Periodic Reporting for period 2 - TRIALOGUES (Emergent Biopolitics of Kinship, Gender and Reproduction: Trialogues from the South)
Reporting period: 2024-02-28 to 2025-02-27
TRIALOGUES is an interdisciplinary project exploring the biopolitics of kinship, gender, and reproduction in Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. It examines innovative legal processes and their political backlashes, offering theoretical insights for ongoing debates in gender and queer studies.
The project is structured around one main strand in Brazil, the primary focus, and two complementary strands in Spain and Portugal, enabled through secondments and short visits. Building on foundational works in moral and political philosophy, feminist scholarship, and queer theory, these strands generate empirically grounded discussions on emerging biopolitics, with particular attention to state mechanisms such as political institutions, social policies, and legislative and judicial frameworks shaping the regulation of non-monogamous relationships, gender identity, and third-party assisted reproduction.
Key findings reveal:
- The historical weight of monogamy is deeply rooted in the antagonism between Western public order frameworks and the racial "other" in post-colonial contexts, undermining efforts to achieve legal recognition for non-monogamous relationships.
- Synergies among "anti-gender" backlash, trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), and trans-exclusionary liberal feminists (TELFs) result in state-centred gender identity frameworks that remain anchored in binary presumptions. These frameworks persist even in self-determination-based legislation, disproportionately affecting non-binary individuals and gender-variant minors.
- Inequalities in reproductive access are entrenched in monogamous and heteronormative assumptions, which persist even in progressive regulations of third-party assisted reproduction.
These findings contribute to theoretical and policy-oriented debates, providing tools to contest exclusionary frameworks and promote a critical understanding of public order across diverse socio-political contexts, while also identifying transformative potential through inclusive reforms and coalitional resistance.
The project is structured around one main strand in Brazil, the primary focus, and two complementary strands in Spain and Portugal, enabled through secondments and short visits. Building on foundational works in moral and political philosophy, feminist scholarship, and queer theory, these strands generate empirically grounded discussions on emerging biopolitics, with particular attention to state mechanisms such as political institutions, social policies, and legislative and judicial frameworks shaping the regulation of non-monogamous relationships, gender identity, and third-party assisted reproduction.
Key findings reveal:
- The historical weight of monogamy is deeply rooted in the antagonism between Western public order frameworks and the racial "other" in post-colonial contexts, undermining efforts to achieve legal recognition for non-monogamous relationships.
- Synergies among "anti-gender" backlash, trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), and trans-exclusionary liberal feminists (TELFs) result in state-centred gender identity frameworks that remain anchored in binary presumptions. These frameworks persist even in self-determination-based legislation, disproportionately affecting non-binary individuals and gender-variant minors.
- Inequalities in reproductive access are entrenched in monogamous and heteronormative assumptions, which persist even in progressive regulations of third-party assisted reproduction.
These findings contribute to theoretical and policy-oriented debates, providing tools to contest exclusionary frameworks and promote a critical understanding of public order across diverse socio-political contexts, while also identifying transformative potential through inclusive reforms and coalitional resistance.
Throughout its duration, TRIALOGUES made substantial progress in analyzing the emerging biopolitics of kinship, gender, and reproduction. Grounded in extensive qualitative research—comprising expert and biographical interviews, as well as the analysis of legal frameworks, health campaigns, and political rhetoric—the project produced multidimensional insights that significantly contribute to academic knowledge and public discourse.
Key Results:
Strand 1 (Kinship):
This strand focused on the historical and emerging regulation of non-monogamous relationships in Brazil, examining the legal and societal dynamics shaping family structures. The research emphasized the transformative potential of legal recognition for informal non-monogamous kinship networks, highlighting advocacy efforts by organizations like IBDFAM. Key findings show how legal reforms could secure rights and protections for diverse kinship bonds, including parental rights for non-monogamous families.
Strand 2 (Gender):
The project explored the recognition of gender variance in Spain, analyzing unusual alliances between trans-exclusionary feminism and far-right movements. Findings underscored the limitations of current state-led gender identity regimes and the need for more inclusive legislative transformations, particularly for trans and non-binary minors. Activism by organizations like Euforia, Familias Trans Aliadas played a pivotal role in advocating for more comprehensive gender self-determination laws.
Strand 3 (Reproduction):
This strand critically examined exclusions in reproductive regulations affecting non-heterosexual, non-cis, and non-monogamous individuals. The research highlighted the need for intersectional reforms to ensure equitable access to assisted reproductive technologies, such as gamete donation and surrogacy. Key insights emphasized the importance of respecting reproductive autonomy, particularly for women and other individuals with gestational capacity, regardless of their relational or identity status.
