Un-silencing “Conversion therapies” of LGBTIQ+ people in Africa: Exploring the doctrine of the Trinity towards inclusive families

Queering Ruth and Boaz’s encounter at the threshing floor

Abstract

 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and plus all other (LGBTIQ+)
people often are being “corrected” by families through religious and cultural beliefs
because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics
(SOGIESC) that destabilises stable constructs of heteronormativity. For these belief
systems, LGBTIQ+ people threaten the concept of family and associated values that
inform the so-called social fabric and cohesion of sexuality and gender norms. In
recent years, LGBTIQ+ people, human rights defenders, and academics have shed light
on the practices of “conversion therapies” on the African continent in various forms as
practised by religious and cultural communities. “Conversion therapy” is also called
“reparative therapy” or “gay cure” interchangeably to describe different practices that
are out to change, suppress or dissuade LGBTIQ+ people’s sexual orientations, gender
identities and expressions. This article will use short narrative audio video interviews
conducted by openDemocracy to give voice to survivors of “conversion therapy”
on the African continent. In these videos, survivors speak about the intersectional
reality of family relations, mental health and religion’s impact on their well-being.
Over the last few years, there has been a reappreciation of the doctrine of the Trinity.
Bisexual Latin-American theologian Marcella Althaus-Reid views the Trinity as a
critique of heteronormative binaries. Therefore, this article explores whether Althaus
Reid’s Trinitarian theology offers a counter theological narrative against “conversion
practices” as advocated by families based on religion.