Rotimi Fani-Kayode: Erotic photography from the ultimate outsider

During his life, gay Nigerian photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode struggled to find acceptance. Writing for now-defunct British photography magazine Ten.8, he once described himself as an outsider “on three counts.”

“In terms of geographical and cultural dislocation; and in the sense of not having become the sort of respectably married professional my parents might have hoped for.”

Gaining prominence in the United Kingdom and United States in the 1980s, Fani-Kayode tapped into the turbulence of the gay community – which at the time was facing both the rise of HIV/AIDS and ostracism. His often sensual photographs not only addressed issues of sexuality and race, but of nationality. The son of a Yoruba chief, Fani-Kayode introduced elements of his culture into his art. Writing about his work, Fani-Kayode once said:

“I see parallels now between my own work and that of the Osogbo artists in Yorubaland who themselves resisted the cultural subversions of neo-colonialism and who celebrate the rich, secret world of our ancestors.”

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"Why should we want to kill homosexuals for doing something in private that affects no one else? Our job is to love them, to bring them close and show them God's love."
Reverend Fred Komunda, St. Peter's Church, Church of Uganda

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"Homosexuality is abnormal, and we have to do anything we can to stop it. These people need to repent, need to feel guilty, need to feel that they have sinned."
Imam Sheikh Ahmed Lubega, Kololo Jamia Mosque

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"Homosexuality is something that can be corrected. No one is born gay, circumstances force people into it. I don't believe that God would create something so disoriented."
Reverend Father Christopher William Kiwanuka, St. Peter's Parish Church

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"Sometimes, people make poor choices. We have a church disciplinary council that will form to address those who have violated our standards of morality, and we withdraw privileges while they begin the process of repentance. For those who are rebellious and refuse to repent, they may be excommunicated and removed from the church."
Jimmy Carter, Kampala Uganda Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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"Religious leaders are here to shape the world. Everyone listens to them, everyone looks up to them. And we need to listen to all of our people, not just the ones we think are most righteous."
Rachman Nagwere, Kampala Jewish Synagogue

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"You can be gay and you can be a Christian. It is your choice to come to the church and talk about salvation."
Reverend Ruth Galimaka, St. John's Kamwokya, Church of Uganda

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"When we come to the temple, we are just thinking about religion and nothing else. We are expats here, and because we're here we will always respect this country's laws. But the more you discuss this law, the more it is going to become a big issue."
Derang Shah, Jain Samaj Uganda

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"The bible says homosexuals are sinners, just like thieves and prostitutes. But as Christians we have to love them and help them. Discriminating against them will not change anything."

"I have over 100 homosexual and lesbian friends on Facebook. I use it to talk with them and point them to Jesus. We have to welcome these people into our community."
Brother Martin Walugembe, Grace Church Ntinda

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"People need to be really taught about homosexuality first before they make up their minds about the law. I haven't heard enough about them, so I don't want to give my opinion because I don't know the facts well enough yet."
Pastor Emmanuel Wambala, Holy Temple Church

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"The government can't justify what is right and wrong. My law is the bible."

"I found out that a high school friend is gay. If he was willing to have an honest conversation with me, I would want to understand how he got there. If he says he was born that way, it would help me understand."
Pastor Dennis Kilama, Lugogo Baptist Church

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"If they must be homosexuals, let them do it as privately as possible. It's a shameful thing -- let them be ashamed, let them find Jesus."

"I take a Christian stand, but the idea of spending all my time as a specialist in fighting the gay movement -- no, that is not my calling."
Pastor Stephen Patrick Achillah, Deliverance Church

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"If the West would stop putting so much pressure on Uganda and let us evolve for ourselves, I think our outlook could change."
Murungi Mukuru, St. John's Kamwokya, Church of Uganda

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"We pray for love, we pray to be a better part of our community, but above all else we emphasize tolerance and unity. All of the different religions are just chapters in one big book. We cannot chase you away for having different beliefs."
Moses Kasule, Mother Temple of Africa

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"Spiritually, it is against God's will. God created a man and a woman for reproduction. That is how we sustain humanity. If homosexuality continues, the human race will be wiped out."
Ibrahim Kagolola, St. Paul's Church Kiwuliriza

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"Today you say you hate gay people, tomorrow God will give you a gay son. And what will you do then? Hate him? You have to work with people who have different beliefs."
Hassan Kimbugwe, Kabalagala Islamic Center Kassam Mosque

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"I've never talked to a gay person, but I would like to be friends with one to learn more and help him understand that his actions are disobeying God."
Eddie Damba, Christ Centered Church

Now, more than 25 years after his death (he died in 1989 from a heart attack), Fani-Kayode is reaching a new audience, both in the west and in Africa.

Ahead of his time

Photography collective Autograph ABP – which Fani-Kayode co-founded – will be touring the artist’s work in a series of exhibits in cities around the world. Currently, he’s being shown at the Palitz Gallery at Syracuse University’s Lubin House, New York.

Compatriot and gay rights activist Bisi Alimi is in no doubt as to what Fani-Kayode left behind.

“It’s important to emphasize that Rotimi’s works were years ahead of their time,” he argues. “(When) Rotimi was using photography to highlight sexuality in Nigeria, there were hardly any strong, progressive debates globally.

“His work epitomized not just the reality of being gay, but of being a black gay man. It challenged the whole concept of black male masculinity and the importance of body empowerment. Rotimi’s work broke down all the barriers.”

Fani-Kayode left Nigeria when his family fled to the United Kingdom as refugees of the country’s civil war in the mid 1960’s. But his work is now beginning to gain recognition in the land of his birth.

“I am sure an average Nigerian can tell you they have heard of Picasso or Michelangelo, but not (Fani-Kayode),” notes Aliimi, though that is slowly starting to change.

In 2014, the photographer received his first major museum retrospective on the continent, at the Iziko Museum in South Africa, the same year the nation’s then-president, Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which threatens a 10-year prison sentence on anyone who even witnesses a gay marriage.

In light of the legislation, Fani-Kayode’s work is even more pertinent.

“The likes of (Fani-Kayode) gave us the beauty of self-awareness and self-joy,” says Aliimi, who adds that if anything, more galleries should showcase his work.

“Let’s open up the space and let these people exhibit in major venues. Let’s tell the black queer story Rotimi Fani-Kayode was telling three decades ago.”