This research endeavoured to uncover the intricate psychosocial experiences of Black
African cisgender lesbian women in South African townships. In addition to the challenges
associated with their sexual orientation, these women navigate intersecting issues of race,
gender, and socio-economic disenfranchisement. Their diverse challenges encompass sexual
and gender-based violence, unemployment, poverty, lack of safety, and insecurity, which are
compounded by the constraints of rigid hetero-cisnormative communities. This study
explored the strategies employed by the participants to resist stigma, assert their identities,
and foster resilience amid these adversities. Drawing on social constructionism, ecosystemic
theory, Crenshaw's theory of intersectionality, this qualitative study used a narrative research
approach to centre the participants' lived experiences. Targeting Black African cisgender
lesbian women, the study employed purposive sampling to recruit eight participants, aged 24
to 40, from five townships in Gauteng, South Africa. Narrative semi-structured interviews
facilitated a rich exploration of their personal stories, while hermeneutic data analysis
provided an interpretive framework to examine the contextual and emotional complexities of
their narratives. The findings illuminated the participants' resilience and agency, the complex
interplay of vulnerability and systemic oppression, and the strategies employed to navigate
these challenges. Key themes that emerged included identity and self-concept, sexuality and
relationships, discrimination and homophobia, and pathways to empowerment, with a focus
on fostering safer, more inclusive environments for Black African cisgender lesbian women
in township communities. The participants emphasised the importance of familial, romantic,
and community support, alongside the need for educational workshops and policy reforms to
dismantle stereotypes and promote inclusivity in healthcare, education, and community
leadership. This study addresses a critical gap in research on Black African cisgender lesbian
women in township contexts and enriches scholarship on same-sex relationships and gender-nonconforming identities in the broader African context. It highlights the need for systemic
reform, targeted education, and advocacy to promote equality, affirming spaces, and social
justice for marginalised identities.