On 24 June 2024, the Centre for Human Rights hosted the Pretoria launch of Prof Marc Epprecht’s book Accidental Queer: and other essays around critical masculinity studies in Southern Africa and Canada (Accidental Queer). The launch was held at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, Hatfield campus.
Accidental Queer is part memoir, part academic reflection, part call to action. It looks back at the phases of Prof Epprecht’s career and interests: his time in Lesotho exploring gender and African women’s history; his engagement with questions of homo/heterosexuality in Africa and a special focus on Zimbabwe; and reflections of the survival of the planet, tourism and what he calls “degrowth”, an antidote to consumerist capitalism. The eight original trans/disciplinary essays are informed by a deep curiosity in, and engagement with, gender/masculinity, homosexuality/queerness, social justice, the role of archives, and the western/northern gaze.
At the launch, Prof Marc Epprecht engaged on the substance of his book with experts in the field of LGBTQI issues, such as Dr Ayo Sogunro, Siya Khumalo and Pierre Brouard. This conversation also evolved into a fuller conversation with the other attendees of the launch. During the exchange, panelists and participants brought their own histories, positionalities and stories into the room, using the book’s themes as a springboard for academic and personal engagements. The book was also a great opportunity to engage with thoughts of purpose, impact and reach of queer rights activists, in a world where there is a relentless push back against the legal inclusion of sexual and gender minorities across the African continent.
A limited number of copies of Accidental Queer is available for sale at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please reach out to David through david.ikpo@up.ac.za
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 5408
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
david.ikpo@up.ac.za
