Lesbians subjected to "corrective rape" in South Africa

[m42]

Lesbians living in South Africa are being subjected to "corrective rape" and severe violence by men trying to "cure" them of their sexual orientation, human rights groups have said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/4982520/Lesbians-subjected-to-corrective-rape-in-South-Africa.html

[John A Roark]

You know a lot of people are going to try to use something like this as justification that 'blacks can't run the country,' and 'we didn't have such things under Apartheid.'

[kerrin]

Obviously, tragic and outrageous.

I am fascinated by how this came to be part of the culture in SA. It seems some are saying it's a result of white racism in the past; some are saying its "just black culture". Of course, there also seems to be those currently in power, who happen to be black, supporting it; or at least not doing much to stop the violence, which I believe supports it.

Have you any insight as to why this has become more prevalent?

[m42]

Obviously, tragic and outrageous.

I am fascinated by how this came to be part of the culture in SA. It seems some are saying it's a result of white racism in the past; some are saying its "just black culture". Of course, there also seems to be those currently in power, who happen to be black, supporting it; or at least not doing much to stop the violence, which I believe supports it.

Have you any insight as to why this has become more prevalent?

I don't know that it has become more prevalent as much as there may have been a lack of interest (by the media) in reporting it.

One might consider that more lesbians are coming out, but if not lesbians, it's entirely possible such aggression would simply have manifested elsewhere.

Aggression often if not always has a target, no?

[kerrin]

I don't know that it has become more prevalent as much as there may have been a lack of interest (by the media) in reporting it.

One might consider that more lesbians are coming out, but if not lesbians, it's entirely possible such aggression would simply have manifested elsewhere.
Yes, I suppose. In looking into it some more there are opinions (not in the mainstream media) that this has become more prevalent. Hence my question.

Aggression often if not always has a target, no?
Indeed. Aggression, or those bent on aggressive behavior need a target. So you think the fact that lesbians feel more freedom to 'come out' is what brought this about? Not the cultural norms or government (authoritative) influence?

[m42]

So you think the fact that lesbians feel more freedom to 'come out' is what brought this about? Not the cultural norms or government (authoritative) influence?

Again, it may be a byproduct of both. Cultural norms in this area have changed very little, they may simply have more targets now.

[kerrin]

I read the following article today about the aggression in Congo. It reminded me of this thread.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/08/congos-shame-rape-used-as-tool-of-war/?source=newsletter_must-read-stories-today_photo_feature&page=3

[Neksueda73]

This is just an example of thinly-veiled homophobic hate crime. There is nothing "corrective" about rape. If lesbians are being brutally raped and beaten, I dont see how thats supposed to make them straight... I would think it would just make them dislike men even more...

[John A Roark]

Your command of the vocabulary is questionable--'homophobic' indicates a fear of homosexuals... wishful thinking? The suffix you are lookig for is -misial, as in homomisial, but even that is inaccurate, as it denotes the same thing as misanthrope, i.e., a hater of man. 'Malakamisial' might come close to what the supposed meaning is meant to infer, 'malakoi' being a young male prostitute for men.

[Neksueda73]

What I wanna know...after she searched for him how did it go from hello to being raped?