Alice Nkom: The Bold Advocate Championing LGBT Rights in Cameroon

Alice Nkom, an 80-year-old Cameroonian lawyer, stands firm against governmental repression as she defends the LGBT community amidst threats and legal battles. Her advocacy spans over two decades, driven by a commitment to human rights despite facing personal danger.

In the face of adversity, Alice Nkom, an esteemed lawyer in Cameroon, remains a staunch defender of the rights of the LGBT community. The 80-year-old legal advocate, who leads the human rights NGO Redhac, has faced public vilification and legal challenges, including a government suspension of her organization and allegations of money laundering that she vehemently denies.

"I will always defend homosexuals because they risk their freedom every day," Nkom asserts, highlighting the dire situation homosexual individuals find themselves in, often imprisoned for their sexual orientation according to the country’s penal code. Her commitment stems from her belief that human rights should protect all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. Nkom, who regards her work as a calling to protect the marginalized, has become a parental figure to many LGBT individuals who have been rejected by their families.

Nkom's journey began in 1969 when she became Cameroon’s first black female lawyer. Over the years, her legal work has evolved, culminating in her founding the Association for the Defence of Homosexuality (Adefho) in 2003 after a poignant moment in court revealed the severe treatment faced by those accused of homosexuality. One of her most notable cases involved representing transgender public figure Shakiro, highlighting the dangerous environment for LGBT individuals in Cameroon.

Despite increasing violence and hostility towards the LGBT community, including a recent song that calls for their harm, Nkom aims to challenge and change the oppressive laws. The recent public revelation of Brenda Biya, the daughter of the Cameroonian president, as a lesbian has brought new hope for reform. Nkom is leveraging this high-profile case to advocate for legal change and approach Biya for support for the LGBT cause in Cameroon.

With countless obstacles in her path, Alice Nkom remains undeterred in her quest for justice and equality, committed to a struggle that has defined her career over the last two decades. “You shouldn't jail fundamental rights, you shouldn't repress them – you should protect them,” she insists, embodying the resilience and determination of a true human rights defender.