They Called Me Queer is a collection written by Africans who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+).

Across the continent, and throughout the world, South Africa has become known for its tolerance towards us, the LGBTQIA+ community.

However, even if being who we are is legal, we live in a devastatingly segregated and unequal society, where the combination of race, class, gender and sexual identities still heavily impacts every part of our lives. This collection of stories is a testimony to who we are. It is an assertion of our struggles, but also our triumphs, our joys.

These are our stories of acceptance and rejection, of young love and old lovers, of the agonising thrills of coming out and coming into ourselves, of our sex lives, of our families and communities.

Writing by Haji Mohamed Dawjee, Lwando Scott, Ling Sheperd, Maneo Mohale, Chase Rhys, Wanelisa Xaba, Jamil F Khan, Khanya Kemami, Janine Adams, Craig Lucas and others.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kim is a Human Rights Defender, graduate from UCT, South Africa, co-founder and Advocacy Officer of FemmeProjects, an organisation that focuses on Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights. In 2018 they were part of the first cohort of fellows for the Outright Action International's UN-programme.

Kelly-Eve Koopman is a storyteller and activist. With her partner Sarah Summers she has developed the webseries, Coloured Mentality. She is a delegate on the Atlantic Fellowship for Racial Equity and co-director and one third of Femmeprojects, an organisation focused on intersectional approaches to Sexual And Reproductive Health Education.

They Called Me Queer is published by NB Publishers