Men Who Love Other Men in Malawi

This study discusses the phenomenon of men who love other men in Malawi. The aim of the study is to highlight the existence of diverse masculinities in Malawi. It used qualitative research methods: content analysis, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). This study has established three major findings regarding the phenomenon of men who love other men in Malawi: (1) Men who love other men do exist in Malawian society. (2) There is no consensus regarding the perception of the masculinity of a man who loves another man by himself, his family, and the community at large. (3) The prevailing hegemonic masculinity uses homophobia to subordinate and marginalise dissident masculinities. Homophobia in Malawi has created an antagonistic environment for gay men to negotiate daily for their continued existence in society. They are constantly ridiculed and discriminated by society. Worse still, some religious authorities have called for their execution. Therefore, this study argues for the need to probe the masculinity of men who love other men in Malawi. The study has two main implications: (1) an understanding of the various themes that serve as identity markers for men who love other men and (2) the perception that heteronormative culture exerts on gay men in Malawi needs a deconstruction in order to foster a co-existence with other expressions of masculinities.