Melanie Judge is a queer and feminist activist, author and scholar. She holds a PhD in Women’s and Gender Studies and an MA  in Development Studies (cum laude) from the University of the Western, and an Honours (first class) in Psychology from the University of Cape Town. Melanie is author of Blackwashing Homophobia: Violence and the Politics of Sexuality, Gender and Race (Routledge, 2018), lead editor of To Have and To Hold: The Making of Same-sex Marriage in South Africa (Fanele, 2008), and co-editor, with Dee Smythe, of Unsettling Apologies: Critical Writings on Apology from South Africa (Bristol University Press, 2022). She has published widely on sexual and gender rights and politics in Africa in both academic publications and the media. Melanie has held leadership positions at several LGBTI organisations and played a key role in the marriage equality campaign in South Africa. Melanie is a 2024 recipient of the Franco-German International Award for Human Rights and Rule of Law, and in 2016 received the Psychology and Social Change Award from Rhodes University. Melanie is Senior Policy Advisor on LGBTI inclusion in Africa at the United Nations Development Programme. She consults to international and national NGOs and donors on strategy, research and advocacy for rights and justice.

Recent publications:

• Judge, M. (2024) 'Backlash and Beyond: Anti-LGBTQ Lawmaking and Existential Panic in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda', Countering Backlash Working Paper 4, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies.
• Judge M., Kiguwa, P., Tabengwa M., & and Matthyse L. (2023) ‘Queering Democracy: LGBTQI+ Struggles in Africa – A Conversation Bridging Scholarship and Activism’. In The D-Word: Perspectives on Democracy in Tumultuous Times (eds) Van der Westhuizen, C., Dube S, & Jolobe, Z., Gqeberha: Mandela University Press.
• Serrano-Amaya JF, Hagen JJ, Ritholtz S, & Judge M. (2023) (eds) Special Issue on Cuir/Queer Peacebuilding. Revista de Estudios Sociales. 83.
• Judge, M. & Smythe D. (2022) ‘The Power of Apology’. In M. Judge & D. Smythe (eds.) Unsettling Apologies: Critical Writings on Apology from South Africa. Bristol University Press and UKZN Press.
• Judge, M. (2021) Queer at 25: A Critical Perspective on Queerness, Politics and Futures, Journal of Asian and African Studies, 56 (1).
• Judge, M. & Smythe D. (2020) ‘Striking Women: The Politics of Gender, Sexuality and the Law in South Africa’. In C. Ashford & A. Maine (eds.) Research Handbook on Gender, Sexuality and Law, London: Edward Elgar.
• Judge, M. (2020) Navigating Paradox: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Activism at the Intersection of Religion and Sexuality. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 76(3).
• Judge, M. & Nel, JA. (2018) Psychology and Hate Speech: A Critical and Restorative Encounter, South African Journal of Psychology, 48(1).
• Williams K. & Judge M. (2018) ‘Happy (N)ever After? Public Interest Litigation for LGBTI Equality’. In J. Brickhill (ed.) Public Interest Law in South Africa, Johannesburg: Juta.
• Judge, M. (2018) ‘Those (Not) able to be Burned’. In J. Watson and A. Gouws (eds) Nasty Women: Feminist Essays on the Global Women’s Marches, Cape Town: Imbali.

Reports

• Müller, A., & Judge, M. (2022) From the Inside Out: Social Exclusion Linked to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics in Eswatini, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Research Report. Out & Proud LGBTI Equality and Rights in Southern Africa.
• Guest editor, (2021) African Feminisms Across Generations, Perspectives in Africa, Issue 1. Heinrich Boell Foundation.
• Judge, M. (2021) Finish This Elephant’: Rural Community Organisations’ Strategic Approaches to Addressing Gender-Based Violence. Social Change Assistance Trust.