Alice Nkom (1945 – Present)
Who is Alice Nkom?
- LGBT activist, lawyer in Cameroon
- Has worked hard to stand up for LGBTs despite obstacles from the government and society
- To see a bio of her, click here.
When and where has she been?
- 1945: Born to Martin Nkom Bayi and Alice Ngo Bikang in Poutkak, Cameroon
- 1963-4, 1968: Attended University of Toulouse , then Federal University of Cameroon, has resided in Cameroon since
- 2003: Delegate of Cameroon in World Affairs Council’s International Visitor Program (WACIVP) in Portland, Oregon
- 2011: Returned to WACIVP as alumni. For her speech there as an alumnus, click here.
Poutkak, Cameroon
What was Cameroon like in her time?
In 1945, Cameroon was a British colony (British Cameroon), ruled from Nigeria. After WWII, Cameroon finally achieved its independence. To see a timeline of Cameroon’s history, click here.
What has she accomplished?
- 1969: Became Cameroon’s 1st female lawyer
- LGBT activist since 2003 despite major oppression/danger in Cameroon
- 2003: Set up Association for the Defence of Homosexuals (ADEFHO)
- Has defended 100 LGBT clients as of 2011
- Won the support of LGBT and human rights groups around the world
What oppression has she faced?
- Strict laws in Cameroon against LGBT people has lead many suspected gays to be arrested/jailed
- Large conservative Christian (Catholic) population of Cameroon (2/3 of pop.) also condemns homosexuality
- Oppression has grown; Nkom receives more threats than before
Nkom speaking at World Affairs Council’s International Visitor Program in 2011
How has she resisted?
- 2003: Saw the great oppression against LGBTs in Cameroon, when she had to turn away LGBT friends from the country; became LGBT activist
- Set up ADEFHO in same year
- As lawyer, defended numerous people accused of being LGBT, attacking the government’s inhumane laws/ideas
What has her resistance help achieve?
- Provided chance to many LGBTs in Cameroon to become free when brought in court
- Brought attention to Cameroon’s issues of LGBT inequality/oppression by winning support of LGBT/human rights advocates
Check out what these other sources have had to say about her recently, here and here.