“Look, here I am, I do exist.” Parenting experiences of trans people in the 21st century in Latin America. Case study through the biographical approach

In Latin America, a CisHeteroNormative family structure marginalizes LGBTIQA individuals from marital and parental roles. Despite social and legal risks, trans people continue to assert and practice parenting in adverse conditions. This case study aims to understand trans people's parenting experiences from a feminist post/decolonial perspective, using theories of subalternity and intersectionality. The main question addressed is: What are the parenting experiences of trans people in Latin America considering the challenges they encounter, the resources available, and the strategies of agency and resistance they employ? The study involved biographical interviews and Intersectional Looms with nine trans parents who have lived in Latin America for at least a year. Participants included four Mexicans (44.4%), three Chileans (33.3%), one Venezuelan (11.1%), and one Guatemalan (11.1%). Four identified as trans women (44.4%) and five as trans men (55.6%). Ages ranged from 35 to 69 years (mean age 49.22, SD 11.75). Parenting duration ranged from one to 43 years (mean 18 years, SD 12.25) and post-transition parenting ranged from one to 16 years (mean 6.88 years, SD 4.30). The number of children per participant ranged from one to three (mean 2, SD 0.67). Participants accessed parenting through previous heterosexual relationships (66.67%) and intrafamilial adoption (33.33%). Obstacles and challenges faced include socio-structural conditions, state-institutional conditions, and microsocial environment conditions, leading to various personal and transgender parenting concerns. Resources identified include social conditions, legal protection, and personal conditions. Strategies of protection, agency, and resistance were categorized into personal and relational coping mechanisms. This study highlights the need for legal frameworks that recognize diverse families and ensure their protection and equality under the law.