| ISBN | 9780797434837 |
| Pages | 272 |
| Dimensions | 216 x 140 mm |
| Published | 2008 |
| Publisher | GALZ, Zimbabwe |
| Format | Hardback |
Unspoken Facts
A History of Homosexualities in Africa
edited by GALZ
Homosexuality. Lesbians. Gay rights. Homophobia. These terms have surfaced in recent years in Africa to the shock, embarrassment and even anger of many people. This book is about that, and about the coming out (into public view) of individuals who in the past tended to keep a low profile. What does the history of homosexuality and the reactions against it tell us about African history in general? And how might this knowledge help us in struggles against HIV/AIDS, gender violence and other social inequalities in contemporary Africa? Based on Marc Epprecht's award-winning monograph Hungochani: the history of a dissident sexuality in southern Africa, along with creative contributions from other pioneering scholars in the field, this study offers a sympathetic portrayal of the lives of people who do not conform to society's dominant expectations in terms of love and marriage. Additional material includes several fictionalised accounts of same-sex relationships in southern Africa.
Review
"Epprecht hopes that his determination to prove Mugabe wrong on queer issues will prove useful to Zimbabwe's historical and cultural record."
About the Editor
GALZ was formed in 1990 to provide gay men and lesbians in Zimbabwe with a network to facilitate communication within the gay community. Presently GALZ' aim is to network broadly with other human rights organisations, the womens' movement, AIDS initiatives and regional associates. The objective is to increase awareness of gay rights in as broad a forum as possible thereby integrating these rights with the other basic human rights for which civil society is currently battling.