The myths and stereotypes against homosexuality in the African context: A literary analysis of Nadine Gordimer’s <i>the house gun</i>

Abstract

This paper has aimed to debunk the myths and stereotypes against homosexuality in African societies. It has probed into the conception about homosexuality being un-African through the aid of Nadine Gordimer’s The House Gun. The aforementioned narration was utilised as a corroborator of the malaise besieging Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) in the African society by virtue of the notion that  homosexuality is un-African. Many LGBTQs, specifically in the African context are discriminated against, disowned by their families and sometimes killed for disclosing their sexual identities. This ill-treatment is perpetuated by the belief that the aboriginal African identity is only distinguished by heterosexuality, thus, declaring homosexuality alien in the continent (Montle, 2020). The assumption is adopted by many Africans as reflected in The House Gun, which employs the South African society as a case in point. The paper has relied on a qualitative methodology and textual analysis to unearth the misconceptions about homosexuality through the study of Gordimer’s The House Gun. It has found African cultural and religious belief systems as nemeses of homosexuality and they are often excused to perpetrate discriminatory attitudes towards LGBTQs.