‘My Rainbow Family’—Discomfort and the Heteronormative Logics

Abstract

Many consider Scandinavian countries to be tolerant and liberal with regard to homosexuality and same-sex parenthood. Nevertheless, heteronormative assumptions of ‘the normal family’ still dominate. The participants in this research project have grown up in rainbow families,1and this article focuses on how they negotiate and work on heteronormativity and representations of ‘normal’ family life in ways that challenge and alter these assumptions. Their work reveals a continuum of practices ranging from concealment and non-disclosure to being very open and proactive in representing their families. In analyzing the data, I employ Sara Ahmed’s (2004) work on comfort/discomfort, and discuss the discomfort of working on the heteronormative logics. The 25 participants in this project come from Denmark and Norway, and range from 15 to 45 years of age (most are between 20 and 25). In interviews and written autobiographies, they spoke and wrote about their families, parenthood and their parents’ sexual orientation.