‘Real women’ and ‘real lesbians’ : discourses of heteronormativity amongst a group of lesbians

Abstract

The pre-1996 anti-homosexuality laws have been repealed and today South Africa's constitution recognises and protects the rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. Despite equality in terms of the law, there is still a great deal of stigmatisation of same-sex sexuality, or any relationship that does not conform to heterosexuality. This dominant heteronormative narrative of relationships has led to an ‘othering’ of same-sex couples and families. Lesbian relationships are therefore assumed to be inferior to heterosexual relationships, and are plagued by stereotypes and misconceptions. In addition, given the context of violence in South Africa, adopting a non-heterosexual identity could prove to be dangerous. In response to these homophobic conceptions which are dominant in society, the women in my sample reveal particular ways of representing themselves and their same-sex relationships. Different discourses are appropriated in an effort to present themselves in a more ‘favourable’ light. This article investigates to what extent ‘heteronormativity’ in particular is appropriated in describing themselves, their own, and other same-sex relationships.