Paper short abstract:

This paper contributes to rethinking international LGBTQ+ politics in Africa. It analyses the relationship between research on different colonial histories involving European imperial-nations, and on current transnational non-governmental and governmental politics, in different African contexts.

Paper long abstract:

This paper contributes to rethinking international dimensions of LGBTQ+ politics in Africa. The discussion will focus on the relationship between (1) increasing research on the different colonial histories of European imperial-nations as they related to sexualities and genders, and (2) increasing research on contemporary transnational non-governmental and governmental politics related to LGBTQ+ politics, practiced from different states that have been associated with Eurocentrism. The paper will draw from reflections on existing literatures including the author's previous works, and will also draw on research from the forthcoming book Colonialisms and Queer Politics: Sexualities, Genders and Unsettling Colonialities (co-edited by Sonia Corrêa, Gustavo Gomes da Costa Santos and Matthew Waites; to be published by Oxford University Press) in which authors analyse multiple empires associated with Eurocentrism, while also seeking to examine contemporary colonialities and legacies of relevance for sexuality and gender politics. Global historical sociology engaged with decolonial approaches can help inform understanding of the different social contexts in which transboundary engagements are taking place. How should an appreciation of different colonial histories - for example British, French, Portuguese - inform contemporary LGBTQ+ politics practiced in specific societal or transnational contexts, and inform research on such contemporary political activity?