The daughter of Cameroon’s president expressed her hope that by publicly declaring herself as a lesbian, she could contribute to changing laws that prohibit homosexuality in the country.
In an interview published by the French newspaper Le Parisien on Tuesday, Brenda Biya, aged 27 who resides between the United States and Switzerland, disclosed that she had publicly revealed her s3xual orientation through an Instagram post on June 30.
She mentioned that she had not informed her family about her s3xuality before posting a photo of herself kissing her girlfriend.
“There are many individuals in similar situations as mine who endure suffering due to their identity,” she expressed. “If I can offer them hope, alleviate their sense of isolation, and spread love, I am content.”
Homos3xual relationships are subject to penalties of up to five years in prison under Cameroon’s penal code.
Brenda Biya’s father, Paul Biya, aged 91 and serving as Cameroon’s leader for four decades, has not publicly addressed this matter.
She noted that the law penalizing gay s3x was in place before her father assumed office in 1982.
She expressed hope that sharing her story would contribute to legislative change.
In the interview, Brenda Biya suggested, “It may be premature for it to vanish entirely, but we could consider making it less stringent. Initially, removing the prison sentence could be a step.”
Bandy Kiki, a Cameroonian activist for LGBT rights based in Britain, expressed her happiness for Biya, noting that Biya’s disclosure affirms the presence of LGBT individuals in Cameroon.
However, Kiki pointed out a stark reality: laws against LGBT individuals in Cameroon unfairly target the economically disadvantaged. “Some benefit from wealth and connections as a shield while others endure severe consequences,” she stated.
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