ABSTRACT
This essay is based on interviews conducted in 1992 with 20 African men who have sex with other men. Their lives disprove the lie: ‘Homosex is not in Black Culture!’ 1
Bongani * is about 30. We met him for the first time in the Skyline Bar in Hillbrow and have not seen him since.
Chris * is 22, from Moroka in Soweto. He works for Junior's catering firm when he can, and is a close friend of Linda's.
Fillie is in his twenties and unemployed. He lives with his hubby at his mother's home in Moroka, Soweto.
Jeffrey is 26. He is from Zimbabwe but now lives in Thembisa. We met him when he was having a drink in the Skyline with his colleagues from an interior decorating firm.
Junior is 39 and runs his own catering firm. His home in Jabulani Flats provides a meeting place for many young gays in that area of Soweto.
Kimberly is 22 and is from Mabopane, outside Pretoria. He is Odelle's cousin and a friend of Linda's.
Linda, that's the Zulu Linda, not the girl's name, was a teacher from Senoane in Soweto. He wrote this essay with Hugh. He died of AIDS-related complications in February 1993.
Lucky is 20 and from Soweto. He lives in a shack in the backyard of his mother's home. He would like to study law.
Martin is 17, and also from Soweto. He dresses in drag whenever he can. He used to go to school but was forced to leave because he is gay.
Mlungisi is 21 and lives in Meadowlands. He is unemployed.
Odelle from Mabopane is also 21. He is reigning Miss Glow 1992, and earns a living making dresses with his mother.
Pik * is 20 and from Soweto. His family suspect he is gay. He is afraid they will find out, for they support him.
Ron is 20 and from Daveyton. He is unemployed.
Ruben is 26 and from Sebokeng. He works for the Department of Education and Training in Vereeniging.
Shado * is 27. He is from Gazankulu in the Northern Transvaal but now lives in Tsakane. He is a National Union of Mineworkers shopsteward on a mine in the East Rand.
Sipho is 18 and a is school student in Soweto.
Stompie is 25. He is from Soweto and is unemployed.
Thami is 24 and is from Dobsonville in Soweto. He is unemployed.
Thebo is 24. He lives in Meadowlands and works for a legal firm in Johannesburg.
Trevor is 23 and is from a Township near Witbank. He works in a store.
