Romantic phone call leads to anti-gay attack in Cameroon

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

Youth Day marchers parade through the streets of Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Feb. 11. — Youth Day marchers parade through the streets of Douala, Cameroon, on Feb. 11.

A young gay man was attacked on Feb. 11 after two homophobic ruffians overheard his passionate telephone call to his boyfriend.

EXCLUSIVE REPORT
Without your support, anti-gay violence will continue,
but reporting like this will stop.

[paypal-donation]

By Steeves Winner

Twenty-something Kouak (not his real name) had an active social life, although he was often stressed-out and fearful because he had been a victim of anti-gay violence in the past.

It happened to him again on Feb. 11 in Douala, the commercial capital of Cameroon in west-central Africa.

That’s the day when Cameroon celebrates Youth Day with a parade featuring scores of local youths.

After watching the parade, Kouak went for a walk, at which point he received a telephone call from his boyfriend. So he could hear better, Kouak moved out of the crowd and sat down in front of a building.

Soon he was engrossed in conversation and unaware of the people around him. He boldly expressed his affection, calling his lover “my prince” and “my handsome man.”

“I miss you, my stallion,” Kouak said.

At that point two eavesdroppers interrupted him. They challenged him about his sexual orientation and demanded to know his boyfriend’s name.

Kouak did not reply, so they ripped the phone out of this hand and began slapping and punching him.