Att bli fri? : En intervjustudie med kvinnor som omorienterat sig från att leva heterosexuellt till att leva lesbiskt

This thesis explores the experience of reorientation from being in relationships with men to be in relationships with women. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with 8 women between the ages of 28-67 years old. The purpose of the study is to analyze the women’s narratives on this experience in relation to sexuality, relationships, embodiment and various norms associated with heteronormativity. The theoretical framework for the study is queer phenomenology and the interpretational work has been conducted with close reading combined with narrative analysis. The study shows that the women perceive themselves as freer within the lesbian relationship, because they experience that the lesbian relationship does not have to confirm heteronormative expectations to the same extent as a heterosexual relationship. Further this is also one of the main themes throughout the material and thus the thesis: the women sense, for example, that their bodies do not have to conform heterosexual norms for how they do, move or embody themselves. Within the study I argue that this perceived freedom could be understood in relation to the former heterosexual life as well as an overall insight to how power structures specifically between men and women works to subordinate women.