Brenda Biya hopes her revelation will contribute to the decriminalization of homosexuality in her country
Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, has publicly announced her homosexuality on Instagram, defying the laws of her country, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to five years in prison. In an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, Brenda expressed her hope that her action will help change the laws that criminalize homosexuality.
In Cameroon, approximately twenty people are currently being held in prison for having had same-sex relationships. Homosexuality is also illegal in 26 other countries on the African continent. Brenda hopes her story can help change these laws.
Following the post, Brenda received many messages of support from individuals and human rights organizations, although she also faced violent backlash. Her parents forced her to remove the photo from social media and, since then, family relations have been severed. Despite this, Brenda expressed a sense of relief at having come forward and believes that one day she will be able to have an honest conversation with her parents about the matter.
Brenda Biya, who resides in Geneva, Switzerland, remains steadfast in her belief that her gesture can inspire meaningful change in Cameroonian society and other African nations.
By Ezatamentchy
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.