Southern Perspectives on Gender Relations and Sexualities: A Queer Intervention

Abstract

This paper locates its position from the Southern African context in order to rethink knowledge production in sexuality and gender relations. Grappling with the brutal violence and murder of Black lesbians in particular, the paper unpacks how what I call ‘the queer turn’ has simultaneously advanced and made invisible particular struggles. Finally, based on the experience of the #RhodesMustFall movement and in artistic cultural productions, the paper argues for reimagining the category queer not just as sexual or gender identity, but also as a form of destabilizing notions of belonging attached to the racist and heteronormative neo-colonial project.

Keywords

• Sexuality
• Black Lesbians
• South Africa
• Queer
• #RhodesMustFall movement