LGBT+ Movements in Angola: A Current Overview

In the past decade, Angola has witnessed the rise of new activist groups focused on gender and sexuality. But what brings these gender and LGBT+ associations closer together, and what sets them apart? How do they align – or diverge – from other social movements in Angola? These were the key questions explored in the talk “LGBT+ Activism in Angola: Some Fieldwork Notes,” given by Luena Nascimento Nunes Pereira, an associate professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro.

In her presentation, Luena Pereira highlights two major factors shaping the emergence and growth of these social movements in Angola: (1) the global influence of the Arab Spring and (2) the prolonged rule of the MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola) political party, which has been in power since the end of the civil war in 2002. Her research also uncovers significant shifts in civil organization and political protest that have taken place in Angola since that time. Pereira has been researching Angola since 1995, focusing on religious and ethnic identities as well as the experiences of Angolan refugees in Brazil. The key points that Luena Pereira made in her presentation are outlined in the sections below.

This article delves further into the key themes discussed at the International Webinar Conference, “Angola: Southern Africa and the Future of the Global South,” hosted by the Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies on December 11, 2023. The event is part of the Ford Foundation-funded project on China-Angola relations. To access the prior discussion on how Chinese investments have shaped Angola’s socioeconomic transformation since the end of the civil war, please CLICK HERE.

Luena Pereira (Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro)

The Emergence of Social and Political Activism in Angola

Luena Pereira’s presentation, based on fieldwork conducted in Luanda between August and October 2023, sheds light on the recent emergence of activist movements focused on gender and sexuality in Angola. Her research provides critical insights into the development of these movements and their connections to both regional and international contexts, particularly within the Portuguese-speaking world.

Pereira situates the rise of gender and LGBT activism within the broader Angolan political context, a country that endured nearly 30 years of civil war before achieving peace in 2002. The political landscape of Angola has been predominantly shaped by the MPLA for decades, with José Eduardo dos Santos serving as president from 1979 to 2017. Despite the introduction of a multiparty system in 1991, the country has continued to face political disillusionment, coupled with an economic crisis that has worsened since 2014. These factors, Pereira argues, have fueled new forms of political activism, including movements that engage with issues of race, gender, and sexuality.

Luena Pereira highlights another significant factor driving this activism: the influence of the Arab Spring, which inspired youth-led movements across Africa. Her fieldwork reveals that Angolan activists frequently reference the Arab Spring as a catalyst for change, noting the widespread use of social media for organizing and the horizontal structure of many associations. The first protests inspired by the Arab Spring in Angola took place in 2011. However, it was the 2016 arrest of seventeen young activists, including rapper Luaty Beirão (also known as Ikonoklasta), that gained international attention. These activists were accused of conspiring against the state, despite their peaceful demonstrations; the protests surrounding their imprisonment, including hunger strikes, became a defining moment for Angola’s burgeoning activist movements.

LGBT+ Organizations in Angola

As part of a growing youth movement dissatisfied with the political landscape and the lack of meaningful social and political change in Angola, new organizations have emerged. One notable example is Íris, the first civil LGBT+ rights organization legally registered by the Angolan government, founded in 2013. Íris focuses on activities that promote empowerment, LGBT+ visibility, and advocacy. It also secures funding for education and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Located in Luanda's Terra Nova neighborhood, this association has partnered with health organizations throughout Angola and established provincial representatives to broaden its reach and visibility beyond the capital.

Another important organization highlighted by Luena Pereira is the AIA – Arquivo de Identidade Angolana. Founded in 2017 by feminist activists who were previously involved with Íris, AIA focuses on LGBT+ activism from a feminist perspective. The organization supports cis and trans women who have been displaced from their homes and works to document and register the LGBT+ community in Angola. The organization promotes greater visibility for women, who have historically been underrepresented in activism, and aims to create a lasting memory of their existence.

