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Kuchu activism, queer sex-work and “lavender marriages,” in Uganda’s virtual LGBT safe(r) spaces

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  • Austin Bryan

Abstract

This article builds on Michael Warner’s theory of “damaged publicness” to examine virtual queer counterpublics in Uganda. Online spaces have become a viable platform for LGBT Ugandans, locally known as kuchus, to network, organize and gain visibility. Gay “hook-up” apps, like Grindr, Scruff, and online chatrooms such as Planet Romeo provide opportunities for users to express what often cannot be expressed in public. I investigate these virtual LGBT counterpublics ethnographically through fieldwork in Kampala from June 2015 to June 2016. I argue that Uganda’s virtual queer spaces, however “private” or “public” are counterpublics, a form of space ownership bringing legitimacy to the being of “deviant” and utilized to meet specific social, cultural and economic needs.

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  • Austin Bryan, 2019. "Kuchu activism, queer sex-work and “lavender marriages,” in Uganda’s virtual LGBT safe(r) spaces," Journal of Eastern African Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 90-105, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjeaxx:v:13:y:2019:i:1:p:90-105
    DOI: 10.1080/17531055.2018.1547258
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