Impact of stigma and discrimination on sexual wellbeing of LGBTI students in a South African rural university

Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Azwihangwisi Helen

doi:10.20853/31-4-894

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…Most African countries criminalised same-sex relationship and considered the act as taboo (Mudavanhu, 2010 ), though Kenya and South Africa have constitutions that protect persons from exposure to stigma and discrimination based on sex (Ellis, 2009 ; Human Rights Watch, 2011 ). Mavhandu-Mudzusi ( 2017 ) reports about open condemnation of homosexuality by senior politicians and religious leaders in Zimbabwe, and people with such sexual orientation often suffer violence and aggression (Mabvurira, Motsi, Masuka, & Chigondo, 2012 ; Smith, 2015 ). The LGBTI community in South Africa faces considerable challenges which include social stigma, homophobic violence (particularly corrective rape) and high rates of HIV/AIDS infections, notwithstanding the South African constitution which outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation, and legalised same-sex marriage (South African Government, 1996 ).While researching on ‘Impact of stigma and discrimination on sexual wellbeing of LGBTI students in a South African rural university’, Mavhandu-Mudzusi ( 2017 ) observed that LGBTI students at this university engage in diverse sexual practices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Violence, abuse and discrimination: key factors militating against control of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI sector

Abaver

Cishe

2018

SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS

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The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) South Africans continue to face considerable challenges, including societal stigma, homophobic violence (particularly corrective rape), and high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and infections (particularly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS) even when discrimination based on sexual orientation was outlawed by South African’s post-apartheid constitution. This study was conducted to ascertain violence, abuse and discrimination against the LGBTI sector as key factors that hinder the smooth implementation of HIV/AIDS programme among sexually minority (LGBTI) group in Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. The self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study involved 3048 purposively selected participants (1285 male and 1763 female) aged 17–38 years. About 70.5% of the participants witnessed physical attack as a form of violence against people in same-gender relationship; 47.7% disagreed that violent targeted at this sexually minority group is justified. The LGBTI face challenges which include verbal insults (937, 32.4%), bullying (532, 18.4%) and name-calling (1389, 48%). Discrimination against members of the LGBTI sector was witnessed in various forms: non-acceptance (981, 33.9%), disapproval of act of homosexuals (1308, 45.2) and denial of rights (327, 11.3). Violence, abuse and discrimination which constitute stigmatisation among the LGBTI sector are received with mix feeling. Some respondents justified the use of one or more of these key elements of stigmatisation against the LGBTI (6.6%, supports violence), others condemned these acts of stigmatisation (28.8%), against discrimination). Social stigma which resulted from violence, abuse and discrimination exist in this institution and is responsible for the unwillingness of disclosure of sexual orientation among the LGBTI members. An enabling environment should be created where the LGBTI members could come out freely to access programmes targeted at the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Violence, abuse and discrimination: key factors militating against control of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI sector

Abaver

Cishe

2018

SAHARA-J: Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS

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“…By responding to the WhatsApp questionnaire, participants provided tacit consent to participate in the study. By guaranteeing anonymity, the principal researcher relied on her experience of working with LGBTIQ+ individuals in rural areas, where many were loath to inform anyone outside of the LGBTIQ+ group, including healthcare professionals, that they were gender non-conforming, for fear that their status would be revealed to their parents/family, which would have the negative consequences of being banished from home, or forced into marriage or parenting (Mavhandu-Mudzusi, 2017; 2018b).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

WhatsApp as a Qualitative Data Collection Method in Descriptive Phenomenological Studies

Mavhandu-Mudzusi

Moyo

Mthombeni

et al. 2022

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

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This article presents WhatsApp as a means of data collection among vulnerable populations, reporting on a study conducted in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to determine the terminology used for and among different genders and sexually diverse individuals. 19 LGBTIQ+ individuals, recruited through a modified snowballing technique, participated in the study. Using WhatsApp text-based information, the interview questions and information regarding the study and ethics-related information were forwarded from one participant to another. The same approach was used for data-collection purposes, where responses (either voice notes or written texts) were forwarded until they reached the initial two participants and/or the principal investigator. Data were analysed using Collazi’s steps for data analysis. As the study focus was on the data collection technique, the paper highlights the ethical implications related to using WhatsApp as a data collecting tool. The study also indicates the advantages and disadvantages of using this platform and further emphasises that voice note WhatsApp messages yielded higher-quality and more in-depth responses than text messages. The limitations of using WhatsApp, and ways of enhancing its use as a means of data collection among vulnerable populations, are also addressed.

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“…Research shows that heteronormativity is evident at some universities, and that it often perpetuates stigma, prejudice and homophobia against LGBTIQ+ students, who are often socially excluded (Kiguwa & Langa, 2017;Mavhandu-Mudzusi, 2017;Mavhandu-Mudzusi et al, 2015;Nduna et al, 2017;Smuts et al, 2015). In a quantitative study conducted by Smuts et al (2015) at a South African university, it was found that homophobia amongst students is often informed by earlier heteronormative socialization, which was backed up by religious teachings that the students grew up under.…”

Section: Heteronormativity and Homophobia In Universitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper explores the factors that influence perceptions that university undergraduate students hold concerning religiously sanctioned homophobia. While some research has been done on homophobia in South African universities (Kiguwa & Langa, 2017;Lesch et al 2017;Mavhandu-Mudzusi, 2017;Mayeza, 2021), much of the research is qualitative, and it usually focuses on the experiences of LGBTIQ+ students, without paying attention to the perceptions of the broader student community. This study seeks to provide a quantitative account of undergraduate university students' perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Quantitative Inquiry into South African Undergraduate University Students’ Perceptions of Religiously Sanctioned Homophobia

Maake¹

2022

OJSS

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The paper investigates the factors that inform university undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. Data was drawn from a quantitative survey conducted in 2017 on students’ perceptions of social norms, heteronormativity, and homophobia at a South African urban-based university. A total of 330 undergraduate students completed the survey. The study found statistically significant correlations between the factors of sex, degree of religiosity and family socialization and the undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. Male students demonstrated more support for religiously sanctioned homophobia than did female students. Students with a higher degree of religiosity were more likely to support statements that enforced homophobia than did students with a lower degree of religiosity. Students who had been socialized in homophobic families were more likely to support religiously sanctioned homophobia than were students who had grown up in more tolerant families. The study did not find statistically significant correlations between the factors of frequency of exposure to religious services and place of origin and the undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. The paper makes a substantive contribution to the limited South African studies that focus on the broader student population’s perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia.

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Impact of stigma and discrimination on sexual wellbeing of LGBTI students in a South African rural university

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

Violence, abuse and discrimination: key factors militating against control of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI sector

Violence, abuse and discrimination: key factors militating against control of HIV/AIDS among the LGBTI sector

WhatsApp as a Qualitative Data Collection Method in Descriptive Phenomenological Studies

A Quantitative Inquiry into South African Undergraduate University Students’ Perceptions of Religiously Sanctioned Homophobia

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