This was an LGBT gathering, and everything devoted to celebrating this culture is at risk in Nigeria, where it is illegal to engage in same-sex relationships or publicly show affection.
Any kind of disobedience is involved in celebrating Pride Month here.
With only a few hours remaining before it opened, the Fola Francis Ball organizers—named in memory of a transgender lady who passed away last year—only disclosed the location.
However, this did not stop the over 500 people who showed up in a neighborhood near Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub.
There were warehouses used for rave parties and abandoned auto parts all around the guarded venue.
Past the door came the sound of a pounding bassline, and passing past the barrier was like entering another world.
The venue housed Lagos’s LGBT community, acting as a veil to keep them safe from the outside world.
Many LGBTQ+ Nigerians use the term “queer” to refer to a broad range of identities due to safety concerns.
Laughter and excited chatter filled the room. This was the delight of conquering fear.
