20245604(en)/8 - Frameworks of Love in the Construction of Sex-Gender Identity of Homosexual and Bisexual Youth in Arica, Chile

Bastián Tapia Sánchez

This article examines love as a political device that regulates desire and gender relations within the framework of late capitalism, expressed through complex cultural narratives about romantic relationships. In the Chilean context, the historical development of homosexual relationships, from legal repression to gradual visibility, highlights the interplay between love, identity, and politics. Adopting a qualitative ethnographic approach, the study explores the experiences of young homosexual and bisexual individuals in Arica, Chile, emphasizing how family, first love, and “coming out of the closet” serve as significant milestones in the construction of their sexual and gender identities. The analysis focuses on the tensions between heteronormative mandates and personal experiences, shedding light on how these dynamics shape affective and sexual trajectories.

Continue reading - PDF