Carlos Anderson Henriques Fernandes (October 12, 1983 – February 26, 2024) was a prominent LGBT activist as well as the director and a founder of the Iris Angola Association, the first LGBT organization in the country. [1] [2] He played a major role in decriminalizing homosexuality in Angola and improving the country's LGBTI rights. [1]
Fernandes' career before his time at Iris Angola is not widely documented. According to Fernandes' Instagram, he previous worked a variety of jobs such as advertising distribution in Portugal, construction assistance in Spain, and management of Bar Manda Fama in Luanda. [3]
Fenandes and Paula Sebastião, a fellow activist at Iris Angola, described coming up with the idea of an LGBT organization in 2013 while participating in PSI's PROACTIVO project. [4] [2] The foundational objectives were "to contribute to a future in which sexual minorities have space, voice, participation and rights in Angolan society." [4]
Iris Angola, UNAIDS, and other civil groups pushed towards the revision of Angola's penal code to legalize homosexuality in the country. [5]
Carlos Fernandes was found dead in his home on February 26, 2024. His death is a suspected homicide by asphyxiation. Investigations are still ongoing. [6]
Carlos Anderson Henriques Fernandes (October 12, 1983 – February 26, 2024) was a prominent LGBT activist as well as the director and a founder of the Iris Angola Association, the first LGBT organization in the country. [1] [2] He played a major role in decriminalizing homosexuality in Angola and improving the country's LGBTI rights. [1]
Fernandes' career before his time at Iris Angola is not widely documented. According to Fernandes' Instagram, he previous worked a variety of jobs such as advertising distribution in Portugal, construction assistance in Spain, and management of Bar Manda Fama in Luanda. [3]
Fenandes and Paula Sebastião, a fellow activist at Iris Angola, described coming up with the idea of an LGBT organization in 2013 while participating in PSI's PROACTIVO project. [4] [2] The foundational objectives were "to contribute to a future in which sexual minorities have space, voice, participation and rights in Angolan society." [4]
Iris Angola, UNAIDS, and other civil groups pushed towards the revision of Angola's penal code to legalize homosexuality in the country. [5]
Carlos Fernandes was found dead in his home on February 26, 2024. His death is a suspected homicide by asphyxiation. Investigations are still ongoing. [6]