The passing of Carlos Fernandes, a prominent queer activist and organiser in Angola, has left the LGBTQ+ community in mourning. Carlos was found dead in his home earlier this year, sparking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Carlos was a co-founder of Angola’s first queer organisation, Associação Íris Angola, and played a significant role in advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. Despite recent legal reforms decriminalising same-sex relations and outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation, many queer Angolans still face economic exclusion, stigma, and discrimination.
In an effort to preserve the history of LGBTQ+ people in Angola, Carlos participated in an oral history project on queer activism in the country. The project aimed to compile an archive of queer life in Angola, shedding light on the experiences and desires of those excluded from national history due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The history of LGBTQ+ activism in Angola dates back to the pre-colonial era, challenging the notion that homosexuality was introduced by Europeans. Figures like Queen Nzinga and Francisco “Xica” Manicongo demonstrate a long-standing presence of queer identities in Angolan history.
Today, LGBTQ+ activism in Angola continues to grow, with various collectives focusing on different areas of intervention, from supporting visibility and community building to advocating for specific groups within the LGBTQ+ community. The Angolan Identity Archive, created in 2017, is actively working on preserving queer memory and shaping a desired future for LGBTQ+ individuals in Angola.
As the community mourns the loss of Carlos Fernandes, the need to remember and celebrate the history of LGBTQ+ activism in Angola remains strong. The work of activists and organisations like the Angolan Identity Archive is crucial in creating a more inclusive and accepting society for LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.