Paper short abstract:

In this paper I explore how naming conventions come into play in same-sex couples in Norway. Naming practices confirm gendered hierarchies through using men’s surnames. Which narratives are used in same sex couples? How does naming contribute to family making?

Paper long abstract:

Lesbian and gay couples in Norway lead lives that in many ways are indistinguishable from straight couples. Politically, queer rights are strong, exemplified in the un-controversy of the national 2022 Queer culture year celebrating 50 years of abolishment of the laws against gay relationships. However, strong anti-queer movements can be seen across the world, and the Oslo shooting 25. June 2022 in connection with Pride, confirm that not all favour equal rights for queer lives.

With these tensions in mind, I am interested in how relationships are done, and families made, by queer couples, exemplified through last name choices.

Based on interviews with members of same-sex couples I will discuss questions such as: How are naming choices made? When gender difference is let out of the equation, how do couples talk about what to call themselves? Which narratives guide their choices?

I have previously looked at how gender hierarchies are confirmed and challenged through last name choices made by Norwegian men in relationships with women. This paper is an exploration of how gender plays a part in same sex couples as an extension of my previous work, and has a comparative lens. But my aim is also to provide some preliminary findings, adding to the slowly growing literature on name choices in queer relationships. When lived lives break with heteronomy, naming provides an opportunity to stand out, to blend in, or to conform to at least some of the ideals of what a family or a couple should look like.