Same-Sex Families Challenging Norms and the Law in France

Abstract

Legal context has become more inclusive for same-sex couples in French society over the recent decade. It was not until 2013 that the marriage law was amended to allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. However, the law still lacks collateral parenting rights: access to ART and surrogacy are still illegal in France for same sex couples, and they must turn to foreign countries to access these rights. Consequently, same-sex parenting is a bit of a "makeshift job", i.e., a legal and social grey area. This chapter analyses how lesbian and gay individuals deal with the law to "make" family, based on a series of in-depth interviews. The retelling of the procreation process they adopt and the story of their daily life as parents provide revealing examples of the different way they negotiate the legal and social obstacles they face. With many roads leading to parenthood, one key aspect of same-sex parenting is the legal recognition of the status and obligations to parent(s), whatever their gender, sexual orientation or number. The different same-sex families configurations challenge the certainties about the "right way to be parent" supported by the law, questioning the dominant and legitimate definition of the "normal" family.

An explorative approach to the cross-section of international migration and sexual preference: same-sex couples in Germany

“…Therefore, while same-sex unions are now "legal" in western European contexts, they are (still) expressions of "non-normative," "unconventional," and "non-standard" lifestyles; and thus challenge family norms (Franchi and Selmi, 2020;Thibeaud, 2020). Research on individual attitudes toward homosexuality shows considerable variation between countries as well as inside countries, with significant shares of people rejecting same-sex behavior completely (Inglehart and Norris, 2003: p. 60).…”

State, society, and sexuality: an inquiry on the lived experiences of lesbians and gay men in contemporary Singapore

“…The emphasis on the deviant nature of their behavior relegated lesbians and gays to be positioned as Others in attaining legal protection positioning them as outsiders in the legal framework (Harding, 2006). Consequentially, the lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage accentuates this marginalization (Harding, 2006;Thibeaud, 2020).…”

“…While studies in the UK and US explored the legal landscape where same-sex marriage is legalized (see Wolff, 2017;Harding, 2006;Carpenter et al, 2021;Cortina & Festy, 2020;Thibeaud, 2020), illustrating the progressive shift in perspectives, the legal landscape differs in Singapore. The importance of legal recognition, workplace culture, and societal attitudes have served as crucial foundations for my study.…”