Negotiations between possibilities and reality: Reproductive choices of Families of Choice in Poland

Abstract

Lack of recognition of queer families in Poland impacts their daily experiences in a distinct manner. However, the importance of geo-location and a Central and Eastern European perspective have been marginalized in Western studies on queer kinship. The present investigation examines from a local and intersectional perspective the reproductive plans and parental practices of lesbians in Poland as a part of the largest mixed-method study on queer families conducted in the CEE (Families of Choice in Poland). In the article, the authors examine the parental decision processes and strategies employed to sidestep multiple legal and social obstacles (i.e. lack of legal recognition of the social mother and the risk of social stigmatization of the child). They argue that understanding local specificity in studies on queer families is key to comprehending their experiences.