: yes during the time my foster father told me that "you are not my child, I want you to leave this home and go wherever you want to go and if you don't then kill yourself". *STARTS CRYING* [01:11:53] I didn't know where to go, I was still young

52

MOM & APOSTLE

53

UPSOT OLDER GOSPEL VIDEO

NEW VO: DESPITE HIS INNER TURMOIL, APOSLTE EVENTUALLY GAINED A REPUTATION AS A GOSPEL SINGER…

GOSPEL UPSOT

VO: IN A WORLD OF COSTUMES & PERFORMANCE, APOSTLE PROBABLY FELT SAFE EXPLORING HIS FEMININE SIDE….BUT AS HIS FAME GREW AND HIS VIDEOS HIT YOUTUBE…

56

VO: HE EXPERIENCED A BACKLASH

57

APOSTLE (3C / 1.23.47):The people who were selling my dvds were telling me that people are asking us, "This person is he gay or he is transgender?  Who is he?

58

AMOS:1.24.40:Is being gay a problem here in Kenya?

APOSTLE (1.25.37):It is not allowed in Kenya.

[01:29:10] AMOS: But you do think that homosexuality is a sin? It is bad?

[01:29:13] APOSTLE: To me I know it is bad because biblically it is bad, but I don't blame those people who are doing it

59

VO: IN KENYA, BEING GAY IS CONSIDERED A CHOICE, AN ILLEGAL CHOICE. BEING INTERSEX IS SEEN AS A MEDICAL CONDITION, AND WHILE STILL STIGMATIZED, IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW

60

UPSOT GOSPEL VIDEO

61

APOSTLE CAME OUT PUBLICALLY AFTER FINDING ACCEPTANCE AT HIS MISSION, WHERE HE OFFERED SHELTER TO OTHERS WHO WERE STRUGGLING

62

APOSTLE INTERVIEW (3C / 1.17.05): I thought to get a place where I can have some people with problem like me

63

AMOS (3C / 1.17.32): So you were an outcast and you have created a community for other outcasts

APOSTLE: Yes, other outcasts.

64

APOSTLE I (1.17.50) Orphans are here. Widows and widowers. And ah, mentally sick. (1.18.12) People with disability.1.18.30) They are still needed in society, despite the rejection they have passed through.

65

APOSTLE (1.00.08) I don't feel discriminated amongst you because we are all equal.

66

CHURCH MUSIC (1D / 47.19)

67

TO HIS CONGREGATION, BEING BOTH MAN AND WOMAN HAS GIVEN APOSTLE ALMOST MYTHIC STATUS… NOW MORE THAN EVER THEY SEE HIM AS A HOLY MAN, CAPABLE OF BESTOWING BLESSINGS…

68

APOSTLE PREACHES (1D / 59.16): 

God is the creator who creates everybody. and is the one who creates the intersex.

70

HAPPY SONG (1D / 34.12)

71

VO: AGAINST ALL ODDS, APOSTLE HAS CARVED OUT A SAFE SPACE FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FOLLOWERS, PREACHING TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTANCE… AND IT’S HAVING A WIDER IMPACT.

72

APOSTLE SINGING / DANCING

112

ARCHIVE NAIROBI INTERSEX PROTEST

113

VO: IN 2016, PROTESTERS IN NAIROBI CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE LAWS RECOGNISING A THIRD GENDER, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE…A FIGHT THAT HAS THE SUPPORT OF AN MP WHO ALSO KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO FEEL OSTRACISED…

114

(22.11) The legal recognition of intersex people is very important because if you are not recognised by law then you don't exist! 

115

(1C / 52.10):This is a photo of myself - the official portrait when I was running for parliament in the last election. 

117

ISAAC MWAURA INTERVIEW (1C / 3.19):

My connection with this is because of course I am a person with albinism and I know how is it to be different in this society. 

122

VO: ISAAC MWAURA IS A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR MINORITY RIGHTS – BUT NOT ALL MINORITIES. HE SAYS IT’S WISER FOR INTERSEX PEOPLE NOT TO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT

123

(1C / 32.45):I think I would not want to engage in that. I don't think our society is ready for that. I think it would work against our mission here, that I can tell you for sure.

125

MWAURA IS OPTIMISTIC, BUT ANTICIPATES A LONG FIGHT FOR RECOGNITION OF A THIRD GENDER.

126

(1C / 34.47): The churches and other pressure groups are very, very powerful in matters of politics and social aspects of life, because we are 80% Christian society. (29.03) we expect resistance. I'll be very surprised to be honest if the proposed bill just passes without any ruckus. I'm sure there will be. 

