The daughter of one of the world's longest-serving presidents acknowledges she is a lesbian. "I'm crazy about you"
The daughter of the President of Cameroon, who has been in power for 42 years, has acknowledged that she is a lesbian after first sharing a photo of herself kissing another woman. The young woman lives abroad, but in the country led by her father, she would now face 5 years in prison.
The daughter of the President of Cameroon shared an image in which she is kissing another woman, sparking mixed reactions in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal, writes BBC.
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The Instagram post shows 26-year-old Brenda Biya embracing and kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença. "I'm crazy about you and I want the world to know it", Biya wrote, adding a heart emoji.
Her father, 91-year-old Paul Biya, became President of Cameroon in 1982 and is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. Those who engage in homosexual acts or same-sex relationships in the Central African nation risk up to 5 years in prison.
Brenda Biya - a musician living abroad who goes by the name King Nasty - did not explicitly declare her sexuality when she posted the kissing photo.
However, shortly after the image was published, Biya shared an article from Le Monde, in which the French newspaper reported that she had acknowledged her homosexuality. She also shared other messages from people expressing their support for her.
Transgender activist from Cameroon, Shakiro, was among those who praised Brenda Biya, saying her Instagram post could be a "turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon".
"Riches and connections create a shield for some"
Shakiro said that Biya "is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted". Shakiro currently lives in Belgium, where she sought asylum after being convicted of "attempted homosexuality" in Cameroon.
Although Brenda Biya has been praised by some, many social media users in Cameroon responded to her post with homophobic comments.
Some speculated whether Biya shared the photo just to generate a scandal, given her reputation for posting on social media in ways that stir controversy among Cameroonians.
There were also questions about whether acknowledging her sexual orientation is a privilege that only a few in this country can enjoy.
"I love this for the first daughter of Cameroon", said LGBT activist Bandy Kiki in a Facebook post.
"However, it highlights a harsh reality: Cameroon's anti-LGBT laws disproportionately target the poor. Riches and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences".
Cameroonian media did not report on the president's daughter's acknowledgment of her homosexuality
Human rights groups have previously criticized Cameroon's strict laws against LGBT members.
In 2022, Human Rights Watch called on Cameroon "to urgently take steps to repeal this discriminatory law and ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual characteristics, are respected".
Lawyer Alice Nkom, a renowned human rights advocate who defends LGBT people in Cameroon, said that Brenda Biya is a "model of courage" who "sends an important universal message of love".
Most media outlets in Cameroon did not report on the recent photo of the president's daughter. It is known that the media regulatory body sanctions publications and broadcasters for portraying homosexuality.
Neither the government - nor President Biya himself - has officially commented on this story.
