SUMMARY
We have examined the portrayal of homophobia and societal responses in Africa with the use of Tendai Huchu's The Hairdresser of Harare
First, in chapter one, there is a detailed literature review that shows the previous researches that have been made on the subject of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others) in Africa; it is discovered that earlier writers portrayed queerness as a European import and as un-African, while recently, it is being portrayed in a different light as emerging writers are determined to humanize it.
Also, there is detailed historical background on queer theory, which is adopted for this research and it is aptly described as an offshoot of other literary theories, such as deconstruction, gender criticism and queer feminism, etc. The research, as a result, is foregrounded on the queer theory.
Chapters two, three and four are used to examine the primary text. We examine the homophobic themes in The Hairdresser of Harare which includes secrecy and silence in chapter two, hatred and hostility in chapter three, and religious violence in chapter four. Lastly, in chapter five, we give a detailed review of the inconclusive arguments surrounding homosexuality and homophobia in Africa. After which, it features findings and recommendations which seek to integrate tolerance for queer individuals in the society and finally, a conclusion.
