Studying sexuality: LGBTI experiences in institutions of higher education in Southern Africa

Abstract

Although there are several studies internationally on gender and sexual orientation diversity, these are limited in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This special issue contains articles written from different Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) in the SADC region on experiences of LGBTI individuals covering sexual health, teaching and training, advocacy and interventions. The aim of publishing this research is to disseminate information for broader advocacy to destabilise hetero-and cis-normativity. The study sites included rural and metropolitan-based institutions and diverse research designs were used. Most of the research findings presented here indicate that the institutions of higher education in SADC are still heteronormative and LGBTI staff and students are marginalized, prejudiced and discriminated Nduna, Mthombeni, Mavhandu-Mudzusi and Mogotsi LGBTI experiences in institutions of higher education 2 against. Some studies report that there are activities in a few institutions harnessed in order to create conducive teaching and learning environments for and about sexual orientation and gender identity in the SADC.

A sociological exploration of the need for safe spaces for lesbian and gay students on a South African university campus

“…The current article echoes the call for a localised focus on the experiences of and possibilities for gender and sexually diverse persons in education institutions in the global South (Graziano 2004;Nduna et al 2017). The writers engage the findings from a 2017 explorative sociological study on the need for such safe spaces for lesbian and gay students on North-West University's (NWU) Potchefstroom campus.…”

The New Normal, Lesbian and Gay Themed Advertisements in the Mainstream – Exploring Heterosexual Responses to Lesbian and Gay Themed Adverts in South Africa

“…When apartheid ended more than two decades ago, the new government in South Africa quickly adopted progressive legislation, passing laws that enshrine gender equality and freedom of expression (De Greef 2019). Despite the fact that South Africa passed a Bill of Rights in 1996 that forbids discrimination against individuals on the grounds of sexual orientation, the LGBTQ community still suffers homophobia, particularly in townships and rural areas (Nduna et al 2017). A study conducted by Hosken (2017) found that approximately 50% of the respondents knew and/or had heard of a gay individual who has been assaulted, raped or murdered for being gay.…”

Cross-cultural perspectives of LGBTQ psychology from five different countries: current state and recommendations

“…Within psychology programs, help to fill a theoretical and training gap by providing incentives to explore LGBTQ issues in different areas of psychology (e.g., include openness to exploring LGBTQ concerns in course objectives and allow students to focus on LGBTQ issues in their research). In this regard, Southern Africa has indeed seen an increase in publications addressing the need for more inclusive pedagogical and research practices, aimed at challenging heteronormativity (Francis & Msibi, 2011;Nduna, Mthombeni, Mavhandu-Mudzusi, & Mogotsi, 2017;Nel, 2009b).…”