African Journal of Religious Studies | 20 December 2024
A Scoping Review of Queer Biblical Hermeneutics and LGBTQ+ Lived Religion in Botswana,
L, o, r, a, t, o, S, e, c, h, e, l, e, ,, M, a, s, e, g, o, K, g, o, s, i, ,, T, e, b, o, g, o, M, o, d, i, s, e, ,, K, a, g, i, s, o, T, u, e, l, o
Abstract
Background: A significant research gap exists within the Arts & Humanities regarding queer biblical hermeneutics and the lived religion of LGBTQ+ individuals in Botswana, particularly for the period 2021–2026.
Purpose and objectives: This scoping review aims to map the current scholarly landscape, clarify central theological and social debates, and identify the practical implications for both academic research and community practice in Botswana.
Methodology: A structured scoping review methodology was employed. Relevant academic and grey literature published between 2021 and 2026 was identified and selected, followed by a thematic synthesis of the extracted data.
Findings: The analysis reveals a field characterised by persistent structural and theological constraints faced by LGBTQ+ Batswana. Concurrently, evidence points to emerging localised hermeneutical innovations and community-based support strategies. The available evidence, however, remains uneven across different geographical and denominational contexts.
Conclusion: The review concludes that the intersection of queer identity, biblical interpretation, and religious practice in Botswana is complex and under-researched. It underscores the necessity for context-specific analytical frameworks and more robust empirical foundations in future studies.
Recommendations: Researchers should pursue nuanced, locally grounded ethnographic work. Religious communities and policymakers are encouraged to develop strategies informed by the documented lived realities of LGBTQ+ people of faith, prioritising inclusivity and improved data transparency.
Key words: Queer biblical hermeneutics, LGBTQ+, lived religion, Botswana, Africa, Arts & Humanities, scoping review
Contribution statement: This review provides a foundational synthesis of recent scholarship, clarifying the scope of existing knowledge and key gaps to inform future research and dialogue within Botswana’s religious and academic sectors.