Lesbian Mothers, Still an Oxymoron? Commitment and Agency in Lesbian Families Planning for a Biologically Related Child
Lesbian Mothers, Still an Oxymoron? Commitment and Agency in Lesbian Families Planning for a Biologically Related Child

Summary/Abstract: Lesbian couples are dependent on the medicalization of pregnancy and birth if they wish for a genetically related child. Most countries are unprepared to tackle the issues of same-sex families to say the least. Whereas in social and political contexts that are mostly hostile to LGBT persons the fear of “coming out” renders lesbians invisible, in less oppressive environments lesbian families make efforts in order to “normalize” their condition. Based on the existing literature on the subject, in the current paper I intend to underscore some of the main types of agency that lesbian women employ in order to become biological parents and claim legitimacy as mothers. I will discuss issues related to agency in the medical, social and legal realms.

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