They Called Me Queer

by Kim Windvogel

'They Called Me Queer' is a collection written by Africans who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+). Across the continent, and throughout the world, South Africa has become known for its tolerance towards us, the LGBTQIA+ community. However, even if being who we are is legal, we live in a devastatingly segregated and unequal society, where the combo of race, class, gender and sexual identities still heavily impacts every part of our daily lives. This collection of stories is a testimony to who we are. It is an assertion of our struggles, but also our triumphs, our joys. These are our stories of acceptance and rejection, of young love and old lovers, of the agonising thrills of coming out and coming into ourselves, of our sex lives, of our families and communities.

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction, Anthologies, Queer, Memoir, Africa

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2019

Reviews

[Pretty_x_bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved ‘Free, So Furiously’, which is in the form of a conversation between Neo and Maneo.

They share some of their experiences of coming out and discuss what it means to come out and whether it is something queer people should have to do. Neo says something that really resonated with me…..they say, “It should not be qualified as ‘coming out’, but rather as ‘coming home’ - to yourself…”. They speak about how the process of articulating your gender and or sexual identity is as much for you as for other people - even more for you in fact. This is echoed in ‘Coming Out: A Series of Strange Events’ by Tiffany Kagure Mugo. I like that alot, the idea that coming out is a process wh

Neo and Maneo also touched on something I have never really thought about - and that’s the centrality of language in the process of articulating queerness. How do you articulate being non-binary to your Xhosa grandfather in a way that is familiar to him? It’s hard because the dominant language of Queerness in 2020 is largely rooted in Western conceptualisations - which Is reflected in the language we use. That barrier - combined with the loss of knowledge systems that - acts as a further challenge for people wanting to come out in non-Western, non-English contexts.

🏳️‍🌈

Some of my other favorites pieces from the collection:

•Harnessing The Power of Queerness by Lwando Scott
•Questions Asked by Sandrine Mpazayabo
•Coming Out: A Series of Strange Events by Tiffany Kagure Mugo
•Of Names and ‘The Blood That Falls’ by Carl Collison

[Mbali (flowahh_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compilation is filled with thoughts, stories and poetry written by Africans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and (LGBTQIA+) as a way of rejecting the idea of a single queer experience. The book covers a wide array of topics from intersectionality, heteronormativity, violence, the legalization of sex work to chapters about love, intimacy, and joy.

I still haven’t figured out how to properly review non-fiction but I would like to point out some of my favourite essays (and there were quite a few).

•Free, So Furiously by Maneo Mohale and Neo Baepi. There’s just something about conversations that I enjoy so much, they serve as a not-so-difficult way to learn and explore ideas.

•Blue Tea and The Beast by Chase Rhys an incredibly written short story covering abuse and suicide.

•Breaking Down the Walls: Colonial Legacies, Home and Heteronormativity by Jamil F Khan who documents his experiences in the homes he has lived in and highlights how heteronormativity even affects queer homes.

Do I recommend this book? Definitely! I know non-fiction can be a bit intimidating but this book is easy to follow and would be a lovely introduction to the South African queer experience.

[Tris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say. Maybe one day, I will be able to do a coherent and intelligible review of this amazing compilation of essays, some were okay, others knocked it out of the park, but I'm mostly just in awe of the existence of this book, the relevance, the importance, the diversity, giving a voice to those whose voices have been silenced by a White, heteronormative, cis-gendered, male society! Please read this book, Read it NOW!! I cannot emphasize this enough!
I laughed, I cried, I learned and even related to some of these essays, a phenomenal collection indeed!

Huge thanks to NB Publishers and Kwela Books for sending me a copy of this book!

