Nigeria’s LGBTQ embraces ‘true selves’ at Lagos ball
2 years agoJudges hold up their scores as a participant walks on stage during the Fola Francis queer ball in Lagos on June 9, 2024. - The queer ball was held to pay a tribute to late LGBTQ+ activist Fola Francis who passed accidentaly in December 2023. The event was housed in a hangar in a peripheral district of the city of 20 million inhabitants, marks the start of "pride month" celebrating each year in June the defence of the rights of LGBTQ+ people around the world. On stage, the participants perform a series of poses and figures, wearing costumes borrowing from the "neo-goth" style - the theme of the ball - mixed with the traditional festive trappings of the queer community - wigs, sequins and exuberant makeup. (Photo by Leslie FAUVEL / AFP)
Performers strutted their stuff onstage at an LGBTQ community dance party in Nigeria's Lagos, publicly celebrating their identities in a country where being gay could land you in jail. …
