Some Reflections on Postcolonial Homophobia, Local Interventions, and LGBTI Solidarity Online: The Politics of Global Petitions

In the last two decades we have witnessed an increase in online petitions and campaigns emerging from Europe and North America against homophobia in various African countries, creating a particular form of visibility with some remarkable global success. Based on these online petitions and postings a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African studies review 2013-09, Vol.56 (2), p.67-81
Main Author: Gunkel, Henriette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activists
ASR FORUM: HOMOPHOBIC AFRICA?
Gays & lesbians
Hate crimes
Homophobia
Motion pictures
Pointing
Political activism
Politics
Postcolonialism
Rape
Sex crimes
Violence
Web sites
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Summary:In the last two decades we have witnessed an increase in online petitions and campaigns emerging from Europe and North America against homophobia in various African countries, creating a particular form of visibility with some remarkable global success. Based on these online petitions and postings as well as the responses of African activists, this article reflects on the politics of this global queer solidarity. By suggesting a restrategizing of antihomophobia politics, it contributes to the ongoing debate about LGBTI politics in a transnational and global framework, pointing to the challenges but also the possibilities for the future. Dans les dernières décennies nous avons été témoins d’une augmentation sur internet de pétitions et de campagnes provenant d’Europe et d’Amérique du Nord contre l’homophobie dans plusieurs pays d’Afrique, créant une forme particulière de visibilité avec un succès mondial remarquable. En se basant sur ces pétitions et messages Internet ainsi que les réponses des activistes africains, cet article offre une réflexion sur ce mouvement gay international. En suggérant une réorientation des stratégies politiques anti-homophobes, il contribue aux débats présents concernant la politique LGBTI dans un contexte mondial et transnational, indiquant les difficultés mais aussi les possibilités pour son avenir.
ISSN:0002-0206
1555-2462
DOI:10.1017/asr.2013.42