[Zintle Mtsheke · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be black, young and queer is the most amazing experience, but it is also scary sometimes. So, when I first heard about, They Called Me Queer, I knew it was a book I wanted to own. The book is made up stories by queer individuals, some are love stories, heart breaks and some are just childhood stories.
The writers were able to incorporate what it means to be queer to them while living their lives just like everyone. The stories do not necessarily give the typical content one would expect at a mention of queerness. In this book, you cringe, get angry, get hurt, you cry, and you fall in love and giggle alone, you want to read the book to your lover and with your lover.
This is a book of possibilities of being a queer person, being a person of colour and a lot of other factors to one’s identity. Not every queer story is like the other, this book shows individuality and diversity that exits within the LQBTQIA+ community and how every experience is worthy. In as much as the stories cover different topics, they are all saying, ‘’We are here, and we are very much worthy to be’’. As a young queer black woman in South Africa, I have been yearning for storytelling that will mention childhood stories that have queerness in it involved. I have been yearning for stories that go beyond coming out stories and this is what this book gave me.
They Called Me Queer has trigger warnings and it is aware of people’s preferred pronouns. I have come to believe that trigger warnings are so important because they give me an option to choose to read later or never read until I am ready. I like the normalizing culture of trigger warnings that was done in the book, it shows a level of sensitivity and awareness. Even though I would dive into a story and come out angry and hurt, I still loved that I had been warned.
I love possibility stories such as Nicole Adele Adams being a Christian, being queer and being a sex worker. I was also drawn to how Noluvuyo Zaza is a proud lesbian, a sex worker and how she has navigated that space. The stories tell of experiences without making queerness as if it is a topic to be discussed in isolation. The book made me feel seen, it made me wish for queer stories for queer children so that they can grow up knowing that they can exist in this world too.
They Called Me Queer is not a book that teaches you how to treat queer individuals and it does not tell queer individuals how to live their lives, but it involves you in lives of amazing individuals. Every story in this book is valid and important and that’s just it.

[Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is impressive, the plurality of voices reminds us that queerness is not monolithic. The collection through Lwando’s piece reminds us that there is power in our queerness and that we constantly need to harness that power. Haji’s piece reminds us that queerness is a constant state of being. Craig and Sandrine’s pieces allow us compulsive heterosexuality as a script is a dangerous place to be in.

In Sandrine as well as @JamilFarouk offerings explores notions of belonging in the home and self. Jamil further allows us to think about colonialism and heterosexuality in our we navigate belong. In essence, it challenges to think about how oppressive hinders of liberation.
Z Kim allows us to grapple with being poly in a myriad type of relationships.

Qondiswa's piece using radical softness as a weapon for liberation. Dr Hames allows us for a moment to dwell in the possibility of knowing each other via correspondence, a throwback to some form of letter writing. Khanya’s piece shares a vulnerable story about becoming and reclaiming.
Kelly Smith reminds us about the uses of erotic in their piece Stripped.

It appears to me that this collection may be for everyone, for those who want to learn more, for those who want to feel seen, for those who want to acquire language. For those who want to create new ways of being, of queer, of freedom.

It is a queer gathering. A beginning of a queer revolution.

[Charlotte Luzuka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy essays as it allows one to experience different perspectives from the collection of people grouped into a community. Their experiences, memories and moments are woven into a tapestry that celebrates their similarities and differences.

This collection shared some painful and even traumatic experiences. These intimate moments revealed to the hetero reader evoking introspection into the role we play directly / indirectly in this continued affliction.

[Anwen Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 perfect book, no notes. An absolutely fascinating, beautiful, infuriating collection of narratives about being queer in South Africa. I loved both the plurality and the focus of this one; it's very rare to hear these stories in the UK, and the fact that even within this small book there exists such a vast wealth of different experiences makes me hopeful that more literature like this will be forthcoming.

[rukshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The South African queer experience is multi-faceted, it is vast and diverse, it is to be beyond the confines of 'normality'. This collection of essays proves this very point, as different South African queer writers come together to share their words, their language, their art, their life. Reading it as a queer individual who lives in South Africa, these stories allowed me to feel seen in some way or another. If it made me feel seen in some way, imagine the impact it will have on others, especially those who identify as queer. The mere fact that I was reprimanded by my mother for reading a book of the 'queer' genre is an indication that we need more books like this to be written, published, read, and shared. We need to expand the many meanings that queerness embodies in the South African context, and a book like this is a radical step in the right direction. My favourite pieces include essays by Lwando Scott, Jamil F Khan, Craig Lucas, Khanya Kemami, Sandrine Mpazayabo and Kelly Smith.

