Same-sex relationships are legal in South Africa and protected by the constitution. Unfair discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is against the law. But in practice, many cultures don’t necessarily see this as a right.
Traditional Zulu culture, for example, perceives same-sex relationships and sexual intercourse as taboo and unAfrican. Statements like “real men are not gay” indicate some people’s ideas about masculinity and sexuality. These cultural norms have profoundly negative effects on Zulu men who have sex with men.
This abuse often triggers depression, suicide and drug abuse . As a public health specialist with an interest in marginalised groups, I conducted research looking into the role Zulu culture plays in discouraging men who have sex with men from accessing healthcare. Stigma rooted in cultural beliefs was rife and many of the men we interviewed were too afraid to go to a health clinic.
This research is a tool for policymakers to use to ensure better healthcare for marginalised communities. How we went about our study In South Africa, men who have sex with men are categorised as a key population , a vulnerable group more likely to get sexually transmitted infections, due to their socio-economic isolation. Our study participants were living in Umlazi, an urban area of least 400,000 inhabitants in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The province is the home of the Zulu monarchy and the majority of Zulu people – the largest ethnic group in South Afr.