Cameroon President’s Daughter Brenda Biya Comes Out as Gay

Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, has come out as a lesbian, igniting a wave of reactions in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal. Biya, who lives between the United States and Switzerland, made her announcement through an Instagram post on June 30, sharing a photo of herself kissing her girlfriend, Brazilian model Layyons Valença.

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, Biya revealed that she had not come out to her family before publicly posting the photo. She expressed her hope that her openness would bring hope and support to others facing similar struggles. “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’m happy.”

Cameroon’s penal code punishes same-sex relations with up to five years in prison. Biya, 27, noted that the law existed before her father assumed power in 1982. She hopes her story will lead to legislative changes, at least starting with the elimination of prison sentences for same-sex acts.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Bandy Kiki, a Cameroonian LGBT rights activist based in Britain, praised Biya for affirming the existence of LGBT people in Cameroon but also pointed out the disparity in how anti-LGBT laws impact the wealthy versus the poor. “Wealth and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences,” Kiki said.

Transgender Cameroonian activist Shakiro, who sought asylum in Belgium after being convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon, also praised Biya. She described the Instagram post as potentially a “turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon,” noting that Biya is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country deeply entrenched in taboos.

Brazilian model Layyons Valença

Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s president

Despite the support from some quarters, Biya’s post has also attracted homophobic comments from several social media users in Cameroon. Some speculate that she might have shared the picture to generate buzz, given her history of controversial social media posts.

Human rights groups have long criticised Cameroon’s strict anti-LGBT laws. In 2022, Human Rights Watch called on Cameroon to revoke the discriminatory law and ensure the human rights of all Cameroonians are upheld, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Renowned human rights lawyer Alice Nkom, who defends LGBT people in Cameroon, commended Biya for her courage. “She is sending an important universal message of love,” Nkom said.

Most Cameroonian media outlets have not reported on Biya’s revelation, likely due to the media regulatory body’s history of sanctioning depictions of homosexuality. The government and President Biya himself have not commented on the story.