"Truly unique and fascinating ... <i>Desire Work</i> sheds new light on Africa. . . . Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, and professionals." - W. Arens (Choice) "<i>Desire Work</i> 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) "<i>Desire Work</i> 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 <i>Desire Work</i> 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) “<i>Desire Work</i> 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…. <i>Desire Work</i> 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)

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.
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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
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781478000648
Publisert
2018-08-10
Utgiver
Duke University Press
Vekt
431 gr
Høyde
229 mm
Bredde
152 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
216

Forfatter

Biografisk notat

Melissa Hackman is an independent scholar who has taught at Brown University and Emory University.