Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports
This study examines the phenomenon of violence towards gay men in South Africa, focusing on its portrayal and understanding within online media. Using a qualitative approach, it explores how online reports construct, interpret, and contest narratives surrounding these attacks. The investigation aims...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sociology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1539410/full |
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| author | Marchant Van Der Schyff |
| author_facet | Marchant Van Der Schyff |
| author_sort | Marchant Van Der Schyff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the phenomenon of violence towards gay men in South Africa, focusing on its portrayal and understanding within online media. Using a qualitative approach, it explores how online reports construct, interpret, and contest narratives surrounding these attacks. The investigation aims to highlight the portrayal of the victimology of gay men and the societal dynamics, including gender-based violence, abduction, victimisation, and queercide, in the South African context. The research analysed online reports, between 2022 and 2024, by a community organisation on cases of violence perpetrated against gay men. The research found that media frames about the circumstances of violence, the role of social media or hookup apps, and demographic details of gay men can provide insights into their victimhood. This contributes to the understanding of the challenges gay men face in navigating their identities and safety in South Africa. The findings show that Gauteng, Cape Town, and Durban remain the most affected by attacks against gay men and provide more insight into the strata of the age of victims, their movement, and the nature of attacks. By identifying how online community media frames these cases, the study offers insights into the emergence of gangsterism and the use of mobile technologies to target these men. It can inform strategies for social change and foster inclusive environments for marginalised communities. The findings have implications for advocacy, policy making, and community empowerment efforts addressing queercide and promoting LGBTIQ+ rights and safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc6c482624614c3baaee38440c355d53 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2297-7775 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sociology |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc6c482624614c3baaee38440c355d532025-08-20T03:12:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-02-011010.3389/fsoc.2025.15394101539410Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reportsMarchant Van Der SchyffThis study examines the phenomenon of violence towards gay men in South Africa, focusing on its portrayal and understanding within online media. Using a qualitative approach, it explores how online reports construct, interpret, and contest narratives surrounding these attacks. The investigation aims to highlight the portrayal of the victimology of gay men and the societal dynamics, including gender-based violence, abduction, victimisation, and queercide, in the South African context. The research analysed online reports, between 2022 and 2024, by a community organisation on cases of violence perpetrated against gay men. The research found that media frames about the circumstances of violence, the role of social media or hookup apps, and demographic details of gay men can provide insights into their victimhood. This contributes to the understanding of the challenges gay men face in navigating their identities and safety in South Africa. The findings show that Gauteng, Cape Town, and Durban remain the most affected by attacks against gay men and provide more insight into the strata of the age of victims, their movement, and the nature of attacks. By identifying how online community media frames these cases, the study offers insights into the emergence of gangsterism and the use of mobile technologies to target these men. It can inform strategies for social change and foster inclusive environments for marginalised communities. The findings have implications for advocacy, policy making, and community empowerment efforts addressing queercide and promoting LGBTIQ+ rights and safety.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1539410/fullgay mengender-based violenceframingonline news mediaqueercideGrindr |
| spellingShingle | Marchant Van Der Schyff Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports Frontiers in Sociology gay men gender-based violence framing online news media queercide Grindr |
| title | Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports |
| title_full | Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports |
| title_fullStr | Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports |
| title_short | Vulnerability and threat: describing gay male victimologies in South Africa by analysing online community reports |
| title_sort | vulnerability and threat describing gay male victimologies in south africa by analysing online community reports |
| topic | gay men gender-based violence framing online news media queercide Grindr |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1539410/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marchantvanderschyff vulnerabilityandthreatdescribinggaymalevictimologiesinsouthafricabyanalysingonlinecommunityreports |