Abstract

On December 7th 2021, same-sex marriage was legalized in Chile, marking a significant step forward in promoting gender equality through public policy. With this, Chile became the eighth Latin American country recognizing marriage between same-sex couples. Prior to this, the “Civil Union Agreement” (AUC) allowed couples to formalize their relationships and gain some legal protections, but with limitations that did not grant the same rights and benefits as marriage. This research aims to explore, through the lens of biopolitics, how state regulations and discipline, along with the framework of same-sex marriage, impact daily lives of LGBTQ+ people in Chile. These legal advances are often regarded as steps toward justice and institutional strengthening; however, for historically dissident lives, they may entail a process of normalization within the very system that has excluded them. The discussion revolves around the effects of marriage equality and sexual diversity as subjects of rights and recognition within the framework of normativity. Meanwhile, the results through testimonies highlight how these challenges are evident in the lived experiences of those interviewed. © 2025, Universidad de Tarapaca. All rights reserved.