“Progressive ” government (2005-2009) and the LGTTBQ agenda : on the (recent ) queering of Uruguay and its limits

Abstract

In the following pages I offer a basic interpretation of this recent and incomplete “queering of Uruguay”. I do so using two moments of explanation: the structure and the conjuncture of the country. I am not using these terms in a conceptually complex way. By “structure” I refer to the historical trajectory and some main stable features of Uruguay that (I will argue) are helpful for “making sense” of the issues addressed here. From this starting point, we will be ready to look at what is going on today, and here again it is necessary to choose a window, a point of view: in this case, the spectacular growth in visibility of queer social movements and their success in putting sexual diversity issues onto the social and institutional agenda (Aguilar Villanueva, 1992; 1992b & 1992c). But this achievement cannot be understood without considering the arrival of the “progressive” Frente Amplio (Broad Front) to government in 2004. Thus, I will explore the articulation among queer social movements, public policy and state discourse.