Feminine masculinities, masculine femininities

[Natasha]

Feminine masculinities, masculine femininities

http://athena.mg.co.za/printformat/single/2009-08-31-feminine-masculinities-masculine-femininities
ANTJE SCHUHMANN
8/31/09

Politicians, the public, family and friends have for days been expressing their unconditional support for "golden girl" Caster Semenya -- and this would be fabulous if it were truly unconditional. But is it?

With a surprising disregard for Semenya's nonconforming gender performance -- after all, women in South Africa have been violated simply for wearing pants -- the patriotic support she is receiving is based on clearly reinforcing her sex as female: "She is a woman", "I bathed with her, I know", "She is beautiful", "She is our first lady of sport" and so on.