By Reeturaj - Jan 17, 2025
Alice Nkom, a pioneering lawyer from Cameroon, has dedicated her career to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights despite facing adversity. She stands as a surrogate parent to many in the community and believes in the fundamental right to be free from discrimination. Nkom's work includes high-profile cases and challenges to Cameroon's penal code. Despite threats and obstacles, she remains resolute in her mission to effect change.
Minette Lontsie via Wikimedia Commons
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Alice Nkom, a veteran lawyer from Cameroon, has devoted her life to advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in her country, despite facing vilification, threats, and humiliation. Her tireless efforts have earned her a reputation as a surrogate parent to many in the LGBTQ+ community who have been abandoned by their families. Nkom believes that freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is a fundamental right that should take precedence over Cameroon's penal code.
Nkom's journey as a pioneering lawyer began in 1969 when she became Cameroon's first Black female lawyer at just 24 years old. Since then, she has represented the less fortunate and disadvantaged. A chance encounter in 2003 shifted her focus toward the fight to decriminalize homosexuality. She founded the Association for the Defense of Homosexuality (Adefho) and has participated in numerous cases, including the high-profile defense of transgender celebrity Shakiro and her friend Patricia in 2021.
The situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Cameroon remains dire, with many facing ostracism, arrest, and even violence. Nkom's work has not gone unnoticed, and she has encountered numerous challenges, including physical threats and accusations of money laundering and funding terrorist organizations. Nevertheless, she remains undeterred, viewing each obstacle as an opportunity to further her mission. Her latest strategy involves leveraging the case of Brenda Biya, the daughter of President Paul Biya, who came out as a lesbian last year, as a precedent to challenge the president and advocate for change.
As Nkom continues her fight, she remains a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon. Her courage and determination exemplify the power of an individual to effect change. Despite the challenges she faces, Nkom is committed to her cause, stating, "I will always defend homosexuals because they risk their freedom every day, and they are thrown into prison like dogs." Her unwavering dedication to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights serves as an inspiration to us all.