VO: IN A COUNTRY WHERE BEING GAY IS A CRIME…RECOGNITION FOR INTERSEX RIGHTS WON’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT…

TRANSITION TO APOSTLE IN MARKET

81

MUSIC

82

AMOS (22.29): Do you always attract a crowd like this when you go out?

APOSTLE: (laughs) Yes, yes, yes, I do.

VO: IN THE MEANTIME APOSTLE DOESN’T TRY TO HIDE HIS INTERSEXUALITY…

Apostle: Lip balm… neutral.

Apostle’s friend: Neutral, neutral.

VO: IN FACT, HE FLAUNTS IT.

UPSOT:Apostle: What about this one? How much is it? Shop attendant: Two… two-twenty. 

IT SOMETIMES STRIKES ME THAT IN KENYA, COMING OUT AS INTERSEX WOULD BE A LOT EASIER THAN COMING OUT AS GAY OR TRANSGENDER.

84

(4D / (26.02): This is very different to the way things used to be, yeah?

APOSTLE: Yes

85

APOSTLE (33.35):When I leave here, pour your blessings upon their lives and one day may you provide, especially for those who work here.  Bless them with cars in the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen. Thank you, thank you.

APOSTLE EXITS SUPERMARKET (4D / 31.45):

May God bless you so much.

86

MAN IN CROWD (32.52): Pray for us before you leave!

APOSTLE LEADS PRAYER IN LANGUAGE

89

APOSTLE WALKS OFF WITH ENTOURAGE

90

VO: THERE’S NO DENYING APOSTLE’S ROLE IN CHIPPING AWAY AT THE STIGMA AROUND INTERSEX PEOPLE

91

(4D / 38.19): Talk to us… please talk to us…

4D / 37.59):I have prayed!

92

AMOS (4D / 40.18):You’re a real local celebrity!

APOSTLE:Yes. (laughs)

93

MUSIC

94

VO: IT’S THE DECADES HE SPENT FEELING OSTRICISED, AND ABUSED THAT HAVE ENCOURAGED HIM TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS LIKE HIM

95

(4D / 1.07.14):Welcome, MAUREEN:Welcome.

96

NEW VO: JUST HAVING APOSTLE VISIT CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING FOR AN INTERSEX PERSON LIKE MAUREEN…

APOSTLE (1.07.34):Today I’ve come in person.  Are you happy?

NEIGHBOURS WHO USUALLY SHUN HER – SEE THE CELEBRITY HOLY MAN PAYING HER A PERSONAL VISIT…THEY WANT TO JOIN IN WELCOMING HIM AND TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO ACCEPTING HER…

99

MAUREEN):The reason why they were rejecting me is because they believed I wasn’t normal, I had a girl’s face and a boy’s face at the same time

101

MAUREEN INTERVIEW ( 1.49.02?):

I kept asking myself why God created me like this. [TRIM] How I wish you would make me a dog, somebody would have killed me by now.”

102

MUSIC Sitting down for counselling (4D 1.12.16)

VO: MAUREEN KNOWS HER LIFE WILL IMPROVE AFTER APOSTLE’S VISIT…HER GRATITUDE IS OVERWHELMING

104

MAUREEN CRYING (4D / 1.13.10)

00:10:51:10

What’s making you cry?

- You’ve been ashamed.

- Yes.

Those who were ashamed of you

now regret it

when they see the good things

happening in your life.

So, try being happy about that.

- Try to be happy.

- That’s the joy you should hold on to.

Okay.

105

APOSTLE SINGING TO VILLAGERS

106

MAUREEN INTERVIEW (5D / 17.28): i feel free – Apostle comforted me when i was sad – i know see there are others created like myself – i feel more human now

107

APOSTLE SITTING DOWN IN THRONE (2D /

108

VO: EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MISSION, APOSTLE HOLDS A TALENT SHOW…HE ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO JOIN IN – ALL THE MISFITS AND OUTCASTS WHO’VE BECOME FAMILY TO HIM

109

AND HE’S INVITED MAUREEN ALONG…

110

(3C / 3.08.59): There are some intersex who are coming behind me. (3.09.06) If a foundation can be built for them to feel good and to know that they are also human beings like others… A situation where they will not be discriminated, I will be more excited.

112

NEW VO: MOST INTERSEX PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN THE SHADOWS…BUT A GENERATION AGO, THIS…WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE…

113

APOSTLE INTERVIEW (3C / 3.09.54):My life now.  I see it’s good. (3.11.00) I feel good because I'm living a life, which is me.

114

FINAL DANCING FLOURISH