Big Brother Titans' is here but queer representation is notBig Brother Titans should be used as a force for good and not a vehicle to reinforce harmful stereotypes that exclude other people.
by Luh Tsele
25-01-2023 12:41
in Entertainment
Promotional poster of Big Brother Titans featuring hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Lawrence Maleka. Image: @BigBroAfrica / Twitter
South Africans and Nigerians love the social experiment that is big brother, so it came as no surprise when the powers that be gave us Big Brother Titans. What is difficult to comprehend is the lack of LGBTIQ representation in one of the biggest reality shows in Africa.
--
Big Brother Mzansi and representation When Mzansi ushered in their seasons of big brother they seldom turned their back on the queer community, and this is evident in their casting of Mzamo (Big Brother Mzansi - Secrets) and the daring Sis' Tamara (Big Brother Mzansi - Beke le Beke).
Having a single LGBTIQ individual in the house is not enough, but having no one at all to represent this already marginalized community is concerning.
BBNaija and its blatant lack of representation It is not shocking that the Nigerian franchise of Big Brother has never had a queer representative in the house because to this day homosexuality is still frowned upon heavily in that part of Africa.
--
Even if a queer person has been there before, they were probably hiding in plain sight because of the fear of being ostracised from society or worse, jailed or killed.
BBNaija has always walked the path of keeping the majority of Nigerians comfortable.
Homosexuality is not just frowned upon in Nigeria it is punishable by law, that's why they wouldn't embrace queer representation, and having queer individuals on the show would most probably kill their ratings said Journalist, Broadcaster, and LGBTIQ activist Ditshego Ditshego.
ALSO READ: Beyonc accused of LGBTIQ hypocrisy over Dubai performance
--
BBTitans taking several steps backward And please don't get me wrong because even with the constitution of South Africa protecting LGBTIQ rights, homophobia is still a thing. If you were on Twitter during Sis Tamara's turn in big brother's house, you would have had a glimpse of this reality.
With that being said, this amazing platform should be a space that embraces all Africans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A show as prolific as BBTitans should be used as a force for good and not a vehicle to reinforce harmful stereotypes that exclude other people.
A lot of queer people are saying they submitted good quality videos for the initial audition, but didn't even get to the next round, and they believe they were overlooked because they are visibly queer said Ditshego.
DSTV should have taken this as an opportunity to teach the African continent about love and acceptance, instead, they seemingly bowed down to the legislation of Nigeria. The Big Brother Titans is a great concept, one that could have amplified the voices and visibility of queer individuals in Africa, but unfortunately, the moment was not seized.
ALSO READ: Ntsiki Mazwai: Trans women to stop calling themselves women
How much of a rugby fanatic are you? FIVE easy answers could win you a signed jersey! ENTER HERE
Africa Stories
10/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
08/04/2025
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vincent Blennies as Chief Exec...
04/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to submit character designs inspired by lead characters from any South Afric...
14/03/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/03/2025
Antis pticos Orales: Revisi n De La Literatura Y Perspectiva Actual Influenza son contradictorios, dadas las elevadas tasas de curaci n espont nea. De ser neces...
28/02/2025
The Future of Green Energy: Challenges and Prospects Green energy, also known as renewable energy, has emerged as a critical solution to global energy challenge...
27/02/2025
Beginner Coding in Python: Building the Simplest AI Chat Companion Possible
AI-powered Personal VoiceBot for Language Learning by Gamze Zorlubas
You can ear...
24/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is calling for applications from South African film and television filmmakers to be part of the NFVF's delegat...
06/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the cl...
30/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites emerging female producers ...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites current masters students t...
30/10/2024
Johannesburg, 26 October 2024 - The 18th Annual South African Film and Televisio...
30/10/2024
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DOCUMENTARY
!Aitsa
Practitioner: Simon Kohler
Production House: MED CINE
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING DOCUMENTARY
Rise: The Si...
24/10/2024
In accordance with Section 6 (2) (c) of the National Film and Video Foundation A...
19/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites postgraduate students to s...
15/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
11/10/2024
10 October 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Found...
09/10/2024
Sportel stand number: Ravel Hall G06/07 After a summer filled with intense sport emotions in Paris, France and beyond, Globecast will be happy to welcome you...
04/10/2024
SAFTAs 18 Announces Date and Theme: Honouring Excellence in South African Film and Television with the theme Back to Basics . Johannesburg, South Africa Wedn...
04/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa Wednesday, 2 October 2024 The South African Film ...
01/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa - Monday, 30 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (...
24/09/2024
Every little girl out there who has felt different because they are not what soc...
09/09/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
06/09/2024
Johannesburg, 05 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF),...
09/08/2024
Johannesburg, 8 August 2024 - It is with profound sadness that the National Film...
01/08/2024
Globecast to Showcase the Broadcast Industry's Most Advanced Connectivity and Hybrid Cloud Solutions at IBC 2024
PARIS, 1 August 2024 Globecast, the lead...
16/07/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
13/07/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/07/2024
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that is created...
02/07/2024
Arabsat, ASBU and Globecast are commemorating 20 years with a renewed multi-year deal for Global Arabic Bouquet (GAB) services, providing a wide range of DTH di...
11/06/2024
Tuesday 11 June 2024, Johannesburg. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF...
31/05/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the custodians of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), has learned of the allegations of ill-tr...
22/05/2024
Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estateA judge in Tennessee has temporarily halted a foreclosure sale of Graceland, the historic home of El...
22/05/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 22 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
22/05/2024
Tonight's Scandal: Jojo draws a line in the sand and Phaka must make a decis...
22/05/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: A costly request from Adani and Keletso, breaking the...
22/05/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Dikeledi's death at the hands of Mthetho leave...
22/05/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 21 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soap...
22/05/2024
Shaka ILembe': Mzansi Magic denies food poisoning incident, confirms deathMzansi Magic has responded following reports that two Shaka ILembe' season tw...
22/05/2024
Bridgerton's third season sizzles with record-breaking viewership Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 1 shattered records with a staggering 45.1 million views wit...
22/05/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: The Maputlas find out about Ntswaki's liesDon't miss Wednesday, 22 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam ...
21/05/2024
WATCH: Tonight's Scandal teaser - 21 May 2024Don't miss Tuesday, 21 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DStv channel ...
21/05/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Sthoko and Babeile's reunion puzzles and shatters the...
21/05/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka is forced to lie after Mampho catches him prepar...
21/05/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 20 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...
Big Brother Titans' is here but queer representation is notBig Brother Titans should be used as a force for good and not a vehicle to reinforce harmful stereotypes that exclude other people.
