The aim of this article is to investigate if radical autonomy in LGBTQ life can be considered as an everlasting procedure of self-invention, ethical discussion, and interpersonal involvement. Self-creation refers to the process through which individuals make meaningful decisions about their identities, values, beliefs, and actions that shape who they are and how they behave in society. Radical autonomy implies the capacity to determine one's own destiny without external constraints such as oppressive forces, normative expectations, or institutionalized power structures. Ethical negotiation involves negotiating with others to create shared moral standards for personal conduct while relational engagement entails creating and maintaining relationships based on mutual respect and support.
Considering these aspects together, it could be argued that radical autonomy in LGBTQ life can be conceptualized as a continuous process of self-creation, ethical negotiation, and relational engagement. This interpretation suggests that LGBTQ people continuously redefine themselves in relation to the world around them, establishing new identities, values, and practices that challenge societal norms. They also engage in ethical discussions with peers to articulate and defend their views regarding issues related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and social justice.
LGBTQ individuals develop and sustain various types of relationships where they share experiences and struggles while promoting collective goals.
In this sense, radical autonomy becomes a means of empowerment that fosters individual agency and solidarity among those excluded from mainstream society. It allows LGBTQ people to actively choose how they want to live and interact with others, shaping their lives according to their own visions of justice, equality, and liberation.
This approach is not without challenges since it requires constant reflection and adaptation to changing circumstances and contexts.
Radical autonomy implies an interpersonal dimension because it emphasizes the role of relationships in shaping subjectivity and action. Thus, LGBTQ individuals must negotiate their identities and desires within complex networks of power relations and cultural dynamics. The process involves balancing personal needs, interests, and aspirations against broader collective concerns such as resistance, advocacy, or visibility. Hence, relational engagement emerges as an essential aspect of radical autonomy that enables LGBTQ people to build communities based on shared principles and struggles.
Radical autonomy can be conceptualized as a continuous process of self-creation, ethical negotiation, and relational engagement that shapes LGBTQ life through its ability to redefine identity, challenge norms, and create solidarity. This understanding highlights the dynamic nature of LGBTQ experience and suggests that there are no fixed identities but rather fluid trajectories that continuously evolve over time.
Can radical autonomy in LGBTQ life be conceptualized as a continuous process of self-creation, ethical negotiation, and relational engagement?
Self-creation is a core component of LGBTQ identity construction, where individuals create their unique identities through various means such as dressing, expressing, and behaving in accordance with their sexual orientation and gender expression preferences. Accordingly, radical autonomy can refer to an individual's capacity to live freely and without constraints in regards to their sexuality and gender identity.