By Colin Stewart and Erin Royal Brokovitch Sexual minorities from French-speaking Africa at a networking workshop in Cameroon denounced several lesbian associations’ call for a boycott of the Feb. 21-24 workshop, which was aimed at bolstering the activism of lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The four organizations of lesbian, bisexual and queer women that boycotted … Continue reading
By Colin Stewart and Erin Royal Brokovitch Four organizations of lesbian, bisexual and queer women last week boycotted a workshop in Cameroon organized by two LGBT associations — one based in France and the other in Cameroon. Their objections, which were rejected by workshop participants, were “the imperialist, paternalistic and patriarchal nature of this project” … Continue reading
Carine, a 26-year-old Cameroonian lesbian, was released in September 2016 after four years in jail because of her sexual orientation. Now she wants to resume a productive and happy life. Continue reading
In Cameroon, LGBT associations are working together as never before, signing up to create a Human Rights Observatory that will act as a watchdog against violations of the rights of LGBT people and human rights defenders. Continue reading
By Erin Royal Brokovitch Last weekend’s police raid at the Mistral bar in Yaoundé, Cameroon, ended with the release of everyone who had been arrested. Police said it was not an anti-gay operation, although the violence of the late-night Oct. 9 raid had seemed to suggest that it was, especially because Cameroon is a country … Continue reading
By Jean Marc Yao Two burglaries and a threatening note that the burglars left behind, stating, “Dirty little fag, be wise … .” Those happened in the space of one month to Jules Eloundou, an LGBT activist in Cameroon. The events were made public in a press release from Humanity First Cameroon, the Yaoundé-based advocacy … Continue reading
LGBT rights activists have worked hard this month seeking public recognition of the human rights of LGBT citizens of Cameroon. During the month, in programs organized by Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for Aids), activists have been: Marching against violence A peaceful march on July 13 challenged and educated policymakers and society in general about the … Continue reading
By Erin Royal Brokovitch Hervé, a 25-year-old Cameroonian man facing homosexuality charges, was set free on bail on April 13 after nine days in police custody. His release was accomplished through the diligent work of LGBTI rights activists at Humanity First Cameroon and, in particular, the lawyers Michel Togue and Jatan Ndongo. But both Hervé … Continue reading
The repeal of Cameroon’s anti-LGBT law is long overdue, says a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association. In fact, says barrister Walter Atoh, “It is absolutely sickening and ridiculous that in the 21st century a homosexual act gets a person in Cameroon six months to five years imprisonment.” Atoh, known … Continue reading
A year-end report about homophobia in Cameroon contains a heart-wrenching story about a family torn apart by fear of homosexuality. The story comes from a report compiled by Humanity First, a Yaoundé-based organization seeking improved health care for LGBTI Cameroonians and recognition of their human rights. The organization explained that, once a young man or … Continue reading
