Popular gay rights activist, Bisi Alimi has successfully organized the first-ever LGBT pride event in Lagos.
This has left Nigerians to wonder why the Police didn’t visit the event and shut it down or why he wasn’t arrested.
Bisi could be said to have been lucky unlike crossdresser, Bobrisky, whose birthday party was shut down by the Police.
The theme of the event organised by the Bisi Alimi Foundation was “Night of Diversity 2019”.
It was gathered that the funding for the event was through grants received from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Martin Prendergast, Stephen Fry, and Paul Gambaccini. The venue of the event held in Lagos was provided by the British Deputy High Commission.
At the event, nine members of the LGBT community reportedly showed off their talents and capabilities when they took to the stage.
“WE DID IT!!! Last night we organise an LGBT pride event in #Lagos. I am all emotional now as I never thought such would happen in my life time. The celebs cane out. Great crowd and loads of rainbow awesomeness. Thanks to @ejaf and @Mprendergast. See you at Lagos Pride 2020,” he tweeted after the programme.
WE DID IT!!! Last night we organise an LGBT pride event in #Lagos. I am all emotional now as I never thought such would happen in my life time. The celebs cane out. Great crowd and loads of rainbow awesomeness. Thanks to @ejaf and @Mprendergast. See you at Lagos Pride 2020 pic.twitter.com/5jBs4LHxTe
— #RevolutionNow in #Nigeria! (@bisialimi) October 30, 2019
LGBT community set for another event
Alimi has further said the community will host another programme again because Nigeria belongs to all.
It is hoped that they won’t be hosting Police very soon in their next programme.
This is why we had #LagosPride last night and this is why we will do it again and again and again cos #Nigeria belongs to all of us; straight, LGBT, disable, men and women. Simples! https://t.co/burgfS2v3z
— #RevolutionNow in #Nigeria! (@bisialimi) October 30, 2019
About last night. #lagoslgbtpride pic.twitter.com/cBeduX4GZ4
— #RevolutionNow in #Nigeria! (@bisialimi) October 30, 2019
Alimi gained prominence in 2004 when he became the first Nigerian gay man to appear on Nigerian national television as a guest on Funmi Iyanda’s show New Dawn with Funmi.
He had to leave Nigeria in 2007 following threats to his life and was granted asylum in 2009 by the UK, where he has been resident since.
