Queer Word- and World-Making in South Africa

This book explores everyday sexual experiences in KwaZulu-Natal, examining personal narratives and queer artifacts to reveal linguistic and performative resistance strategies, highlighting the complexities of gender and sexuality in South Africa.

Queer Word- and World-Making in South Africa delves into the everyday experiences of sexuality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, examining personal narratives and various queer artifacts. The book highlights the linguistic and performative strategies that individuals employ as forms of resistance, a concept referred to as queer word- and world-making. Through this exploration, the author sheds light on the complexities of non-normative expressions of gender and sexuality within the region.

The text addresses the intricate politics surrounding language and its contested meanings, emphasizing how words associated with sexuality carry significant weight in social contexts. The author, Taylor Riley, argues that sexualities extend beyond mere acts or identities; they embody desires that shape and are shaped by the surrounding social environment. This perspective invites readers to reconsider assumptions about sexuality as a straightforward domain of knowledge, urging a deeper understanding of the meanings embedded in language and the silences that often accompany discussions of same-sexualities.

By personalizing the often contentious dialogues surrounding queer life and LGBTI rights in South Africa, this volume offers valuable insights for scholars and advanced students in anthropology, queer studies, and African studies. It serves as a critical resource for those interested in the nuanced interplay between language, identity, and resistance within the framework of South African society.