is cross-dressing “un-African”?
Jessie Kabwira Kapasula Introduction In Malawi, the year 2005 saw a significant increase in public media debates on issues such as homosexuality, cross-dressing and transvestitism. The media – print and radio especially, for television is a relatively new form and not widely available – treats these three issues differently. Homosexuality is the most hotly debated, with debate focusing on its “morality”. Opposition to homosexuality is usually couched in terms of religion and culture. Transvestitism is rarely discussed, while cross-dressing,[1] interestingly enough, is seldom linked to homosexuality or transvestitism. The representation of transvestitism and cross-dressing in the Malawian media suggests that the former does not exist in Malawi, while the latter is present and acceptable as a form of entertainment. Examples of cross-dressing as entertainment that receive media coverage are those seen in traditional dances and in commercial music culture. For instance, Television Malawi (
