 "Why has Cameroon's first daughter's Instagram kiss sparked an LGBTQ+ debate?")
Brenda Biya, the 26-year-old daughter of Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, has ignited a significant controversy with a recent Instagram post. The image shows her kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença, accompanied by the caption, “I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” with a love heart emoji.
This public display of affection has caused an uproar in Cameroon, where same-sex relationships are illegal and can lead to imprisonment for up to five years.
Paul Biya, 91, has been in power of the central-African nation since 1982, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His daughter’s social media has raised questions about the treatment and rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon.
What was the reaction to the post?
While Brenda did not explicitly state her sexuality in the post, she later shared an article from Le Monde that suggested she had “come out.” This declaration has received mixed reactions.
Some supporters have praised her bravery. Transgender activist Shakiro, who fled to Belgium after being convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon, remarked that Brenda’s post could be a “turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon.”
“Biya is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted,” said Shakiro, reported BBC. Human rights lawyer Alice Nkom also praised Brenda, calling her a “model of courage” and saying she sends an important universal message of love.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I love this for Cameroon’s First Daughter,” LGBT activist Bandy Kiki commented on social media. “However, it highlights a harsh reality: Anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor. Wealth and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences.”
I love this for Brenda Biya (Cameroon’s First Daughter)! However, it highlights a harsh reality: Anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor. Wealth and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences. 🏳️🌈🇨🇲#EqualityForAll pic.twitter.com/G6mQnd1QrR
— Bandy Kiki (Her/She) 🏳️🌈 - LGBT+ (@Bandykiki) July 2, 2024
Despite the support, Brenda’s post has also attracted homophobic comments on social media. Some critics have speculated that she shared the picture to generate controversy, given her history of provocative social media posts.
Others have questioned whether her status as the president’s daughter grants her a level of protection that ordinary citizens do not enjoy.
African dictatorships in a nutshell.
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) July 2, 2024
While homosexuality is illegal in #Cameroon 🇨🇲, with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroonian dictator Paul Biya, can come out as a lesbian, because she lives a life of freedom and luxury abroad. https://t.co/n130WWnWdj
What does the law in Cameroon say?
Cameroon’s Penal Code 2016 criminalises same-sex relationships, leading to arrests based on perceived identity, arbitrary detention, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported a spike in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, including assault, harassment, and murder, often with little intervention from law enforcement. In 2022, HRW urged Cameroon to revoke its discriminatory laws and uphold the human rights of all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Also Read: All you wanted to know about Pride Month and were shy to ask
The National Communication Council of Cameroon has acted to censor media content depicting homosexuality, even suspending channels that violate this policy. In 2023, the government rejected a conference on gender and sexual orientation proposed by the French Ambassador for LGBTQ+ Rights, reinforcing its stance against LGBTQ+ discussions.
How has the Biya family responded?
The Biya family’s response to the controversy has been defensive. Georges Gilbert Baongla, Brenda’s brother and president of the Republican Party of Cameroon, described the discussions surrounding his sister’s post as attempts to discredit the family, reported 76Crimes. He issued a stern warning against such attacks, emphasising the family’s respect for government institutions and the Cameroonian community.
Human rights activists like Alice Nkom believe that Brenda’s public declaration could catalyse the repeal of Article 347-1 of the Penal Code. “Your courage can be crowned with a welcome change,” Nkom stated, urging Biya to consider repealing the law out of love for his daughter.
What is the state of LGBTQ+ community members in Cameroon?
Cameroon remains a challenging environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. In recent years, the persecution of queer people has intensified, with reports of arrests, public harassment, and violence.
Activists like Nfomi Laura Berka and Sally Ndape who is a prominent human rights defender in Cameroon, continue to fight for the recognition and protection of LGBTQ+ rights, despite the government’s crackdown on related discussions and media content.
Berka, who is a civil society activist and human rights advocate and co-executive director of the Community Centre for Integrated Development (CCID), a Buea-based human rights NGO, highlights the contradiction between Cameroon’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals and its commitments to human rights under international treaties in a piece with Fair Planet.
“People should be allowed to freely express themselves regardless of culture and free from discrimination and cohesion,” she said.
Also Read: Thailand set to approve same-sex marriages. Which other Asian countries allow it?
However, given the current political and cultural climate, LGBTQ+ advocates and individuals often have to operate covertly, facing significant risks for their activism. The controversy surrounding Brenda Biya’s Instagram post has brought these issues to the forefront, sparking a critical conversation about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Cameroon.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
