Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents a discussion of a photographic representation of lesbian identity in Southern Africa. Two photographic series, Does your lifestyle depress your mother? and the Dyke Career Series (collectively referred to/exhibited as Lavender Menace) produced during the period 1997 to 1999 form the practical component of this MA submission. Lavender Menace is considered in relation to lesbian identity, lesbian social visibility, stereotypes and the relationship between photography and 'reality'. The various readings that the works can be said to have, are discussed and an explanation of the purpose in photographing the 'ordinariness' of the lesbians who were imaged, is included. A historical overview of the concepts 'lesbian', and 'visibility'specifically in South Africa during the last 50 years, and how homophobia has affected lesbian life is presented in Chapter One. In Chapter Two, the notion of stereotypes is examined, particularly those of the 'butch' lesbian and the 'lipstick' or 'chic' lesbian. Neither of these stereotypes is entirely accurate and the role of stereotypes in potentially disseminating mis-information and prejudice, and how this influences potential ways of identity construction, is discussed. It can be seen that this influence of stereotypes on lesbians and lesbian visual representation cannot be ignored as the dominant stereotypes in society are too pervasive. The notion of readability is explored in Chapter Three. The constructed nature of photography, specifically with regard to Lavender Menace, is discussed in relation to truth, theatricality, the use of text and possible readings of the work. An explanation of my particular purpose in choosing to photograph in the way I did is included, concluding that although meaning is not fixed, the intention of the artist can be visually presented in a 'legible' manner (if desired) to assist possible interpretations. This thesis/research has been utilised to inform my own artistic production, by exploring the questions and issues raised while producing Lavender Menace, namely lesbian visibility, the use of stereotypes and how images are interpreted. This thesis and Lavender Menace should contribute to the general research area by promoting social visibility of lesbians in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bied 'n bespreking van 'n fotografiese voorstelling van lesbiese identiteit in Suid-Afrika. Die praktiese komponent van die voorlegging vir die Meestersgraad bestaan uit twee reekse fotos, Does your lifestyle depress your mother? en Dyke Career Series, wat in die periode vanaf 1997 tot 1999 geproduseer is (en gesamentlik as Lavender Menace uitgestal/beskou word). Lavender Menace word in verhouding tot lesbiese identitieit, lesbiese sosiale sigbaarheid, stereotipes en die verhouding tussen fotografie en 'werklikheid' beskou. Die verskillende lesings/beduidenisse wat die werk sou kon hê, word bespreek en 'n verduideliking van die doelstelling met die fotografering van die 'gewoonheid' van die lesbiese wat verbeeld is, word ingesluit. 'n Historiese oorsig van die konsepte 'lesbies' en 'sigbaarheid', veral in Suid-Afrika gedurende die afgelope 50 jaar, en hoe homofobie die lesbiese lewenswyse geaffekteer het, word in Hoofstuk Een aangebied. In Hoofstuk Twee word die idee van stereotipes ondersoek, veral die van die 'butch' en die 'lipstiffie-', of'sjiek' lesbiese vrou. Geeneen van hierdie stereotipes is geheel-en-al korrek nie en die rol van stereotipes in die potensiële verspreiding van verkeerde inligting en vooroordeel en hoe dit die potensiële wyses vir die konstruksie van identiteit affekteer, word bespreek. Daar word getoon dat die invloed van stereotipering op die lesbiese vrou en die lesbiese visuele voorstelling nie geïgnoreer kan word nie, aangesien die oorheersende stereotipes in die samelewing te deurdringend is. Die idee van leesbaarheid word in Hoofstuk Drie ondersoek. Die gekonstrueerde aard van fotografie, veral met betrekking tot Lavender Menace, word met betrekking tot die waarheid, die teatrale, die gebruik van teks en moontlike lesings/interpretasies van die werk bespreek. 'n Verduideliking van my besondere doelstelling met die keuse van hoé om te fotografeer word ingesluit, met die konklusie dat, alhoewel betekenis nie finaal vasgelê is nie, die bedoeling van die kunstenaar visueel op 'n 'leesbare' manier voorgestel kan word (indien dit verlang word) om moontlike interpretasies te ondersteun. Die tesis/navorsing is aangewend om my eie artistieke produksie in te lig deur die vrae en kwessies wat gedurende die produksie van Lavender Menace na vore gekom het, namens lesbiese sigbaarheid, die gebruik van stereotipes en hoe beelde geïnterpreteer word, te ondersoek. Hierdie tesis, tesame met Lavender Menace, behoort Inbydrae te lewer tot die navorsingveld in die algemeen deur die bevordering van die sosiale sigbaarheid van die lesbiese in Suid-Afrika.

