“We, the parents”: The activist collective identity of parents of LGBTQ individuals in Poland

Objective

The article presents a study on the collective identity of members of the Polish organization “We, the Parents—the association of mothers, fathers, and allies of LGBTQIA individuals.”

Background

The research contributes to the field of social movement studies, specifically focusing on the rights of sexual and gender minorities and parental activism, and is grounded in social constructionism.

Method

Using a qualitative case study with an ethnographic approach, the study employed participatory observation, interviews, document analysis, and autoethnography, analyzed through grounded theory.

Results

Findings highlight the cultural roots of the collective identity (“parent”), its interaction with individual identities, and its complex structure, identifying categories such as “accepting parenthood,” “normal parenthood,” “proxy parenthood,” and “intervening parenthood.”

Conclusions

The concept of “parenthood” both strengthens the collective identity and reveals internal tensions. Members engage with diverse audiences, including the public, the LGBTQ community, and power centers, using strategies like promoting “good parenting,” transforming social norms on sexuality and gender, supporting the LGBTQ community, and influencing public discourse on LGBTQ rights. Their modes of expression include narrative, evaluative, performative, and persuasive approaches.

Implications

The study offers valuable insights for practitioners in education, health care, and family support, especially in areas with adverse sociocultural climates. It demonstrates how parents adapt after their child's coming out, gain empowerment, and form alliances to improve LGBTQ family well-being. The research also inspires policy initiatives and public health strategies addressing the mental well-being and institutional discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals.