- Over 500 attendees gathered in Lagos for the secret Fola Francis Ball.
- The event honored the late transgender woman Fola Francis.
- It provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ Nigerians to express their identities.
The Fola Francis Ball, held in Lagos, Nigeria, offered a vital sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identities in a country where same-sex relationships and public displays of affection are illegal.
Honoring the late transgender woman Fola Francis, who was pivotal in Nigeria’s underground ballroom scene, the ball featured competitions in various categories, including butch queen realness, femme queen realness, and voguing.
Celebrating Queer Identity in Lagos: The Fola Francis Ball
In Lagos, Nigeria, the Fola Francis Ball provided a rare and secure space for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identities. Named after Fola Francis, a transgender woman who significantly contributed to the local ballroom scene before her untimely death, the event highlighted the resilience and unity of queer Nigerians. The ball’s secret location and security measures ensured a safe environment for over 500 attendees.
Organized by Ayo Lawson and Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, the ball featured various categories such as butch queen realness and voguing, echoing the traditions of American ballroom culture. Attendees expressed their identities freely, dressed in neo-gothic attire, and competed in diverse categories, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the queer community.
The ball served as both a tribute to Fola Francis and a celebration of queer identity, providing a platform for individuals to express themselves without fear. Despite the restrictive laws in Nigeria, events like these offer a vital outlet for the LGBTQ+ community to find support and joy in their shared experiences.
Lawson and Ikpe-Etim were inspired to create this event after experiencing a similar one, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and resistance among queer Nigerians. The Fola Francis Ball is a testament to the enduring spirit of the LGBTQ+ community, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, spaces for joy and self-expression can be created and cherished.
The Fola Francis Ball underscores the importance of safe, inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria, offering a beacon of hope and resistance in a challenging environment.
“Queer joy is one of the biggest forms of resistance,” said Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, one of the event’s organizers, emphasizing the transformative power of celebrating queer identities.