Dissemination and Exploitation of Results:
The project's results have been widely disseminated to both academic and public audiences through various channels, including:
3 Peer reviewed papers
2 Peer reviewed book chapters
2 Thematic issues
1 Book
5 Invited keynotes in international scientific events
3 Other presentations in scientific events
2 Organization of symposiums
3 Co-organization of international conferences
3 Post-graduate courses
2 Workshops
1 Web page
Key Results:
Strand 1 (Kinship):
This strand focused on the historical and emerging regulation of non-monogamous relationships in Brazil, examining the legal and societal dynamics shaping family structures. The research emphasized the transformative potential of legal recognition for informal non-monogamous kinship networks, highlighting advocacy efforts by organizations like IBDFAM. Key findings show how legal reforms could secure rights and protections for diverse kinship bonds, including parental rights for non-monogamous families.
Strand 2 (Gender):
The project explored the recognition of gender variance in Spain, analyzing unusual alliances between trans-exclusionary feminism and far-right movements. Findings underscored the limitations of current state-led gender identity regimes and the need for more inclusive legislative transformations, particularly for trans and non-binary minors. Activism by organizations like Euforia, Familias Trans Aliadas played a pivotal role in advocating for more comprehensive gender self-determination laws.
Strand 3 (Reproduction):
This strand critically examined exclusions in reproductive regulations affecting non-heterosexual, non-cis, and non-monogamous individuals. The research highlighted the need for intersectional reforms to ensure equitable access to assisted reproductive technologies, such as gamete donation and surrogacy. Key insights emphasized the importance of respecting reproductive autonomy, particularly for women and other individuals with gestational capacity, regardless of their relational or identity status.
Dissemination and Exploitation of Results:
The project's results have been widely disseminated to both academic and public audiences through various channels, including:
3 Peer reviewed papers
2 Peer reviewed book chapters
2 Thematic issues
1 Book
5 Invited keynotes in international scientific events
3 Other presentations in scientific events
2 Organization of symposiums
3 Co-organization of international conferences
3 Post-graduate courses
2 Workshops
1 Web page
The project advanced the study of kinship, gender, and reproduction by applying a biopolitical lens, critically examining the relationship between public order and relational norms. It traced the development and persistence of mononormative, binary, and heteronormative legal frameworks. Particular attention was given to how pandemics (HIV/AIDS, COVID-19) have reinforced exclusionary norms affecting relational, gender, and reproductive dissidences.
Key contributions and impacts include:
Legislative Advocacy: The research proposed pathways for legal reforms to better recognize diverse kinship structures and reproductive practices. It emphasized the importance of advancing gender self-determination for trans and non-binary minors and called for more accessible legal gender change processes.
Public Health Policy: Findings highlighted how health crises disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The project advocated for public health interventions grounded in evidence, aiming to avoid moralistic biases and reduce the stigmatization of non-heteronormative and non-monogamous individuals.
Coalitional Politics and Social Change: By encouraging alliances among those advocating for relational, gender, and reproductive dissidences, the project supported resistance against exclusionary legal frameworks and institutional practices. It addressed the influence of trans-exclusionary narratives within feminist movements and tackled moral panics linked to race, class, and sexuality.
Broader Societal Implications: The research identified intersectional vulnerabilities amplified by existing socio-legal structures and offered insights for advocacy and policy reform. Its findings contribute to rethinking public order beyond restrictive and exclusionary principles.
By exploring underexamined contexts, the project has provided a solid foundation for ongoing academic and policy discussions. Its results have the potential to inform legal and societal changes, promoting greater inclusivity and equity in kinship, gender, and reproductive rights.
Key contributions and impacts include:
Legislative Advocacy: The research proposed pathways for legal reforms to better recognize diverse kinship structures and reproductive practices. It emphasized the importance of advancing gender self-determination for trans and non-binary minors and called for more accessible legal gender change processes.
Public Health Policy: Findings highlighted how health crises disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The project advocated for public health interventions grounded in evidence, aiming to avoid moralistic biases and reduce the stigmatization of non-heteronormative and non-monogamous individuals.
Coalitional Politics and Social Change: By encouraging alliances among those advocating for relational, gender, and reproductive dissidences, the project supported resistance against exclusionary legal frameworks and institutional practices. It addressed the influence of trans-exclusionary narratives within feminist movements and tackled moral panics linked to race, class, and sexuality.
Broader Societal Implications: The research identified intersectional vulnerabilities amplified by existing socio-legal structures and offered insights for advocacy and policy reform. Its findings contribute to rethinking public order beyond restrictive and exclusionary principles.
By exploring underexamined contexts, the project has provided a solid foundation for ongoing academic and policy discussions. Its results have the potential to inform legal and societal changes, promoting greater inclusivity and equity in kinship, gender, and reproductive rights.