Stories from the Marginalised Show Case Their Resilience

Stories from the Marginalised Show Case Their Resilience

 Activism to some is protesting or street marches. But are you aware that story-telling is a form of activism and advocacy?

Imagine when you are given the opportunity to meet a high profile judge to tell your story so that it can be tailored to meet the structured expectations of court cases. Imagine still that your story is around sexuality and identity issues! How would you feel? Scared or shy!

 We put this question before Sulah and the team who met Judge Dr. Alice Nkom.

 There was this opportunity to meet the judge so that they are able to tell their stories. The idea behind was to connect them to a justice system as well as show case evidence of people who are suffering under the heavy yoke of criminality just because of their sexuality and identity.

Such opportunities benefit both the silent and visible. When the stories are used they become evidence which s admissible in courts of law. This is unique and innovative. In networking with high profile allies who are influential or have got high reputation, it helps in changing the narrative from criminalisation to seeing all humans as deserving of dignity and sanctity to life. This was the case when Sulah and team met Dr. Alice Nkom who is a living legend.

According to None on Record’s website, “Dr. Nkom a prominent defense lawyer in Cameroon and a campaigner for the decriminalization of same-sex relationships started activism in 1969 at the age of 24. She became Cameroon’s first female attorney, breaking barriers for many women in the region. She worked to defend a variety of people, including young victims of police violence, but she has devoted her practice to defending people accused of homosexuality in Cameroon. She is the founder of the Association for the Defence of Homosexuality. In 2003, she refused to close her practice. “Someone has to do it”, she says. "This is a fight as noble as fighting for women and all the other fights. It concerns our common humanity."

Sulah and team shared their stories of pain, disinheritance, persecution and decision to seek asylum due to their orientation and identity with Dr. Nkom. She was able in turn to use such stories to influence the international and African governments to enact laws that entrenched respect for all persons. Sexuality and identity other than that which is hetero-conforming should not be grounds for criminalisation.  People who are not hetero-conforming do not cease being a human, nor does it make one a lesser being. Giving these stories was about humanizing and showing how one was hurt, deprived, disinherited and disowned. This can lead to further vulnerability as well as conflicts with law of any given country in case people are pushed to homelessness. In addressing and regarding LGBTIQQ as human-beings provides opportunities for them to engage in quality life promoting practices. It builds self-esteem and self-worth for them.

 @noneonrecord #AfricanAllies  #Cameroon  #africanally , @alicenkom

Meeting With Judge Dr. Nkom

Story-telling is a form of advocacy

We are all smiles

Oh, come on!

My name is Sulah!