By Overview
Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s president, has publicly come out as a lesbian, hoping to inspire change in the country’s laws that ban same-sex relations.
Announcement and Reactions
In an interview with Le Parisien, Biya expressed her desire to inspire others in similar situations. She shared an image of herself kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença, which received mixed reactions in Cameroon.
“I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” Biya wrote in her Instagram post. She did not inform her family before making the post, believing that coming out publicly could send a strong message.
Legal Context and Family Response
Biya described the anti-gay law, which predates her father’s presidency, as “unfair” and hoped her story would contribute to changing it. Paul Biya, her father, has been Cameroon’s president since 1982.
Biya revealed that her brother was angry about her post, and her parents later asked her to delete it. Since then, she has had no further communication with them regarding the matter.
Personal Journey
Biya, who has been with Valença for eight months, had previously taken her partner to Cameroon without revealing their relationship to her family. She spoke about her first crush on a girl at 16 and the difficulties of expressing her love due to the legal situation in Cameroon.
Legal and Social Implications
Same-sex relations in Cameroon are illegal and punishable by up to five years in prison. There has been no official comment from the president or the first lady. A government source told RFI that the matter concerns Biya’s private life and does not impact Cameroon or the head of state.
Support and Criticism
Rights groups have praised Biya’s revelation as courageous. However, questions have been raised about whether coming out is a privilege reserved for a select few. LGBT activist Bandy Kiki highlighted that anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor, with wealth and connections providing protection for some.
Legal Action
A group supporting the current laws filed a complaint against Biya to the public prosecutor. Philippe Nsoue from the DDHP Movement emphasized that no one, including the president’s daughter, is above the law and called for judicial recourse for any actions against the country’s stance on LGBT issues.
