The Role of Political and Legislative Changes in the Everyday Lives of LGB Individuals: the Case of Portugal

Abstract

Using findings from a qualitative investigation based on in-depth asynchronous online interviews with 425 self-identified LGB Portuguese individuals (73.9 % gay, 12.3 % lesbian, and 13.8 % bisexual), this paper explores the role of political and legislative changes in the everyday lives of LGB individuals after the implementation of recent political and legislative changes in the country, such as the 2010 law allowing same-sex couples to marry and the 2016 law allowing same-sex couples to adopt and joint-adopt children. Participants were asked to complete a structured interview online, which consisted of socio-demographic questions concerning age, sexual orientation, gender, occupation, education, relationship status, and knowledge of the legislation that affected them as an LGB person. Participants were also asked to write a response to a single open-ended and fundamental question: “As an LGB person, what was the most important thing that happened to you over the last year because of the political and legislative changes concerning LGB rights implemented in Portugal?” The content analysis of the major findings was structured around the following main thematic areas: relationships and family, coming out issues, health issues, happiness and personal development, and social and political changes. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of political and legislative changes in the everyday lives of LGB people, as delivering this type of knowledge is a very important tool to fight discrimination against LGB individuals.