Fola Francis (18 March 1994 – 20 December 2023) was a Nigerian transgender model, LGBTQIA+ activist and entrepreneur.[1][2] In 2022, she became the first trans model to walk the Lagos Fashion Week runway for Cute-Saint and Fruché. Her debut on the runway had ripple effects, with the Lagos Fashion Week's team deciding not to post any of her pictures.[3][4]
Fola Francis | |
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| Born | 18 March 1994 |
| Died | 20 December 2023 (aged 29) |
| Occupations |
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Career and activism
editFrancis started her brand, Fola Francis, in 2018 as a way to deal with trauma from being kitoed.[5] Before then, she worked as a blogger and TV producer in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Francis constantly spoke out about trans and non-binary issues in Nigeria, and her voice was highlighted by the BBC after the cross-dressing bill was introduced in the country, which she called scary and dangerous.[2] She actively participated in the Nigerian ballroom scene as host and queen of the Lagos ballroom scene and sought to replicate the feeling of safety, community, and positive representation balls are known for.[1][6]
In 2023, Francis appeared in her first role as an actress in 14 Years And A Day an LGBTQ+ film by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim and Ayo Lawson.[7] She also documented her journey as a trans woman on TikTok and was popularly known for her day in the life of a trans woman living in Nigeria videos.[8]
Francis spoke on several LGBTQ+ panels, worked as an independent with several NGOs and queer organizations, and started Dolls Activities, a trans-focused initiative.[9]
Death
editOn 20 December 2023, Fola Francis lost her life after drowning on a visit to a beach in Lagos, Nigeria.[10][11]
See also
edit- Area Scatter – first known cross dresser in Nigeria
- Bobrisky – Nigerian transgender woman (born 1991)
- Jay Boogie – Nigerian transgender woman (born 1998)
- Miss Sahhara – Nigerian beauty queen and LGBTQ advocate
- Noni Salma – Nigerian transgender woman
- James Brown (internet personality) – Nigerian cross dresser (born 1999)
References
edit- ^ a b Okolo, Edwin (2023-06-30). "Fola Francis is making a difference in the Lagos Ballroom scene". Marie Claire Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ a b "The Nigerians worried about a bill to outlaw cross-dressing". BBC News. 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ "Fola Francis makes history as the first trans model to walk Lagos Fashion Week | Xtra Magazine". 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ "History was made – Fola Francis becomes the first trans model to walk Lagos Fashion Week". MoreBranches. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ https://livingfreeuk.org/fola-francis-trans-fashion/
- ^ Cole, Timinepre (6 January 2022). "Ballroom Culture in Nigeria Is Being Revived By Queer Youth". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Nwokedi, Kenechukwu (June 20, 2023). "With '14 Years And A Day,' This Filmmaking Duo Wants to Improve LGBTQ Representation in Nollywood". OkayAfrica.
- ^ Job, Chisom (November 29, 2022). "TikTok Helps Queer Nigerians Find Community". Teen Vogue.
- ^ Briggs, Princess (2022). "In Conversation With Fola Francis: What Transgender Awareness Week and Remembrance Day Mean to Her". The 21 Magazine.
- ^ Ayodele, Racheal (2023-12-23). "Popular Nigerian transgender, Fola Francis drowns in Lagos beach". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Nigerian transgender model, Fola Francis drowns in Lagos beach". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-11-20.