[yenni m · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essays, letters, poems, pieces written by black qtpoc folk filled with trauma, live, shame, pride. I loved that it ranged from a short poem to intellectual gender self analysis. I especially liked Koopman's Trans-Afro-Futurism considering what transness may look like in the future.
Trans: the prefix meaning 'across', 'beyond', 'through' or 'changing thoroughly'.
To poly or not to poly? Seems a common question these days.
Radical softness as a weapon for liberation - 'I want to be this radically soft. Radical and soft. Sad and brave. Soft oozing wound, healing.'
Different languages interspersed is something I like to experience. Love letters always appreciated.

[Niamh Walsh-Vorster · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important collection of essays that is available in the mainstream. It was difficult to read some of the traumatic stories, illustrating the violence against queer bodies in Africa. But there was also a great number of stories that are celebratory and insightful. I especially enjoyed Lwando Scott’s essay ‘Harnessing the Power of the Queerness’, ‘Questions Asked’ by Sandrine Mpazayabo and Jamil F Khan’s contribution.

[Eliana Nzualo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of the best - if not the best - book I've read this year. I loved this collection of stories from the continent, mostly South Africa, of queer experiences. There were different perspectives and enough emotion to really capture the complexities of queer lives: from coming out stories, to simply laying in bed next to your significant other, to navigating polyamory, etc.. I loved all of it.

[Chegofatso Modika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so amazing and it was the first book I read that really touched me. Well written !!! For queer people by queer people.

[Between2_worlds · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To be queer is to inhabit a forever open state of being, in other words, gender and sexuality are not static entities but are constantly moving."

My fifth review from my stack of Pride🏳️‍🌈 is They Called Me Queer a collection of writings compiled by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman. The collection is for and by Africans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual.

This is undoubtedly one of the best collection of writings that I've read this year. And it's mainly due to the attention to detail that went into bringing this collection to life.

Firstly, the cover. It is stunning & quite grabbing. The image is of Piper Laurie, " a well-known character from District Six. A talented dancer and hairdresser who traveled around southern Africa but was mostly based in District Six. Laurie was part of the queer community that was highly visible and integrated into the broader community, representing an important part of the social fabric and culture of District Six."

I know right? This is the ultimate" I am my ancestor's wildest dream" flex.

Secondly , the reinvention of a non-fiction collection. I was pleasantly surprised to find poetry, short stories, electronic love letters, investigative reports and interview transcripts. I saw this as a metaphor of queer lives. How fluid and every changing they are. Always moving, never static.

And lastly, the trigger warnings. I hadn't realized how much I needed that until this collection. For someone to say this particular writing has something that might trigger a trauma you might have experienced so please prepare yourself and proceed with caution. I'll forever be grateful for that level of sensitivity.

This is an unapologetic collection, a blending of different voices, that is a lens into the lives of Queer people. It tackles everything from love, teenage angst, self-acceptance, relationships, homophobia, toxic masculinity and so much more.

My fave writing was Getting To Know Each Other by Dr Mary Hames.

What was yours?

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, was a difficult book to read. The stories brought home my feelings of rejection and triggered a lot of trauma I now realise I haven’t faced. I could have finished it in a day, they were so captivating. But my heart couldn’t handle more than 2-3 a day. A must read for any queer/non-queer identifying person. But a trigger warning is needed for the entire book, not only selective writings. Self hate, family rejection and religious ostracising are triggers too.

[Gershwin Wanneburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the unique perspectives shared in this collection: transgender sex workers, migrants, people living on the margins of South African society, even in the queer community.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never know how to rate collections like this because everything is written by different people I feel very differently about each peace
3.5⭐️