Ser madre fuera de la heteronormatividad: Trayectorias vitales y desafíos de familias homoparentales chilenas

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 still lack social legitimacy, laws, and public policies to support them, and research on this topic is scarce. 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. Semi-structured interviews were carried out 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 sociocultural levels show interactions and tensions around the conflict between advantages and risks of increased social visibility. The challenges and costs these women and their families face are discussed in terms of a human rights perspective as well as public policies.