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# Women facing prison in Cameroon for ‘attempted homosexuality’
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/women-facing-prison-in-cameroon-for-attempted-homosexuality/
- Published: 2021-03-27T09:14:11.000Z
- Updated: 2021-03-26T21:14:40.000Z
- Description: Two trans women in the central African country of Cameroon are facing five years in prison.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Africa, Human Rights Watch, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ equality, Transgender

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cameroon-mldred-600-400.jpg)

Mildred Loic is well known for her large social media following

Two trans women in the central African country of **Cameroon** are facing five years in prison for what authorities have referred to as *“attempted homosexuality”.* According to [*Reuters*](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cameroon-lgbt-trial/transgender-women-facing-homosexuality-charges-in-cameroon-denied-bail-idUSKBN2BG2ZM?rpc=401&&ref=scenemag.co.uk), **Mildred Loic**, a local social media influencer, and **Moute Rolland** were arrested on **February 8** for wearing women’s clothing while eating in a restaurant. They are facing charges of public indecency and have both been denied bail. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Same-sex relations are punishible by imprisonment in Cameroon, but openly identifying as LGBTQ+ is not illegal, with **Alice Nkom**, a lawyer who was representing the women [saying last month](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cameroon-lgbt-rights-trfn-idUSKBN2AQ203?ref=scenemag.co.uk) that they should be acquitted as there is no evidence of any crime: *“It is not illegal to be homosexual or transgender. According to our law, it is the act which is the crime. This is a flagrant violation of their human rights.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ghana-lgbt-africa-pride-1.jpg)

The **Human Rights Watch** found *“dozens”* of LGBTQ+ people have been arrested in Cameroon from 2020-2021, with researcher **Ilaria Allegrozzi** saying: *“We have observed a resurgence in homophobic attacks this year…It is common for people to be abused in detention.”* 20 LGBTQ+ people have been arrested and 3 were murdered in February alone. Loic and Rolland’s case is expected to be heard on **April 5**.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lgbtq-pride-rainbow-flag.jpg)