BEING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX (LGBTI) STUDENTS AT A SOUTH AFRICAN RURAL-BASED UNIVERSITY: Implications for HIV prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/38Abstract
Negative attitudes towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities exist in South Africa, regardless of the constitutional provision and anti-discriminatory policies. Cases of violence against LGBTI persons due to their sexual orientation have been reported in the media and scientific journals. This study focused on LGBTI students of a rural-based university. It explored and described their experiences in interacting with members and structures of the university community. Â
A qualitative descriptive, exploratory, and contextual design was used and data were collected through individual face to face in-depth interviews. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants, who were selected through snow-balling technique. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data.
Stigma and discrimination were the mains theme that emerged from the analysis of the interviews. Four sub-themes and various categories were derived from the main theme. Despite the constitutional provisions and the core values guiding any university, LGBTI students are still being stigmatized and discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Stigma and discrimination issues should be incorporated in all HIV prevention activities in universities in South Africa.Â
Metrics
References
Afshar, A. 2006. The Anti-gay Movement in the United States: The framing of Religion. Essex Human Rights review, 3:64-79.
Arndt, M., and De Bruin, GP. 2006. Attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: Relations with gender, race and religion among university students. Psychology in Society, 33: 16–30.
Ayala, G., Beck, J., Lauer, K., Reynolds, R., and Sundararaj, M. 2010. Social discrimination against Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM); Implications for HIV Policy and Programmes. The Global Forum on MSM and HIV May 2010.
Beyrer,C., Baral,S.D., Walker, D., Witz, A.L., Johns, B., and Sifakis, F. 2010. The expanding epidemics of HIV Type 1 amongst Men Who Have sex With Men in Low and Middle-income Countries: Diversity and Consistency. American Journal of Epidemiology. Oxford University Press.
DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxq011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxq011
Besen, Y. and Zicklin, G. 2007. Young Men, Religion and Attitudes Towards Homosexuality. Journal of Men, Masculinity and Spirituality, 1(3): 250-256.
Brooks RA., Etzel MA., Hinojos E., Henry C.L., and Perez M. 2005. Preventing HIV Among Lation and African Gay and Biseual Men in a Context of HIV-Related Stigma, Discrimination, and Homophobia: Perspectives of Providers. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 19(11):737-744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2005.19.737
Bryman, A. 2012. Social Research Methods. 4th edition. Oxford University Press.
Cardena, M., Barrientos, J., Gomez, F., and Frias-Navarro, D. 2012. Attitudes Towards Gay Men and Lesbians and Their Relationship with Gender Role Beliefs in a Sample of Chilean University Students. International Journal of Sexual Health, 24: 226-236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2012.700687
Cock, J., 2003. Engendering Gay and Lesbian Rights: the Equality Clause in the South African Constitution, Women’s Studies International Forum, 26(1) 35-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5395(02)00353-9
Creswell, J.W., 2013. Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. 3rd edition. Sage: London.
Dwyer, A., 2011. ‘It’s Not Like We’re Going to Jump Them’: How Transgressing Heteronormativity Shapes Police Interactions with LGBTI Young People. Youth Justice, 11(3):203-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1473225411420526
Ellis, S.J. 2008. Diversity and inclusivity at university: A survey of the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in the UK. Higher Education, 57:723-739.doi:10.1007/s10734-008-9172-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-008-9172-y
Fish, J., 2010. Conceptualising social exclusion and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people: the implications for promoting equity in nursing policy and practice. Journal of Research in Nursing, 15 (4):303-312 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987110364691
Human Rights Watch. 2011. “We’ll Show you you’re a Womanâ€. Violence and Discrimination against Black Lesbians and Transgender Men in South Africa. Human Rights Watch: United States of America.
Keepnews, D.M., 2011. LGBT Health Issues and Nursing. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, 12(2):71-72 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154411425102
Mabvurira, V., Motsi, P.D., Masuka,T., and Chigondo, E.E., 2012. The “politics†of sexual identities in Zimbwabwe: A social work perpective. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2 (13): 218-223.
Meyer, D. 2010. Evaluating the Severity of Hate-motivated Violence: Intersectional Differences among LGBT Hate Crime Victims. Sociology. 44(5):980-995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038510375737
Mustanki, B., Lyons, T., and Garcia, S. 2011. Internet use and sexual health of young men who have sex with men: A mixed methods study. Archives of Sexual behaviour, 40(2): 289-300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-009-9596-1
Polit, F.D., and Beck, C. T. 2012. Nursing Research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. 9th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Rees-Turyn, A.M., Doyle, C., Holland, A., and Root, S. 2008. Sexism and Sexual Prejudice (Homophobia): The Impact of the Gender Belief System and Inversion Theory on Sexual Orientation Research and Attitudes toward Sexual Minorities. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 2(1): 2-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15538600802077467
Russo, R.G. 2006. The extent of Public Education Nondiscrimination Policy Protections for Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students: A national study. Urban Education, 41(2):115-150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085905284957
Sidebe, M. 2013. Now more than ever: targeting zero human rights violations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people in Africa. African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR) Preconference Meeting, ICASSA, 6 December 2013, Cape Town.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Accepted 2014-12-22
Published 2015-01-21