In her analysis, Luena Pereira compares different aspects of Angolan LGBT movements to other African countries, where such movements are often spearheaded by middle-class intellectuals. In Angola, the movement is primarily driven by working-class and lower-class youth. Pereira explains, “It seems that coming out is less challenging for youth from poorer backgrounds, who have less to lose in terms of family status and social prestige, compared to their wealthier counterparts.” However, this class divide presents challenges for the movement, particularly in securing resources and establishing networks for safer public advocacy. Additionally, the lower level of formal education among activists limits their ability to engage with international funding processes, which are often more accessible to those with higher education and international connections.

LGBT+ Associations and Angola’s State Relations

Luena Pereira explains that the relationship between LGBT+ associations and the Angolan state is complex and varies among organizations. “The director of AIA, an organization with a strong social media presence and focused on translating and publishing texts about lesbian and queer visibility, has made it clear that they do not seek state recognition. This contrasts with Íris, which has actively pursued and obtained it,” she shares. This distinction highlights a key issue in her research: obtaining state recognition involves navigating bureaucratic processes and adhering to specific regulations, which can create tensions for some organizations. 

 A central theme in Pereira’s conversations with activists was the dilemma of whether to formalize their associations. While formalizing an organization can improve relations with the state and increase access to international funding, it may also limit autonomy. For this reason, some activists believe that by remaining informal, they can maintain their independence, pursue their own agendas, and sustain more horizontal structures in their political activism.

This issue also arises for Ondjango Feminista, a women's collective that openly identifies as feminist – something previously uncommon in Angola. This aberration does not reflect a lack of women's mobilization in public spaces, as seen in the Angolan Women's Organization (OMA), the female branch of the ruling party, but a direct challenge to the patriarchal foundations of Angolan society. Composed mainly of educated, intellectual, middle-class women, Ondjango Feminista operates through social media and holds regular meetings in Luanda. It has led public campaigns to demand policies addressing issues like domestic violence, gaining some influence in key areas of women's rights.

Another issue that arose during Pereira’s fieldwork is the frequent disconnect between political activism and gender or LGBT+ activism. Many activists expressed frustration with male dominance within political activist circles and the exclusion or marginalization of issues around gender and sexuality. Pereira points out that this latent homophobia within broader political activism is something that deserves further exploration. She also notes that movements focused on gender and LGBT+ issues are often left out or poorly integrated into the larger agenda for democratizing rights in Angola.

Brazilian Influence on Angola LGBT+ Activism

One of the most striking aspects of the Angolan LGBT+ movement is its deep connection to Brazil, not only among activists but also within the broader LGBT+ community. Brazil has had a strong cultural influence on Angola since the 19th century, with ties rooted in Angolan nativist movements. While Brazilian modernist literature and political texts have influenced anti-colonial thought, music and soap operas have been the most visible forms of Brazilian cultural influence on Angolan culture.

“During my time with Angolan LGBT+ activists, it was fascinating to observe how Brazilian LGBT+ figures, especially Black icons like pop star Ludmilla and politicians like Erika Hilton, serve as role models” says Pereira. The shared Portuguese language plays a major role in Brazil’s appeal to young Angolans – historical and geopolitical factors explain this, as Angolan communities tend to interact more with Portuguese-speaking countries and their Atlantic ties rather than its Southern African neighbors. 

Looking at Angolan feminist activism, the Brazilian connection is also prominent. Pereira highlights that many Angolan feminists, largely educated middle-class women, have studied in Brazilian universities. Feminist and Black feminist literature, particularly works translated and published in Brazil, is widely consumed in Angola. However, this cultural exchange presents a challenge: the need to adapt these ideas to the Angolan context, similar to how Brazilian feminism has adapted ideas from the US Black feminist movement. This process is ongoing but remains crucial for the local feminist discourse.

➔ To view Luena Pereira’s presentation, click the video below:

➔ To view the complete webinar, click the video below: