image credit: instagram
A photograph of Cameroon’s president’s daughter kissing another woman has sparked varied emotions in a nation where same-sex partnerships are prohibited.
The Instagram photo shows 26-year-old Brenda Biya hugging Layyons Valença.
Ms. Biya added, “I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” adding a love heart emoji.
One of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, her 91-year-old father, Paul Biya, became president in 1982.
Same-sex activities or partnerships in Central Africa may result in five years in prison.
Ms Biya, a foreign musician known as King Nasty, did not reveal her sexuality while publishing the kiss photo.
Ms Biya tweeted a Le Monde piece after the photograph was published, claiming she had “come out”.
Other expressions of encouragement were also exchanged.
Transgender Ms Biya’s Instagram post might be a “turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon” according to activist Shakiro.
Shakiro said Biya “is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted”.
Shakiro lives in Belgium. She requested shelter after being convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon.
Some Cameroonian social media users complimented Ms. Biya, while others made homophobic insults.
Given her penchant for controversial social media postings in Cameroon, some have assumed that Ms Biya published the photo intentionally create a stir.
Coming out has also been questioned as a luxury for a select people in the nation.
“I love this for Cameroon’s First Daughter,” LGBT activist Bandy Kiki said on Facebook.
However, data shows that Cameroon’s anti-LGBT legislation disproportionately target the poor. Some are protected by wealth and connections, while others suffer.”
Cameroon’s LGBT legislation have been criticized by human rights organizations.
Human Rights Watch asked Cameroon to “take urgent action to revoke this discriminatory law and to ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, are upheld” in 2022
Known Cameroonian LGBT rights lawyer Barrister Alice Nkom called Ms Biya a “model of courage” who is “sending an important universal message of love”.
Ms Biya’s newest photo hasn’t been covered by the Cameroonian media. The media authority has sanctioned publications and broadcasters for gay representations.
The administration and President Biya have not commented on the report.
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