South African Sign Language School of Language, Literature and Media University of the Witwatersrand
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South African Sign Language School of Language, Literature and Media University of the Witwatersrand The Impact of Christian Churches’ Separatist Treatment of Difference on the Intersectional Identities of LGBTIQA+ and d/Deaf communities in Johannesburg Submitted by Jade Jacobs 481546 A Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (by dissertation) Supervisors: Dr. Ruth Morgan Dr. Kelly Gillespie 09 May 2019 Abstract This research explores the manner in which mainstream Christian institutions respond to the embodiment of difference, looking particularly at the difference of d/Deaf identity and LGBTIQA+ identity. It discusses how people who embody these differences respond to the institutional treatment of difference, and the impact that this treatment has on their religious (Christian) identity. It tracks the history of the Church in South Africa, and how alternative churches emerged over time, given the instances of marginalization, oppression and discrimination which occurred in mainstream churches. This research also discusses the history of South Africa’s d/Deaf Community and the importance of d/Deaf Culture and Deafhood in this community, as well as the ongoing struggles and consequent victories of the South African LGBTIQA+ community. By using an ethnographic research method, doing deep hanging out in four research sites around Johannesburg, South Africa, and conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with nine participants, which included d/Deaf and LGBTIQA+ people from various demographics, it was found that people who embody difference tend to experience violence in various forms in church spaces. This included structural violence, physical violence and sexual violence. Lateral violence also occurred where members of a marginalised group reiterated the violence perpetuated by mainstream churches, on fellow marginalised group members. i Acknowledgments To my family for being patient throughout the process To my friends for supporting me and encouraging me To my Best Friends for feeding me when I had no time to eat, getting me through the crying days, and loving me when I was grumpy To the special people who sacrificed their laptops when mine stopped working To You, who was there from the beginning, through the best and worst times, who never doubted, who came through anytime I needed it, right until the very end. To my Person, for being a Star and for being understanding, always To everyone who showed interest in my topic To the ones who thought I couldn’t do it To the Wits SASL Department for the resources and encouragement To my supervisors, Dr. Ruth Morgan & Dr. Kelly Gillespie, for being kind, for knowing when to be harsh, and for sticking through until the end To God, for giving me the strength to keep going when I was at my lowest Thank You. ii Declaration To whom it may concern, I, Jade Jacobs, declare that this dissertation is my own work. I declare that I have not plagiarised any part of this dissertation. It is being submitted for the degree of Master of Arts (by research) in the field of South African Sign Language at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before in part or in full for any degree or examination at this or any other university. ____________________ 09 May 2019 iii Contents Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….i Acknowledgments ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii Declaration ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iii Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… iv List of Appendices ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..vii Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 Research Rationale ............................................................................................................................. 2 Research Question .............................................................................................................................. 3 Research Aims ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: The Impact of Christian Churches’ Response to Difference on the Lives of d/Deaf and/or LGBTIQA+ People .................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5 The Church in South Africa ................................................................................................................. 5 The Church and the Marginalisation of Minority Groups ............................................................... 7 Christian Perspectives on Disability and d/Deaf Identity................................................................ 7 The d/Deaf Church in South Africa ................................................................................................. 9 Christian Perspectives on LGBTIQA+ Identity ............................................................................... 10 The LGBTIQA+ Church in South Africa .......................................................................................... 15 The Development of d/Deaf Studies ................................................................................................. 16 A Brief History of d/Deaf Studies .................................................................................................. 17 d/Deaf Identity and Deafhood ...................................................................................................... 18 Being d/Deaf in South Africa ......................................................................................................... 19 d/Deaf Geographies ...................................................................................................................... 21 LGBTIQA+ Identities in (South) Africa ............................................................................................... 23 LGBTIQA+ is un-African! ................................................................................................................ 23 LGBTQA+ Identity as Inherently African ....................................................................................... 24 Being LGBTIQA+ in South Africa .................................................................................................... 24 Cognitive Dissonance, Identity Conflict, and Conflict Resolution ..................................................... 26 Violence ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Structural and Hegemonic Violence ............................................................................................. 28 Physical Violence ........................................................................................................................... 29 Sexual Violence ............................................................................................................................. 30 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 3: The Ever-Evolving, Feet-Finding, Comfort-Creating Methodology ..................................... 32 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 32 Ethnography ...................................................................................................................................... 34 Site Selection ................................................................................................................................. 35 Participant Selection ..................................................................................................................... 37 iv Participant Observation ................................................................................................................ 38 Semi-structured in-depth interview ............................................................................................. 38 Discussion of the Sites ...................................................................................................................... 40 Highest Praise and Worship, Soweto ............................................................................................ 40 New Life Church 1, Rosebank ....................................................................................................... 42 New Life Church 2, Lombardy East ............................................................................................... 43 Christ Church, East Rand ............................................................................................................... 44 eDeaf, Braamfontein ..................................................................................................................... 45 Filming of Interview & Translation of Data ....................................................................................... 46 Highest Praise and Worship .........................................................................................................