Homophobic victimisation: understanding the gender prejudice faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

This study focused on homophobic victimisation experienced by gay, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders living in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. In particular, the study investigated the victimisation experienced by participants based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It explored the contributing characteristics and factors that made them vulnerable to homophobic victimisation. It sought to understand the effects such homophobic victimisation had on them and to explore how participants navigate their identity to avoid further victimisation. It further explored participants’ perceptions about reporting victimisation to the police. To elicit data, a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to select 5 gay, 5 lesbian, 5 bisexual and 5 transgender participants. The researcher employed in-depth interviews as the primary source of the data collection method. The data was analysed through a thematic analysis process. This involved identifying themes from participants’ responses as they emerged. The findings revealed that the participants experienced extreme bullying based on their sexual orientation. The homophobic victimisation participants have suffered were violently inflicted on them through physical assault through beatings, psychological bullying through derogatory name calling, sexual assaults and violations through physical sexual attacks, sexual harassments and sexual intimidation. Participants reported being victimised based on their same-sex attraction, gender identity and non-conformance to traditional gender role beliefs. Respondents echoed that strong cultural and religious tenets enforced traditional heteronormative behaviour through; the regulation of heterosexuality and the ostracizing of homosexuality, and contributed to their own internalised homophobia and homophobic victimisation they experience. The mental, emotional and psychological harm reported by participants demonstrated the lasting negative effects that such victimisations has on them. The findings also revealed the various strategies and coping mechanisms participants have had to adopt to prevent further victimisation. Participants’ perception of reporting victimisation to the police revealed that that the fear of re-victimisation and poor police service deterred them while some participants felt it was their right to be protected by the South African Police. This study recommends that society change the narrative of enforcing heterosexuality as the norm and be more inclusive to other sexual orientations. Globally, this can be achieved through scrapping laws that criminalise same-sex behaviour; media representation of homosexuality should be more inclusive and not just sensationalizing reports of homophobic attacks; education sectors need to include other sexual orientations into their teaching programs; and training for people within the criminal justice system is required in order for them to treat victims of homophobic attacks with the respect they deserve.