Being a mother outside heteronormativism: Vital trajectories and challenges of Chilean homoparental families

Abstract

The families of lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women challenge the normative heterosexual family model and the traditional notions of kinship. These families are becoming visible in Chile but they do not have social legitimacy, laws, or public policies to support them, and there is scarce research on this topic. This paper presents the results of a qualitative interpretive study involving women with children born in a previous heterosexual relationship. Methodological approach was Grounded Theory. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six women whose children were between 4 and 15 years old. Results show that women's vital trajectories (progressive, ambivalent and queer) directly influence the way they address their sexual orientation with their children. Personal/affective and socio-cultural levels show interactions and tensions around the conflict between advantages and risks of increased social visibility. We discuss the challenges and costs these women and their families face from the perspective of human rights and public policies.