HOMOSSEXUALITY AS IDENTITY, FAMILY AS PASSPORT, VULNERABILITY AS QUESTION

Abstract

This article analyses if the difficulties - either legal or caused by prejudice and discrimination - for building formal familial ties among homosexuals lead to a greater social vulnerability. To “listen” to those who are directly involved a questionnaire with six questions and also socio-demographic information was applied, in 2007-2008. The survey was sent via internet to Brazilian LGBT associations and answered directly by the informants (n = 28, age range 24-63 years). Considering a Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) decision in 2011, which recognizes the legal union of same-sex couples, the paper also evaluates its potential impacts on the group´s access to rights and citizenship. It is concluded that even though this is an important milestone in homosexual rights, that recognition is not enough to weaker vulnerabilities.Keywords: Human rights, homosexuality, family, vulnerability.