THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE RESISTANCE OF HOMOPARENTAL FAMILIES FACING PREJUDICE

Same-sex parenting is a recent and current debate in several areas. Same-sex parent families challenge heteronormative norms and face stigma and prejudice in various areas of their lives. Social support emerges as an essential factor in protecting and strengthening these families. The objective of this research was to investigate the influences of social support on the experiences of same-sex parent families and their members. The design was qualitative, exploratory, and cross-sectional. Twelve people, aged between 28 and 42, in same-sex relationships with children participated in this study. The instruments used were a sociodemographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview script. Bardin's content analysis method was used for data analysis. Two categories of analysis were defined: institutional and social prejudice faced by same-sex parent families and social support as a factor in coping and identity affirmation. The results point to social support as an important resource for these families to cope with and resist experiences of prejudice and exclusion.