Alice Nkom, a veteran Cameroonian lawyer, has faced threats, humiliation, and public vilification in her decades-long fight to defend the rights of homosexual individuals in Cameroon. Despite these challenges, she remains unwavering in her commitment to upholding the rights of the LGBT community in her country.
Legal Advocacy for the LGBT Community
Nkom, 80, has been an outspoken advocate for homosexual rights in Cameroon for over 20 years. As the founder of the Association for the Defense of Homosexuality (Adefho), she has represented numerous individuals accused of homosexuality, which is criminalized in Cameroon. Under the country’s penal code, both men and women found guilty of homosexual acts can face up to five years in prison and a fine.
“I will always defend homosexuals because they risk their freedom every day, and they are thrown into prison like dogs,” Nkom says with conviction. Her work has earned her the reputation of a protector and surrogate parent for many within the LGBT community who have been abandoned by their families due to their sexuality.
Personal Threats and Legal Struggles
Nkom’s advocacy has not come without personal costs. She has been physically threatened and harassed on numerous occasions, and early in her legal career, she had to hire bodyguards for protection. Despite these challenges, her resolve remains unshaken.
“I don’t see why I would say I’m defending everyone except homosexuals,” she says. This commitment to universal human rights has led her to publicly challenge the penal code, arguing that freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation should be seen as a fundamental human right that cannot be repressed by laws such as the country’s penal code.
Founding Adefho and Defending LGBT Rights
Nkom’s journey into LGBT advocacy began in 2003 when she encountered a group of young people in court who were being prosecuted for homosexuality. This incident prompted her to found Adefho and take on the fight to decriminalize homosexuality in Cameroon.
Since then, she has represented numerous clients, including defending transgender celebrity Shakiro and her friend Patricia in 2021, who were arrested and charged with “attempted homosexuality” after eating in a restaurant. They were sentenced to five years in prison for violating the penal code.
“It’s a hammer blow. It’s the maximum term outlined in the law. The message is clear: homosexuals don’t have a place in Cameroon,” Nkom said after the sentencing.
Growing Hostility Toward the LGBT Community
Despite Nkom’s tireless efforts, the situation for the LGBT community in Cameroon has worsened in recent years. In 2023, a song that encouraged people to target and kill homosexuals was released and gained widespread popularity, particularly in urban areas.
“People attack us because of this song, which glorifies crime,” says LGBT activist Sébastien, who runs a charity supporting families with homosexual children. LGBT individuals in Cameroon are often forced to hide their sexual identities, and some face physical attacks or police reporting due to their sexual orientation.
Hope for Change: Brenda Biya’s Public Revelation
In 2023, Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, publicly came out as a lesbian. Nkom saw this as an opportunity for change, viewing it as a potential precedent to challenge the country’s laws against homosexuality.
“I’m using the Brenda case as a precedent. Now I have a case on which I can challenge the president,” Nkom said. However, she has yet to receive a response from Brenda Biya, though she remains hopeful that the president’s daughter will use her position to advocate for the LGBT community.
Unyielding Determination
Despite facing increasing resistance and legal challenges, Alice Nkom remains committed to her cause. Even with the government’s recent efforts to hinder her work, including the suspension of her human rights NGO, Redhac, and accusations of money laundering and terror funding—which she denies—Nkom is undeterred.
“My job is to defend people,” she says. “I will continue my legal work. This is just another obstacle in the fight I’ve been waging since 2003.”
Nkom’s unwavering dedication continues to inspire those she defends, with many in the LGBT community viewing her as a beacon of hope in their ongoing struggle for equality and justice in Cameroon.