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The South African constitution makes provision for the rights of gays and lesbians, and has legalized same-sex relationships. However, many people, including students in same-sex relationships continue to be harassed and maltreated. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of first entering students towards same-sex relationships at the University of Limpopo. A sample of 100 students (first entering students= 50, final level students = 50; with ages ranging from eighteen to forty five years), with a total number of twenty five (25) students drawn each of the four faculties at the university were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using the Homophobia Scale comprising of 25 close-ended questions which focus on behavioural, affective and cognitive attitudes towards gays and lesbians. Data were analysed using nominal data analysis and interpreted using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. The study results revealed that fifty two percent (52%) of first entering students at the University of Limpopo have negative attitudes towards same-sex relationships with seventy four percent (74%) of first-entering students having no knowledge regarding same-sex relationships. Seventy three percent (73%) of participants behave negatively towards people in same-sex relationships. The study is concluded by recommending that more similar studies that include larger sample of students from different universities and different racial backgrounds be conducted. The results of the study have implications for the University of Limpopo in when it comes to understanding and promoting knowledge about same-sex relationships.

Research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Studies. March 2015 / This paper examines race and class schisms among South African LGBTI persons using the lens of hate crimes legislation. While much praise is given to South Africa’s constitutional framework which provides for non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, LGBTI persons still face unacceptably high levels of violence and victimisation. An ongoing trend of violent murders of black lesbian women in particular has mobilised advocacy by LGBTI organisations and other civil society actors to call for hate crimes legislation. This paper takes a critical look at hate crimes legislation and the potential problems of its application in a society with gross inequality and power discrepancies. This critique has as its foundation an acknowledgement that action needs to be taken to address the scourge of violence, while at the same time understanding the intersectionality of oppression and the uneven results achieved by liberal legal reform.

This thesis provides a sociological understanding of how conventional knowledge of sexuality negates the identity formation of black gay men in contemporary South Africa. It investigates the coming out experiences of six black gay men in order to reveal the disjunctures between being black and being gay. The theoretical formation of disjuncture is pursued through examining a number of sociological, historical, psychoanalytical, and feminist approaches to identity, sexuality, and society; featuring specifically the theories of George Herbert Mead, Michel Foucault, and Judith Butler. The chosen research paradigm is symbolic interactionism, postulating both „pragmatist‟ and „empiricist‟ trends that lead to both interactionist and structuralist forms of argumentation. The interactionist approach to sexuality is central to the deconstruction of sexual conventions. It involves conceptualising modern sexuality in the landscapes of African colonial history and the global gay and lesbian movement. The prescribed literature on homosexuality is thus reviewed in conjunction with the South African gay and lesbian struggle, so as to spawn themes and perspectives for conducting life story interviews. The use of the life story interview favours the participants‟ own view of the studied phenomenon, yet aims to depict the structural influence on homosexual identification. Following the qualitative research tradition, the data analysis is based on the interpretation of narratives. It illustrates interpersonal relationships and microscopic experiences that lead to the self-acceptance and self-actualisation of homosexuality. Within these processes, various disjunctures that exist between the cultural sanction of lifestyle and individual choice, between parents and children, between religious belief and personal desires, and between gender identity and sexual orientation are disclosed. The findings are associated with the historical transformation of masculinity in South Africa, sex role performance, and the heterosexualisation of desire. The solution to the proposed research problem is discussed through concepts of socialisation and gender conformity.

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / This study seek to explore the challenges that are faced by youth in lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) relationships at Mkhuhlu location. The study argues that this cohort, just like any other, should be afforded human rights, and the choice to be in lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex relationships. Research has shown that those who believe sexual orientation is inborn are more likely to have tolerant attitudes towards lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people, whereas those who believe it is a choice have less tolerant attitudes. The study was undertaken at Mkhuhlu location and the respondents were males and females in lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex relationships. A feminist epistemological approach to doing research guided the process of data collection while also employing a qualitative approach in interpreting the data. An exploratory design was used to gain a broader understanding in the challenges that youth in lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex relationships are faced with every day. A Sample of 10 respondents from Mkhuhlu location was selected. Non-probability sampling was used and snow-ball sampling method was also used to draw the required sample. The data was collected through the use of guided unstructured interviews. The findings in this study reveal that LGBTI youth have faced various challenges in their daily lives. LGBTI people face considerable levels of stigmatization, discrimination and harassment in their daily lives. These challenges have negative impact in the lives of LGBTI youth and also bring various emotions, which include intense sadness, anxiety, loneliness, discomfort in social situations, and feeling overwhelmed. The study also found that there are strategies that can be employed in order to alleviate the challenges of LGBTI youth, through education the misperception that LGBTI sexual interest is uncommon and sinful may be corrected if realistic, developmentally appropriate sex education is made accessible to the public. / NRF