Pride in Lagos
| Pride in Lagos | |
|---|---|
Pride in Lagos Ball (27 June 2025) | |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location | Lagos |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Inaugurated | June 2021 |
| Next event | June 2026 |
| Organized by | Queer City Media |
Pride in Lagos is an annual LGBTQ pride festival held during the last week of June in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] Founded in 2021 by QueerCity Media under the leadership of Olaide Kayode Timileyin,[2] it serves as a platform for visibility, community building, advocacy, and celebration in a highly restrictive legal and social context.[3]
The event has drawn hundreds of queer people each year and has been held consecutively since 2021. The 2022 festival marked Nigeria's first publicly recognised, week-long Pride celebration.[4]
Context
In Nigeria, same-sex relationships, public displays of affection between same-sex persons, and LGBTQ+ organisations are criminalised under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014, which carries penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment.[5] Despite pervasive stigma, an underground queer culture has persisted in Lagos, including inclusive spaces within fashion, digital communities, and ballroom scenes.[6]
History
Pride in Lagos debuted in June 2021 as a series of discreet events like panels, film screenings, and workshops to foster solidarity and community, marking one of the few structured pride events in Nigeria to date.[7]
From 20–26 June 2022, the festival hosted art exhibitions, panel discussions, a runway show, and a concluding drag and ballroom ball. Organisers described it as "the first of its kind" in terms of reach and impact.[8] It featured prominent queer figures like Aja Kween and Bisi Alimi, along with performer Temmie Ovwasa.[9][10]
By mid-2023, the event had gained increased visibility, with larger public participation, greater representation of queer creatives, and acknowledgment of the underground ballroom community.[11]
In June 2024, the festival included a high-profile ballroom “neo‑goth” ball in memory of the late Fola Francis,[11] Nigeria’s first openly transgender runway model, who died in December 2023.[12][13] That year also introduced the Equality Summit & Awards, featuring panels on community safety, economic empowerment, and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.
The 2025 edition continued the annual tradition with a ballroom ball held on 27 June 2025. It also hosted the Equality Summit with Bisi Alimi as the keynote speaker.[14]
Programming
Typical events during Pride in Lagos include:
- Symposia and panel discussions on queer rights, community safety, mental health, and empowerment.[15]
- Art exhibitions, film screenings, and creative workshops showcasing Nigerian queer talent.
- Ballroom and drag events such as “The Grand Masquerade Ball”, with Afro‑surrealist themes and vogue-style performances.[16][17]
- Awards ceremonies and networking sessions to elevate organisations and allies working for LGBTQ+ inclusion.[18][19]
Safety and security
Given Nigeria’s legal constraints, the festival is often held in private or semi-private venues, announced shortly in advance. Organisers implement security measures such as background checks and no-photography policies for attendee protection.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Dazed (2022-07-04). "What it was like to attend Nigeria's Pride In Lagos event". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Wong, Hollie (2023-07-11). "Pride in Lagos: Photos from Nigeria's 2023 LGBTQ+ celebration". GAY TIMES. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ Admin, M. C. N. (2023-06-26). "Adunni Tiwatope wants to build a community for queer people with Pride In Lagos". Marie Claire Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "Nigeria's repressed LGBTQ party people let 'true self' out at Lagos ball". France 24. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ^ www.justice.gov https://web.archive.org/web/20220404102814/https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1250681/download. Archived from the original on 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Salako, Pelumi (23 June 2022). "Pride month in Nigeria remains behind closed doors due safety and legal concerns". Businesslive.
- ^ Abiamuwe, Stephanie. "The History of Pride: From Stonewall to Nigeria". Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Wong, Hollie (2022-07-27). "Pride In Lagos: Stunning photos from Nigeria's 'first of its kind' Pride". GAY TIMES. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "For queer Nigerians, Pride celebrations mark hope and resilience". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b "Ballroom Celebrations Are a Bastion of Joy for LGBTQ Nigerians". TheBody. 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b Opanuga, Jimisayo (2024-06-11). "Nigeria's LGBTQ embraces 'true selves' at Lagos ball". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Kachi, Elvis (2024-04-17). "How This Legendary Fashion Designer Mothered a Generation of Trans Nigerians". Them. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Sachdeva, Sahil (2024-06-20). "Private Runways: Nigerian Fashion Labels Navigate Anti-LGBTQ Challenges - Level Up Magazine". Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "What does it mean to organise a Pride in a country where you could face jail terms? B O L D N E S S What does it mean to organise Pride in a country with zero financial and/or corporate support? C O… | Bisi Alimi". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ^ "Chioma about Pride in Nigeria". Hivos. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ "What it was like to attend Nigeria's first-ever Pride event". Alturi. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Sachdeva, Sahil (2024-06-20). "Private Runways: Nigerian Fashion Labels Navigate Anti-LGBTQ Challenges - Level Up Magazine". Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Aborowa, Ayomide "Mimi" (2024-12-09). "In Lagos, Creative Identity Thrives in Community". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Lagos, Nelson C. J. / (2021-02-26). "Queer Nigerians Find Both Community, Bigotry on Clubhouse". TIME. Retrieved 2025-07-03.