Considering same-sex parenting: A qualitative study with Portuguese childless young adults

Abstract

The present period is characterized by important social and legal changes with potential repercussions in the lives of lesbian and gay people. This study aimed to identify perceptions of Portuguese childless young adults regarding the possible parenthood project. Interviews were conducted with seven people who self-identified as lesbian, gay and bisexual and who volunteered to participate in the study. Interview transcripts were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Emerging themes revealed that desire and intention to have children arose associated with the consideration of challenges related to heterosexism, but also associated with reflection on the conditions and resources to be mobilized to tackle it. Implications for the optimization of individual experience at this level are presented.