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Queer Agency in Kenya’s Digital Media

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2014

Evan Mwangi
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Abstract:

Although scholars have noted the rising potentials for democracy in Africa as a result of increased use of digital media and mobile technologies, there seems to be a disregard or disavowal of queerness as part of that growing democratic space, as well as a related tendency to regard African culture solely in terms of mainstream writing and journalism. This article seeks to bridge this gap in the scholarship by means of a discourse analysis of comments about queer identities that can be found in the digital media (Facebook, chat rooms, blogs, YouTube comments, and online newspaper feedback) in contemporary Kenya. Following work on queer arts and “low” theory, the article explores the possibilities offered by the Internet to challenge homophobia in Kenya. While acknowledging that digital-media venues contain more homophobia than mainstream media (books, television, newspapers) in terms of intensity and quantity, the article demonstrates that they also offer a unique platform in which gay people can respond to homophobic representations of their experiences and desires.

Résumé:

Bien que les chercheurs ont noté la hausse d’un potentiel démocratique en Afrique grâce à l'utilisation accrue des médias numériques et des technologies mobiles, il semble y avoir une méconnaissance ou un désaveu de la culture gay dans le cadre de cet espace démocratique croissant, ainsi qu’une tendance liée à considérer la culture africaine uniquement en termes du journalisme et des écrits grand-publique. Cet article vise à combler cette lacune au moyen d'une analyse discursive des commentaires sur les identités gay qui peuvent être lus dans les médias numériques (Facebook, forums de discussion, blogs, commentaires YouTube, et commentaires de la presse en ligne) dans le Kenya contemporain. Suite à des travaux sur les arts gay et la théorie situationniste de la production de connaissance en dehors des institutions, l'article explore les possibilités offertes par l'Internet pour contester l'homophobie au Kenya. Tout en reconnaissant que les sites de médias numériques contiennent plus d'homophobie que les médias traditionnels (livres, télévision, journaux) en termes d'intensité et de quantité, l'article montre qu’ils offrent également une plateforme unique où les homosexuels peuvent répondre aux représentations homophobes de leurs expériences et de leurs désirs.

Keywords

Digital mediaqueerhomophobiaagencyKenyan media
Type
ARTICLES
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , September 2014 , pp. 93 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2014 

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