Beyond the rainbow: creative approaches as dialogue for LGBTQIA+ intimate partner violence

ABSTRACT

In research, discourse and various forms of representation of intimate partner violence, there has remained a silence on the issue within LGBTQIA+ relationships. This paper argues that this silence is a function of society and how it constructs gender and gender roles, looking at the important work of Ifi Amadiume in challenging how we see and construct gender. The paper illustrates how creative approaches embody dialogue and discourse where there has been silence. The paper proposes that we can imagine an alternative definition of IPV through this embodiment by highlighting the long-standing connection of art with political discourse and violence, respectively, in South Africa. Contrasting Amadiume’s ideas with those of Augusto Boal, the paper posits that ‘dear friend’ (2019) by Tumelo Thamaga and Sinalo Thuku and The Suit (2019) by Uvile Ximba use narrative construction to counter the dominant IPV narrative, and generate new discourse.

KEYWORDS:

• Intimate partner violence
• Ifi Amadiume
• Augusto Boal
• narrative construction
• LGBTQIA+ IPV

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my supervisors, Lalu Mokuku and Dr Siphokazi Magadla, for seeing me to the finish. To Tumelo Thamaga, for her work and her support of mine. My mother, Noncekelelo Jeyi, for her belief in my future. And to all my family, for their love.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Uvile Memory Samkelisiwe Ximba

Uvile Memory Samkelisiwe Ximba (she/ her) is a theatre-maker, writer and creative producer. She holds a BA in Political and International Studies, Economics and Drama, and a BA (Hons) in Political and International Studies and Drama. Uvile’s interests lie in inter-disciplinary work and the intersections of politics and art. Uvile is particularly interested in gender studies and sexuality and foregrounds these areas in her work. She is the co-founder of Thamba Creatives, a multimedia company premised on telling the stories of black women. Uvile is currently working on her debut novel with Modjaji Books, Dreaming in Colour.