If you are queer and a bookworm, then this one is for you! South Africa celebrates Pride Month in October to honour and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, and what better way to honour South African queer pride than by reading books by queer African writers for queer African individuals. Here are some recommended Pride Month prose:
- Queer Africa 2: New Stories by Makhosazana Xaba and Karen Martin
This anthology features 26 short stories that explore African queer identities in the context of African communities in relation to societal norms and how they contribute to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. This book features writers from all over the African continent, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. - They Called Me Queer by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman
This is a collection of poems, letters, short stories, and essays written by queer South Africans. Similar to Queer Africa 2: New Stories, this shares narratives about the lived realities of South African LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those of colour. This anthology has different forms of writing in it, so if you enjoy poetry more than short stories, it has just the thing for you. - La Bastarda by Trifonia Melibea Obono
This coming-of-age novel by Trifonia Melibea Obono follows an orphaned girl, Okomo, growing up in Equatorial Guinea as she challenges the social restrictions that her village holds for women. In exploring her identity and resisting oppressive expectations placed on her by culture, she falls in love with a girl. - Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
Set in Nigeria during and after the Biafran war, this story follows Ijeoma, a coming-of-age lesbian, in a very restrictive, unaccepting environment where existing as queer is taboo. Due to the severity and pressure of the war, Ijeoma gets sent away to live with family acquaintances. It is during this time that she develops feelings for another girl in a different ethnic group. When her sexuality is compromised, she faces judgement from her mother who tries to suppress her identity by baptising her with biblical teachings. - Fairytales for Lost Children by Diriye Osman
This collection of short stories is centred around queer people of Somali origin with intersecting identity pressures from sexuality, religion, culture, and diaspora. Most of the stories in this book speak about the effect of familial and societal rejection on queer individuals. - Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
This story follows three Nigerian women and focuses on the impact of the characters’ childhoods on their adult lives. Although this novel is centred around family trauma, it includes queer themes. One of the characters, Taiye, navigates her sexual identity through romantic relationships with women. Her queerness ends up being a safe space for her to express her true self while battling with the fear of rejection from a family that is already fractured. - These Letters End In Tears by Musih Tedji Xaviere
Set in Cameroon, this novel by Xaviere tells a story about the staying power of queer love and the struggles faced by queer people in repressive environments, such as countries where same-sex relationships are criminalised. The novel follows the relationship between two women, Bessem and Fatima, from different religious groups (Christianity and Islam) in a society that frowns upon their love. These two lovers end up being separated after their arrest, but their love lives on as Bessem continuously writes letters directed to Fatima. - God’s Children are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
Similar to These Letters End In Tears, this novel explores the hardships and complexities of same-sex relationships in environments where this union is criminalised. This book features nine short stories that shed a light on the identity and struggles of queer people in Nigeria. - Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma by Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde
This memoir explores Nkabinde’s journey to becoming an African traditional healer as a lesbian. Central to the memoir is the intersection of their sexual identity and ancestral calling. Through this memoir, Nkabinde shares the acceptance that they got from their ancestors, which is contrary to the popular belief that queerness is irreconcilable with African traditions and spirituality. - Traveling While Black and Lesbian by Khanyisa Mnyaka
This memoir follows the journey of a black, lesbian, South African woman as she takes on the globe. Each of her travels and encounters bring to light the many good and bad experiences that queer people of colour come across when abroad.
Stories that narrate the joys and triumphs of African queer identities are often overlooked in mainstream literature. It is important to know that there are queer African voices telling these stories. Have a good read!
