College of Human Sciences

IGS in Collaboration with IAM present a webinar titled: Unsilencing “Conversion Practices” of LGBTIQ+ People: The Role of Religion and Law

Venue:
MS Teams
Event date:
2022-09-29 00:00:00.0
Time:
10:00:00 - 12:00:00

Click here to join the event

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer persons are a vulnerable population who experience harm frequently because their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) transgress, disturb, and destabilise heteronormative views on sex, gender, and sexuality. Heteronormativity builds on the idea that there are only two sexes, which warrants corresponding gender roles and norms. The power of heteronormativity is embedded in interpersonal relationships, structurally, systemically, culturally, and religiously. Hegemonic heterosexuality enforces discriminatory laws through these discourses and matrices, frequently by using overt and covert acts of violence to force compliance and non-compliance. Activists and scholars have become aware of and studied the hegemonic heterosexual acts of “conversion practices” on the African continent. The Institute for Gender Studies at UNISA in collaboration with Inclusive and Affirming Ministries will host a virtual roundtable to critically engage “conversion practices”. These practices aim to change, divert, convert or suppress the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of LGBTIQ people. Ms Khanyo Farisè, as the project lead on Conversion Practices (SOGIE CE) in Africa from OutRight Action International, will share the findings of the research conducted. Ms Nokuthula Mjwara (Inclusive and Affirming Ministries) and Imam Muhsin Hendricks (Al-Ghurbaah Foundation) will also explore the impact of religion (Christianity and Islam) and law, but also highlight the work of NGOs that offer psycho-social support for victims/survivors of “conversion practices”.