Gambiaj.com – (YAOUNDE, Cameroon) – In a bold move that has set social media ablaze, Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, publicly came out on June 30, 2024. The 26-year-old, who recently ventured into a career as a rapper under the stage name King Nasty, posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her kissing another woman, identified as Brazilian Layyons Valença. Accompanying the photo was a heartfelt message: “I’m crazy about you, and I want everyone to know it.”
This public declaration of love comes in a country where homosexuality is heavily criminalized. Cameroon’s penal code, specifically Article 347-1, mandates prison sentences ranging from six months to five years, along with hefty fines, for same-sex relations. Brenda Biya’s coming out has therefore thrust her into the center of a heated debate, both online and offline.
The photo, which features Brenda Biya and her partner in a tender kiss, has generated widespread discussion. While the comments section of her post is disabled, preventing direct feedback on her account, the topic has exploded across the internet. Shakiro, a well-known transgender activist from Cameroon now living in exile in Belgium due to persecution, praised Brenda’s courage. Shakiro expressed hope that this bold act could accelerate the decriminalization of homosexuality in Cameroon.
Journalist Boris Bertolt, also in exile, used this opportunity to challenge the authorities. In a tweet, he highlighted the hypocrisy of the law, demanding the release of the estimated twenty individuals imprisoned for their sexual orientation. He provocatively suggested that if the law is to be applied universally, Brenda Biya should also face arrest.
Renowned lawyer and human rights advocate Maître Alice Nkom, who has long campaigned for the decriminalization of homosexuality, commended Brenda’s bravery. She views this moment as a potential turning point for the LGBTQIA+ community in Cameroon, suggesting that Brenda’s visibility and her father’s political influence could instigate meaningful change.
As reactions continue to pour in, President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon for 42 years and established one of Africa’s most repressive environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals, faces a unique dilemma. The coming days will reveal whether this personal revelation within his family will prompt a reevaluation of Cameroon’s stringent anti-homosexuality laws or if the status quo will persist.
