Fola Francis Explained

Fola Francis
Birth Date:1994 3, df=y
Birth Place:Nigeria

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]

Career and activism

Francis 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.[6]

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. 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9]

Francis spoke on several LGBTQ+ panels, worked as an independent with several NGOs and queer organizations, and started Dolls Activities, a trans-focused initiative.[10]

Death

On 20 December 2023, Fola Francis lost her life after drowning on a visit to a beach in Lagos, Nigeria.[11] [12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Okolo . Edwin . 2023-06-30 . Fola Francis is making a difference in the Lagos Ballroom scene . 2023-09-05 . Marie Claire Nigeria . en-GB.
  2. News: 2022-08-03 . The Nigerians worried about a bill to outlaw cross-dressing . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-09-05.
  3. Web site: 2022-11-14 . Fola Francis makes history as the first trans model to walk Lagos Fashion Week Xtra Magazine . 2023-09-05 . en-CA.
  4. Web site: 2022-11-22 . History was made – Fola Francis becomes the first trans model to walk Lagos Fashion Week . 2023-09-05 . MoreBranches . en-US.
  5. https://livingfreeuk.org/fola-francis-trans-fashion/
  6. Web site: Cole . Timinepre . 2024-02-14 . Remembering The Fola Francis . 2024-11-29 . The Rustin Times . en-US.
  7. Web site: Ballroom Culture in Nigeria Is Being Revived By Queer Youth. Timinepre. Cole. 6 January 2022. Teen Vogue. 27 December 2023.
  8. Web site: Nwokedi . Kenechukwu . June 20, 2023 . With '14 Years And A Day,' This Filmmaking Duo Wants to Improve LGBTQ Representation in Nollywood . OkayAfrica.
  9. Web site: Job . Chisom . November 29, 2022 . TikTok Helps Queer Nigerians Find Community . Teen Vogue.
  10. Web site: Briggs . Princess . 2022 . In Conversation With Fola Francis: What Transgender Awareness Week and Remembrance Day Mean to Her . The 21 Magazine.
  11. Web site: Ayodele . Racheal . 2023-12-23 . Popular Nigerian transgender, Fola Francis drowns in Lagos beach . 2024-11-20 . Daily Post Nigeria . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2023-12-22 . Nigerian transgender model, Fola Francis drowns in Lagos beach . 2024-11-20 . Linda Ikeji's Blog . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fola Francis".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.