US President Barack Obama has told the BBC he will continue to deliver his "blunt message" to African leaders about gay rights and discrimination.
"I am not a fan of discrimination and bullying of anybody on the basis of race... religion... sexual orientation or gender," he said.
Mr Obama was talking ahead of a trip to his ancestral home of Kenya.
The visit also demonstrated US commitment to fighting terror in East Africa, he said.
It will be his first visit to Kenya since becoming president.
He will also become the first US leader to address the African Union when he travels on to Ethiopia on Sunday.
Mr Obama has faced criticism in some African countries after the US legalised gay marriage. However, the president said he would not fall silent on the issue.
The US leader also admitted that some African governments, including Kenya's, needed to improve their records on human rights and democracy.
However, he defended his decision to engage with and visit those governments.
"Well, they're not ideal institutions. But what we found is, is that when we combined blunt talk with engagement, that gives us the best opportunity to influence and open up space for civil society."
Credit: BBC
