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Meanings of Homosexuality, Same-Sex Sexuality, and Africanness in Two South African Townships: An Evidence-Based Approach for Rethinking Same-Sex Prejudice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2013

Veronica Sigamoney  and
Marc Epprecht
Veronica Sigamoney
Affiliation:
Veronica Sigamoney is a Ph.D. candidate in social anthropology at Witwatersrand University, South Africa. She has worked as a social researcher for a number of years and has led and participated in various research projects, including research on gender, sexuality, and discursive constructions of sex and HIV/AIDS. E-mail: [email protected]
Marc Epprecht
Affiliation:
Marc Epprecht is a historian and professor in the Department of Global Development Studies, Queen’s University, Canada. He is the author of numerous studies of gender and sexuality in African history, including Sexuality and Social Justice in Africa (forthcoming 2013). E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract:

The assertion “homosexuality is un-African” is widely viewed as an expression of homophobia. However, without knowledge of what homosexuality and “Africanness” mean in a given context, any understanding of how to shift the prejudices associated with this assertion remains limited. Research conducted in 2010 with police, high school learners (students), and a sample of more than one thousand residents from two urban townships in South Africa contributes to this understanding. This article draws on data from the research to explore the significance of cultural translation when considering what constitutes same-sex prejudice and how it may relate to notions of authenticity or “real Africanness.” While the research provides evidence of same-sex prejudice, there is also evidence of qualified acceptance of same-sex sexuality and of efforts to combat prejudice. Opportunities for change are discussed with reference to the data.

Résumé:

L’affirmation “l’homosexualité n’est pas africaine” est largement perçue comme une expression homophobe. Cependant, sans connaissance de ce que l’homosexualité et “l’africanité” veulent dire dans un contexte défini, toute tentative de faire évoluer les préjudices associés à cette assertion reste limitée. Les résultats d’une étude menée en 2010 auprès de la police, de lycéens et d’un échantillon de plus de mille résidents provenant de deux bidonvilles urbains en Afrique du sud contribuent à cette perspective. Cet article mobilise des données provenant de l’étude pour explorer l’importance de leur traduction au niveau culturel concernant ce qui constitue un préjudice contre l’homosexualité et comment cela peut être lié à des notions d’authenticité ou d’ “africanité réelle.” Bien que l’étude fournisse des preuves concernant l’existence de préjudices contre l’homosexualité, il y a aussi des preuves montrant de la tolérance avérée envers l’homosexualité et des efforts pour combattre les préjudices existants. Les possibilités de progrès sont évaluées avec des références aux données de l’étude.

Keywords

homophobiahomosexualitygenderidentityAfricanness
Type
ASR FORUM: HOMOPHOBIC AFRICA?
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , September 2013 , pp. 83 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2013 

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