CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2026
| Author | Augusiak, Annika |
|---|---|
| Title | Chosen Families, Creative Resistance: LGBTQ+ Life Beyond Political Rhetoric in Poland |
| Summary | This thesis examines the gap between Poland's anti-LGBTQ political rhetoric and the lived realities of LGBTQ individuals. Through interviews with LGBTQ individuals and couples in Polish cities, I explore how people navigate contradictory social and political landscapes. The research reveals how participants actively build chosen families and develop strategies to protect their relationships while resisting institutional exclusion. Despite political hostility, LGBTQ visibility has increased over the years, whether in media or in public, creating protective environments. The academic contribution of this research challenges the existing ideas about linear progression, catching up to Western standards while also challenging East-West divides, thereby avoiding binaries. Instead, I reveal a nuanced perspective on LGBTQ issues, showing how meaningful social change happens through everyday acts of family-making, networks of resistance, and increasing visibility. These findings offer insights not only for understanding Poland but for other contexts where LGBTQ communities create meaning despite hostile political environments. |
| Supervisor | Zentai, Violetta; Markkula, Johanna |
| Department | Sociology MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2026/augusiak_annika.pdf |
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