Cameroon President’s lesbian daughter has made case for LGBTQ rights.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, is seeking a change to the country’s anti-homosexuality laws.
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She made the case for the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Queer (LGBTQ) community in an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien published on Tuesday.
She had shocked many observers on June 30 when she came out as lesbian.
In an Instagram post, the 27-year-old, who splits her time between the United States and Switzerland, shared a photo of herself kissing her girlfriend.
She now hoped that her public announcement would inspire the government led by her father to affirm LGBTQ rights in a country where same-sex relations is currently criminal.
Cameroon’s penal code punishes same-sex relations with up to five years in prison.
Speaking to Le Parisien, Brenda revealed that she had not come out to her family prior to her public announcement.
“There are plenty of people in the same situation as me who suffer because of who they are,” she said.
“If I can give them hope, help them feel less alone, if I can send love, I am happy.”
Despite her father’s longstanding leadership—Biya has been in power since 1982—he has not publicly commented on his daughter’s revelation.
Brenda highlighted that the anti-homosexuality law predated her father’s presidency.
She expressed hope that her openness could spark legislative changes.
“It may be too soon for it to disappear completely but it could be less strict. We could first eliminate the prison sentence,” she suggested.
Meanwhile, Cameroonian LGBTQ rights activist Bandy Kiki, based in Britain, praised Brenda’s courage.
“She has affirmed the existence of LGBT people in Cameroon,” Kiki said.
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However, she pointed out the disparity in how anti-LGBTQ laws are enforced, noting that the wealthy and well-connected often avoid severe consequences, while the poor face harsh penalties.
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