Reconceiving child theology from a queer theological perspective : for LGBTIQ+ parented families and children
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Sun Media
Abstract
In this chapter, the focus will be on LGBTIQ+ children and LGBTIQ+
parented families from a Christian sexual ethics perspective. The
traditional notion of family is contested by a variety of different
structures of family. The traditional view of family is often equated to a
heteronormative structure in service of patriarchy through procreation.
This family consists of a mother and a father who reproduce children
that defined the family unit. The family became the space where
sexual and gender norms were constructed along societal, religious
and cultural belief systems. In recent years in South Africa, literature
scholars looked critically at the notion of family, especially pertaining
to how the traditional view excludes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans,
Intersex, Queer and other (LGBTIQ+) parented families (cf. Lubbe-De
Beer & Marnell 2013; Morison, Lynch & Reddy 2018). Furthermore,
little research exists of children in LGBTIQ+ families and LGBTIQ+
children in heterosexual family units. In theological discourse, sexual
and gender identities of LGBTIQ+ parented families and LGBTIQ+
children in heterosexual family units are even less studied.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, Child Theology
has emerged as a global movement with the focus of moving children
from the margins to the centre of theological discourse. The focus of
this theological interest is influenced by the theoretical lenses and
methodologies of liberation and feminist theologies. Theologians from
Africa too, contributed to the development of this theological focus
on children. Contributors to this theology are also critical that the
theology thus far has been constructed by adults rather than children.
This criticism highlights that, children do theology, already, from their
own embodied experiences. However, within a hierarchical system
of power, in many cases patriarchy, their theological contribution is
often ignored and denied. Before I outline this chapter further, I want
to acknowledge that as a self-identifying gay man of colour, I am not
a father and neither in a civil union. In this chapter, I theologically
journey with LGBTIQ+ children and LGBTIQ+ parented families as an activist-theologian working in the intersection of sexuality, gender and
faith in mainline churches and higher theological education training
centres in South Africa.
In the following section, the struggles that LGBTIQ+ children
and LGBTIQ+ parented families experience will be discussed from
various literature sources, my own embodied experiences and
the multiple contexts I am exposed to in my work at Inclusive and
Affirming Ministries. Hereafter, Child Theology will be briefly outlined
to see whether theological principles exist that can assist theological
imagination to explore life-affirming theologies for LGBTIQ+ parented
families and LGBTIQ+ children in heterosexual family units. Lastly,
this chapter will examine whether Queer Theology as a liberation
theology can perhaps contribute to the development of Child Theology
that are life-affirming towards LGBTIQ+ parented families and
LGBTIQ+ children in heterosexual family units.
Description
CITATION: Davids, H. R., 2020. Reconceiving child theology from a queer theological perspective : for LGBTIQ+ parented families and children, in Grobbelaar, J. & Jones, C. (eds) 2020. Childhood vulnerabilities in South Africa : some ethical perspectives. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS, doi:10.18820/9781928480952/04.
The original publication is available at https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za
The original publication is available at https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za
Keywords
Children -- South Africa, Children -- Religious aspects, Families -- South Africa, Gay parents -- South Africa
Citation
Davids, H. R., 2020. Reconceiving child theology from a queer theological perspective : for LGBTIQ+ parented families and children, in Grobbelaar, J. & Jones, C. (eds) 2020. Childhood vulnerabilities in South Africa : some ethical perspectives. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS, doi:10.18820/9781928480952/04.