Identity development is a process of negotiation between one’s own subjectivity and cultural mandates and of internalisation dominant narratives in personal life stories. Minority groups create alternative narratives that challenge dominant ones to legitimise their experiences and provide an alternative pathway for self-definition. The prominence of cultural narratives within the discourse of non-binary people and its implications for identity development have not been deeply investigated. This study aimed to understand the impact of master and alternative narratives on the process of configuring the sexual and gender identities of Chilean non-binary people. Biographical interviews were conducted with six non-binary people. The identified narratives were grouped into two primary areas: gender and sexual orientation. In each case, three master narratives and two alternative ones were identified, organised within broader narratives. Non-binary people negotiate personal narratives with multiple master narratives. Not aligning with hetero-, cis-, and transnormativity configures complex and challenging scenarios in their life trajectories, of unintelligibility and stigmatisation. In this regard, they create multiple alternative narratives for the coherent and viable development of their identities. Thus, culture is not simply ‘out there’, but takes place in the identities of Chilean non-binary people.
Río et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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