“We don’t tolerate each other; we actually respect and love each other”: Chosen family as a turning point among LGBTQ+ people
Abstract
Chosen families are vital for the development of LGBTQ+ people, as many rebuild social networks after encountering rejection from family and friends. Yet, little is known concerning how chosen families operate for formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people or their impact on offending and desistance trajectories. To address this gap, this qualitative article explores the role of chosen family in the development of formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people. It uses data collected from the life history narratives of 25 formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people and considers (1) life-course experiences with chosen family, (2) chosen family as a developmental turning point, and (3) chosen families in carceral spaces. Findings demonstrate that chosen family plays an integral role in the development of formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people as these networks become more important as they get older, provide vital support, and are shaped by generational and intersectional factors. Furthermore, the sample discussed how chosen family functioned as a developmental turning point into both offending and desistance. Finally, chosen families were constructed within carceral contexts and served many purposes even after incarceration. This work has important policy implications, including that more programming is needed to foster chosen families among marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Skyler Morgan