Cameroon is one of more than 130 nations worldwide where May 17 is celebrated as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB or IDAHOBIT). But this year, Cameroon police raided a gathering of 50 LGBTI citizens who were celebrating IDAHOTB day by learning about how to protect their health.

The evening’s celebration at the Oasis Hotel in Bafoussam was organized by the anti-AIDS and LGBTI rights association Colibri, which is working to improve health care in western Cameroon with financial support from the Global Fund. Colibri has been organizing information sessions about HIV and Covid-19 for the region’s transgender people in connection with IDAHOB.

During the evening, a police squad raided the hotel and arrested everyone at the Colibri gathering and took them to the police station. Among those arrested were gay men, trans women and lesbians. Some were minors.

They were accused of procuring, promotion of homosexuality and violations of public health regulations. Cameroon currently prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people in order to limit the spread of Covid-19. Some of those arrested were forced to undergo anal exams — a discredited and degrading procedure that’s mistakenly believed to establish whether a person is a homosexual. Read more via Rights Africa/76 Crimes