Desire Work
Ex-Gay and Pentecostal Masculinity in South Africa
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Publisher: Duke University Press
ISBN: 9781478000822
Number of Pages: 216
Published: 10/08/2018
Width: 15.2 cm
Height: 22.9 cm
In postapartheid Cape Town-Africa's gay capital-many Pentecostal men turned to "ex-gay" ministries in hopes of “curing” their homosexuality in order to conform to conservative Christian values and African social norms. In Desire Work Melissa Hackman traces the experiences of predominantly white ex-gay men as they attempt to forge a heterosexual masculinity and enter into heterosexual marriage through emotional, bodily, and religious work. These men subjected themselves to daily self-surveillance and followed prescribed behaviors such as changing how they talked and walked. Ex-gay men also saw themselves as participating in the redemption of the nation, because South African society was perceived as suffering from a crisis of masculinity in which the country lacked enough moral heterosexual men. By tying the experience of ex-gay men to the convergence of social movements and public debates surrounding race, violence, religion, and masculinity in South Africa, Hackman offers insights into the construction of personal identities in the context of sexuality and spirituality.
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: Adrian's Desire Work 1
1. Cultural Convergences 39
2. Building Godly Emotional Intimacy 63
3. Becoming Spiritual Warriors: Learning How to Fight Demonic Sexual Desires 87
4. Mastering Romance and Sexual Feelings 115
5. "I Didn't Fall, I'm Free": Leaving Healing Revelation Ministries 139
Afterword 165
Notes 171
References 177
Index 197
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: Adrian's Desire Work 1
1. Cultural Convergences 39
2. Building Godly Emotional Intimacy 63
3. Becoming Spiritual Warriors: Learning How to Fight Demonic Sexual Desires 87
4. Mastering Romance and Sexual Feelings 115
5. "I Didn't Fall, I'm Free": Leaving Healing Revelation Ministries 139
Afterword 165
Notes 171
References 177
Index 197
"Truly unique and fascinating ... Desire Work sheds new light on Africa. . . . Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, and professionals." -- W. Arens * Choice * "Desire Work is a remarkably rich, detailed, and passionate ethnography. . . . As gender studies in Africa continues to grow as a field, this book provides a needed contribution to understanding homosexuality and masculinity among . . . men in the first country in the world whose constitution outlawed homophobic discrimination: South Africa." -- Dianna Bell * Journal of Religion in Africa * "Desire Work is a rich and fascinating ethnographic study worth reading by anyone with an academic interest in gender, sexuality, and self-making in evangelical and Pentecostal Christian circles." -- Adriaan van Klinken * H-Africa, H-Net Reviews * "There is no doubt that Desire Work is an important book, offering the reader glimpses into the wider body of work on the subject. It is written in an accessible, engaging, and compassionate style, and makes a contribution to the field of gender and sexuality studies as well as opening up new avenues for theological exploration." -- Beverley Haddad * Anthropological Forum * "The book presents an honest and refreshing account of the methodological challenges of conducting such research. ... [It] will be useful specifically to those wanting to understand the ex-gay movement and Pentecostalism as well as to those interested in the intersection of sexuality, gender, and nationality." -- Alex Toft * American Journal of Sociology * "Desire Work emerges as a genuine and serious description of the challenges and struggles of South African men who must navigate the overlapping layers of societal, cultural, and religious demands as they seek a pathway that allows for faithful, authentic expression of masculinity and sexuality.... Desire Work is strongly recommended to mental health professionals, pastoral theologians, pastor caregivers and other ministry practitioners as a cautionary tale and guidepost, calling for careful consideration and reflection when engaging in the sacred task of transforming and changing lives." -- Eddie L. Journey * Pneuma *