Username: elsa.usai44@gmail.com
Email: elsa.usai44@gmail.com
Biography:
The Arts of Queerness: Reimagining Activism, Cultural Belonging, and Identity Politics in Postcolonial Kenya
Thank you for your comments and questions, Marie Paul. I would say that digitalization is a double-edged sword in this regard. While it creates spaces for expression, it also enables new forms of social control, such as surveillance, censorship, and the monitoring of activists. In many countries, authorities use digital tools to suppress dissenting voices or target queer individuals, often putting them at risk. However, this has also led activists to develop alternative strategies, like secure platforms, encrypted communications, and “coded” messaging, to avoid detection. This complex relationship means that while digital tools facilitate visibility and community building, they also demand a high level of caution and protective measures from those who use them. Digital communities are often built on values of inclusivity, support, and resistance against oppressive structures, all of which are vital for queer communities. In Kenyan and broader African queer digital spaces, there is a strong emphasis on mutual support, resilience, and storytelling, helping members to feel seen and validated. These communities often prioritize anonymity and security to protect their members, which has become a tradition itself in these digital activist spaces. Finally, digital communities can profoundly impact physical communities by providing resources, emotional support, and information, which often inspire real-world actions. For example, discussions within online queer groups may lead to local meet-ups, workshops, or collaborative projects in physical spaces. Additionally, when online movements gain enough momentum, they can pressure policymakers and encourage public dialogue, eventually influencing societal norms. The strength of these virtual networks has the potential to ripple into visible change within physical communities, especially as digital activism gains public recognition.
Dear Estelia, thank you very much for your work and presentation! I would like to ask you: Are there particular regions or demographics within Tanzania that face more challenges with mobile money, and if so, why? What role does mobile money play in promoting financial and gender inclusion, especially for rural or underserved populations? Best regards,
Estimado Josep Arrandis, muchas gracias por presentar una temática tan relevante y necesaria. Realmente aprecio que, aunque se haya destacado la criminalización y estigmatización de las identidades LGBT en muchas partes del continente africano, también se haya explicitado, paralelamente, la resistencia activa que existe realmente en los tejidos sociales. Por lo tanto, me gustaría preguntar cuáles son las potencialidades de estos espacios digitales a la hora de promover espacios físicos y humanos colectivos y más seguros para las comunidades LGBT. Muchas gracias otra vez y saludos.
Muchas gracias por tu sugerencia y tus preguntas tan relevantes, Estefanía. Sin duda, las tecnologías digitales tienen un enorme potencial para derribar estereotipos y visibilizar historias africanas auténticas y diversas, especialmente aquellas de las comunidades queer en Kenia y en otros países del continente. Las plataformas digitales permiten que voces que históricamente han sido marginalizadas cuenten sus historias de forma directa, sin pasar por los filtros de los medios tradicionales - internos y internacionales - que a menudo perpetúan estereotipos. Para combatir estos prejuicios, es clave fomentar contenido que muestre la realidad compleja y rica de las experiencias africanas desde una perspectiva local, resaltando las particularidades culturales, sociales, y políticas. Los relatos visuales, los cortometrajes, la literatura digital, los espacios de discusión en redes sociales, y el artivismo en su sentido más general - pueden presentar narrativas que rompan con los estigmas y muestren la diversidad de las comunidades queer africanas, desde sus luchas hasta sus celebraciones y formas de resistencia. Respecto a la articulación con instituciones de otros países, sí, creo que sería muy posible y necesario. Colaborar con organizaciones internacionales, dentro y afuera del continente, que ya apoyan causas de derechos humanos y visibilización, podría fortalecer la difusión de estas historias. Esto no sólo amplificaría el impacto del activismo queer, sino que también estas alianzas pueden crear espacios de intercambio cultural y político, donde las experiencias y estrategias de activismo se nutran mutuamente, construyendo redes de apoyo internacional que generen un cambio social sostenible y global.
Thank you for your question, Estelia. Art tools have a profound impact on children’s development as art, in its variety of expressions, offers a universal language for expression, creativity, and healing, helping youths to develop critical skills like problem-solving, empathy, and self-expression. By working with art tools, children can explore their emotions, learn to articulate their thoughts, and build confidence in their unique identities. Additionally, integrating endemic art forms, languages, and cultural symbols in these activities, well recognizable in their sociocultural landscapes, helps children to connect more deeply with their heritage, fostering a sense of pride and belonging, without dismissing diversity. These programs may also intersect with social activism by addressing issues such as gender equality, environmental awareness, and health education in ways that are accessible to young minds. Art can make complex social issues understandable and relatable for children, helping them grow up with a sense of social responsibility and awareness. Ultimately, the connection between art and child development is not only about personal growth but also about empowering the next generation to envision and contribute to a brighter future for their communities.
Thank you so much for this insightful question, Gemma. Digitalization has indeed created new avenues for queer expression and activism, especially in contexts where physical spaces for such expression may be restricted. In Kenya, where queer communities often face systemic and social barriers, digital platforms have provided a relatively safer space to celebrate, express, and advocate. This has been the case for both case studies analyzed in the thesis, where both Kahiu and Mwirichia have harnessed the potential of digitization (Kahiu building an entire project on it and Mwirichia using it to expand the visibility of queer subjectivities across national and African borders), but not only. Another notable instance from Kenya includes the "KumbuKumbu Gay and Lesbian Resource and Archives Center". This platform serves as an accessible, online repository, offering a comprehensive collection of materials that chronicle the history and cultural evolution of the queer movement in Kenya, spanning from the mid-1800s to the present day. This involves transcending temporal and spatial boundaries, as well as actively disseminating and challenging social norms regarding sexuality and discrimination. Moreover, it entails acknowledging the ongoing efforts of African activists who work to preserve the past as a means of advocating for the present and future of queer experiences and relationships. Therefore, there’s definitely potential here for creating cultural and political alliances with queer activists and artists across the continent and above. These alliances could foster a pan-queer solidarity, enabling collectivity, collaboration, mutual support, and shared resources, which can impact the effectiveness of digital activism and artivism.
Thank you for your comments and questions, Marie Paul. I would say that digitalization is a double-edged sword in this regard. While it creates spaces for expression, it also enables new forms of social control, such as surveillance, censorship, and the monitoring of activists. In many countries, authorities use digital tools to suppress dissenting voices or target queer individuals, often putting them at risk. However, this has also led activists to develop alternative strategies, like secure platforms, encrypted communications, and “coded” messaging, to avoid detection. This complex relationship means that while digital tools facilitate visibility and community building, they also demand a high level of caution and protective measures from those who use them. Digital communities are often built on values of inclusivity, support, and resistance against oppressive structures, all of which are vital for queer communities. In Kenyan and broader African queer digital spaces, there is a strong emphasis on mutual support, resilience, and storytelling, helping members to feel seen and validated. These communities often prioritize anonymity and security to protect their members, which has become a tradition itself in these digital activist spaces. Finally, digital communities can profoundly impact physical communities by providing resources, emotional support, and information, which often inspire real-world actions. For example, discussions within online queer groups may lead to local meet-ups, workshops, or collaborative projects in physical spaces. Additionally, when online movements gain enough momentum, they can pressure policymakers and encourage public dialogue, eventually influencing societal norms. The strength of these virtual networks has the potential to ripple into visible change within physical communities, especially as digital activism gains public recognition.