Lesbian and Gay in Southern Africa: activists, lovers, and healers. (Feminist Visions).(review of three video recordings)(Video Recording Review)

TINA MACHIDA IN ZIMBABWE (RAINMAKERS, SERIES 2). 26 mins. color. 2000. Dir.: Robbie Hart. Prod.: Robbie Hart & Luc Core, Adobe Productions. Distr.: Bullfrog Films, Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; phone: (800) 543-FROG or (610) 779-8226; fax: (610) 370-1978; website: www.bullfrogfilms.com Rental: $45.00. Sale: $195.00.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT. 30 mins. color. 2000. By Sue Maluwa Bruce, Beate Kunath, & Yvonne Zuckmantel. Distr: Women Make Movies, 462 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; phone: (212) 925-0606; fax: (212) 925-2052; email: info@wmm.com; website: www.wmm.com Rental (VHS): $60.00. Sale (VHS): $195.00. Order #: W02757.

EVERYTHING MUST COME TO LIGHT. 25 mins. color. 2002. By Mpumi Njinge & Paulo Alberton. Prod.: Gay & Lesbian Archives of South Africa; Out in Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Distr.: First Run Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Flr., Brooklyn, NY 11201; phone: (718) 488-8900; email: mailbox@frif.com; website: www.frif.com Rental (video): $60.00. Sale (video): $225.00.

The 1990s witnessed an increase in public discourse about homosexuality in southern Africa. The content and intensity of the conversations differed greatly, however, between adjacent South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Early in the decade, the world saw the end of state apartheid in South Africa and the beginnings of governmental commitment to equality for all individuals in that country. This was most vividly captured in 1996 in the new constitution's Bill of Rights: "The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth." (1) South Africa has since embarked on a sometimes bumpy journey toward getting a fairly conservative population to accept a progressive document. Inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the Bill of Rights was hard-fought by gay and lesbian comrades in the struggle against apartheid who were willing to be open about their …