https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/14516 2026-05-05T16:16:07Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32423 "Raw is law": exploring sexual behaviours of gay men who use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Gauteng, South Africa Gama, Dalisu Dumisani Thanduxolo This study explored the sexual behaviours of gay men who use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Gauteng, South Africa, through the perspectives of Erving Goffman’s stigma theory and Berger and Luckmann’s social constructionism theory. Employing these two theories, the study examined how sexual identities and the stigma associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and PrEP influence the sexual behaviours and decision-making processes of gay men. Consequently, the study explored the stigma and related barriers to accessing PrEP and its influence on sexual behaviours of gay men. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 gay men in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The key findings are presented through three major themes. The first theme highlights the prevalence of risky sexual behaviours among most gay men who take PrEP, including condomless sex and multiple sexual partners, both before and after initiating PrEP. The second theme underscores that PrEP does not solely dictate sexual behaviour; rather, many participants continued to use it alongside other HIV-prevention strategies, such as condoms. The third theme addresses the stigma related to PrEP and uncovers the ongoing experiences of shame and negative labelling by friends, family, partners, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. Overall, the study reveals a complex interaction between PrEP uptake, sexual behaviours, and stigma. While PrEP serves as an important method of HIV prevention, its impact varies among the gay men who use it. The persistent stigma surrounding PrEP highlights the urgent need for targeted education and awareness, continuous screening for sexually transmitted infections, and stigma-reduction initiatives to support and encourage informed and safe sexual health practices by gay men. The limited data available suggest that research focusing exclusively in gay men who take PrEP has not been sufficiently explored in South Africa. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on how PrEP affects various aspects of the lives of men who identify as gay and thus contributes by enhancing existing HIV-prevention methods. In addition to the wider prevention strategies, the research proposes how the methods can be better tailored for gay men. Additionally, the study also proposes a number of strategies to address various stigmas and social challenges faced by gay men who take PrEP. Based on the findings, recommendations were developed to inform strategies for HIV prevention, advance awareness and education in communities, reform healthcare practices, and influence health policy in inclusive and affirming ways. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32044 Exploring Heteronormativity and the Illusion of the ‘Real Man’: A Case Study of Sivuyile (Siv) Ngesi Maake, Tshepo; Smuts, Letitia In this paper, we aim to explore public reactions to non-normative expressions of masculinity within South African society. We argue that although society has become more accepting of such expressions, there still exists public criticism and heteronormative labelling of sexuality and gender. The case study of a local entertainment celebrity, Sivuyile Ngesi, is used to interrogate the illusion of the “real man” and the construction of heteronormative masculinities in the South African context. Ngesi’s personal portrayal of his masculine identity is unconventional and provides an example of an atypical expression of a Black African heterosexual identity. In the paper we draw on a range of local media sources, as well as an in-depth interview with Ngesi himself, to discuss an idiosyncratic vision of an alternative Black African masculine identity and the realities and implications around it. 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32043 A Quantitative Inquiry into South African Undergraduate University Students’ Perceptions of Religiously Sanctioned Homophobia Maake, Tshepo The paper investigates the factors that inform university undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. Data was drawn from a quantitative survey conducted in 2017 on students’ perceptions of social norms, heteronormativity, and homophobia at a South African urban-based university. A total of 330 undergraduate students completed the survey. The study found statistically significant correlations between the factors of sex, degree of religiosity and family socialization and the undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. Male students demonstrated more support for religiously sanctioned homophobia than did female students. Students with a higher degree of religiosity were more likely to support statements that enforced homophobia than did students with a lower degree of religiosity. Students who had been socialized in homophobic families were more likely to support religiously sanctioned homophobia than were students who had grown up in more tolerant families. The study did not find statistically significant correlations between the factors of frequency of exposure to religious services and place of origin and the undergraduate students’ perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia. The paper makes a substantive contribution to the limited South African studies that focus on the broader student population’s perceptions of religiously sanctioned homophobia 2022-08-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31992 Towards Dismantling Heteronormativity at South African Universities: Heterosexual Students’ Perceptions of Heteronormative Ideologies and LGBTIQ+ Identities Maake, Tshepo South African literature demonstrates that heteronormative ideologies are evident at universities and inform various discriminations against LGBTIQ+ students. These heteronormative ideologies emanate from the traditional heteronormative socialisation in the South African society. While there is notable literature based on the experiences and perceptions of LGBTIQ+ students at universities, not much research pays attention to heterosexual students’ perceptions. It is imperative to consider heterosexual students’ perceptions of LGBTIQ+ identities to challenge heteronormative ideologies and transform universities into inclusive spaces. This article is based on heterosexual university students’ non-heteronormative perceptions of LGBTIQ+ identities. I argue that there is the potential to dismantle heteronormativity at universities since the heterosexual students in this research are critical of heteronormative ideologies and question stereotypes about sexual minority identities. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 self-identifying heterosexual students, the article established that students’ perceptions of LGBTIQ+ identities were affirming as they resisted traditional norms of sexuality and gender and demonstrated sensitivity to sexual diversity. The paper calls for further research to critically engage heterosexual students in conversations around heteronormativity to advance the acceptance, tolerance, and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ students at South African universities. 2024-03-26T00:00:00Z