Here’s how a lesbian couple regained their dignity in Cameroon

Cameroon: Help came from generous readers and the Grand Camp Maisie Fund

Wanda hides her face to maintain her anonymity -- but also to display her hairdressing talents. (Photo courtesy of Steeves Winner) — Wanda hides her face to maintain her anonymity — but also to display her hairdressing talents. (Photo courtesy of Steeves Winner)

By Steeves Winner

In a country where homosexuality is still criminalized, Cameroonian lesbians Fleur and Wanda embody the courage and resilience that’s needed to survive and thrive in a homophobic society.

(The names Fleur and Wanda are pseudonyms that are used here for their safety.)

Arrested and convicted in September 2024 for their sexual orientation, they were sentenced to six months in Bertoua Prison. Because they had no money to pay their fines, they faced the prospect of continue imprisonment until September 2025.

But this news site’s Project Not Alone raised enough money (US $1,059) from generous readers to pay their fines. That allowed them to be released on May 26.

That still left them with the problem of where to live and how to make money. In contrast with many imprisoned victims of African homophobia, Fleur and Wanda each had a career before the routine of their lives was interrupted by their arrest and imprisonment. Fleur, 32, is a registered nurse. Wanda, 33, is an experienced hairdresser.

Logo of the Grand Camp Maisie Fund

Help came via a grant from the Grand Camp Maisie Fund, a UK-based charity funded from the estate of the late British LGBTQ rights activist Andrew Lumsden, who was instrumental in organizing London’s first Pride March in 1972.

The grant was awarded to Erasing 76 Crimes and its sponsor, the St. Paul’s Foundation, to ease the destruction caused by homophobia in Cameroon and Nigeria. Money from the grant has been used to locate imprisoned LGBTQ victims of homophobia, organize training meetings about LGBTQ rights, and help freed LGBTQ prisoners get back on their feet financially.

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Hairdressing station in Wanda's small hair salon. (Photo courtesy of Steeves Winner) — Hairdressing station in Wanda’s small hair salon. (Photo courtesy of Steeves Winner)

In the case of Fleur and Wanda, the grant provided funds to allow Wanda to open a small hair salon in a working-class neighborhood. It also allowed Fleur to set up her own home care business and mini-clinic, particularly for marginalized people and those living with HIV.

Fleur, her eyes shining. said about the assistance, “I have no words. This project has given us back our dignity. I thought my life was over, but today I can dream again.”

“I thank everyone who believed in us,” Wanda said. “You don’t know us, but you changed our lives. I hold you in my heart.”

Fleur added, “I want to treat, help, and show that even after prison, you can serve life. I want my salon to be a place of beauty, but also of freedom. A place where we can breathe without fear.”