The queering of space: Investigating spatial manifestations of homosexuality in De Waterkant, Cape Town

Abstract

With this essay, I propose to invest South African visual culture with a broader set of subjects, areas and approaches of study. It is especially with regard to what I feel the discipline and its discourses are lacking, that I chose to deal with this topic: Yes, South Africa's turbulent past is intrinsic to any study on local soil, but for the most part the focus has been on marginalised ethnic or racial minorities; while sexual orientation as basis for discrimination, segregation and ‘otherness’ has not garnered nearly as much attention. Furthermore, this study aspires to supplement the research that has already been conducted with regard to space and sexuality in fields that vary from sociology, human geography and, of course, visual culture studies. Also, by making use of a local example, instead of focusing on other queer spaces such as West Hollywood, I hope to add a distinctly South African flavour to the debate on whether space possesses a sexual orientation or identity; which forms the leading question of this enquiry. Consequently then, in answering these questions, and a multitude of others, I will make use of De Waterkant, as an example of a meeting point or amalgamation of space and sexuality.