Discursive negotiations of Kenyan LGBTI identities: Cautions in cultural humility

ABSTRACT

This study identifies and analyzes sites of discursive negotiation regarding sexual and gender minority identities in Kenya. A demonizing master narrative of homosexuality is constructed through cultural myths prevalent in Kenyan media yet challenged by claims of innate identity through strategic essentialism and glocalized naming practices. Using participant observation and creative focus group methodologies with lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and intersex community members and journalists in Nairobi, Kenya this research project demonstrates the necessity of cultural humility while addressing contemporary absences in the study of queer identities in intercultural scholarship and communication research within African contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Homosexuality
• media advocacy
• identity
• media representation
• master narrative

Acknowledgments

Dustin Bradley Goltz is an Associate Professor and Alexandra G. Murphy is a Professor in the College of Communication at DePaul University. Jason Zingsheim is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences at Governors State University. Teresa Mastin is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. This research was made possible by the support of DePaul University's University Research Council, DePaul University's Public Service Council and the College of Arts and Sciences at Governors State University.

Notes

1. Tensions surrounding labeling will be explored in a later section. Here, it is necessary to briefly explain our use of “homosexuality” and “LGBTI persons,” as these are not synonymous and operate differently. When addressing the dominant myths and meanings, variations of “homosexuality” are used to reflect the mainstream mediated and cultural language that is used (and carries a negative weight). When enlisting variations of the label “LGBTI persons” (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex), we are reflective of the participants, their experiences, and where and how they identify and label themselves.

2. Although this master narrative has become less prominent or acceptable in mainstream Western media than in previous decades, these cultural stories still permeate U.S. mediated culture, and remnants still work to shape and define gay and lesbian media in contemporary U.S. culture (Goltz, 2010; Gross, 2001; Russo, 1987).