Queer friendship refers to friendships between individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ and have a shared interest in subverting societal norms regarding gender and sexual orientation. These relationships are often characterized by a deep sense of mutual support, affection, and respect, but also by an awareness of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in society. Queer friendship can take many forms, from casual acquaintanceships to deeply committed partnerships, and can be found across all age groups, genders, races, and cultures.
Chosen family is another important concept in queer culture that involves creating alternative kinship networks outside of traditional nuclear families. This can include friends, lovers, roommates, and others who form a tight-knit community based on common interests, values, and goals. Chosen family members provide each other with emotional, practical, and financial support in times of need and work together towards shared objectives. They may or may not share biological ties, but their relationships are characterized by a strong sense of loyalty and commitment.
Relational networks outside normative kinship refer to broader communities of people who come together around shared identities, beliefs, or causes. These networks can include activist organizations, social justice collectives, sports teams, book clubs, religious groups, and more. They provide opportunities for connection, growth, and solidarity beyond immediate familial bonds, and offer a space where individuals can explore and express themselves without fear of judgment or prejudice.
These styles of connection generate ethics of care, dissent, and making space in several ways. Firstly, they create spaces where individuals can express themselves authentically and find acceptance, support, and understanding. Secondly, they challenge societal norms regarding gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and more, encouraging individuals to question and redefine these categories in meaningful ways. Thirdly, they foster a sense of community and belonging, helping individuals feel connected to something bigger than themselves and empowered to make positive change in the world.
There are also challenges associated with these types of connections. Queer friendships can be fragile, as individuals navigate complex power dynamics and competing interests within the group. Similarly, chosen families and relational networks can struggle with issues such as inequality, exclusion, and conflicting values, leading to conflict and division.
Though, queer friendship, chosen family, and relational networks play a crucial role in shaping identity and creating new possibilities for individuals seeking connection, love, and purpose.
What is the ontology of queer friendship, chosen family and relational networks outside normative kinship—how do these styles of connection generate ethics of care, dissent and making space?
Queer friendships, chosen families, and relational networks are alternative forms of social connections that exist outside of traditional nuclear families and biological relatives. These types of relationships can be formed based on shared values, interests, and experiences rather than blood ties. While they may not have the same legal recognition as conventional families, they can provide just as much support and sense of belonging.