The 82 Percent: Bonus Conversation with Alex Chen

Update: 2024-07-25

Digest

This podcast episode features an interview with Alex Chen, a leading expert in LGBTQ+ civil rights law, who discusses the legal and social challenges faced by diverse family structures, particularly polyamorous relationships. The conversation begins with an overview of Alex Chen's work at the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, where he advocates for legal protections for diverse family structures. He explains how his work evolved to include advocacy for the Polyamorous community, recognizing the need for legal protections for diverse family structures. Alex Chen addresses the resistance he has encountered while advocating for polyamory and diverse family structures within the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the historical context of the fight for marriage equality and the need to move beyond a sole focus on nuclear family structures. He provides a comprehensive definition of diverse families, encompassing various family forms beyond the nuclear family structure, including extended families, blended families, chosen families, multi-parent families, and single-parent families. Alex Chen discusses the concept of disaggregating traditional family norms, recognizing that romantic love, emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, economic support, and social connection can exist independently within different relationships. He questions how the law should encourage and support diverse relationship forms. He explains the channeling function of family law, arguing that legal structures incentivize and disincentivize certain behaviors and relationship forms. He highlights how American law has historically favored the nuclear family structure, creating a normative vision of what constitutes a desirable family. Alex Chen discusses the concept of the "poly tax," highlighting the systemic economic disadvantages faced by the Polyamorous community due to lack of legal recognition and discrimination. He draws parallels to the "black tax" and the legacy of redlining and property discrimination. He identifies two major hurdles facing diverse family structures: lack of legal recognition and discrimination. He provides examples of how these hurdles manifest in real-life situations, such as hospital visitation, health insurance, and employment discrimination. Alex Chen discusses the "poly tax" and the "trans tax," emphasizing the economic costs associated with living in diverse identities and family structures. He argues that formal legal protections are important but insufficient, as systemic economic disadvantages persist due to lack of enforcement and discriminatory practices. He explores the historical formation of the nuclear family, tracing its roots to European colonialism and the ideological warfare surrounding civilizational superiority. He highlights how the nuclear family was promoted as the ideal family structure, often at the expense of other family forms. Alex Chen provides three examples of diverse family structures that existed in American history: indigenous families, black families, and immigrant families. He discusses how these family forms were often marginalized and pathologized, contributing to the dominance of the nuclear family model. Alex Chen discusses the need for legal reforms to recognize and support diverse family structures. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research and data collection to demonstrate the benefits of these family forms. He highlights the ongoing work of the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition in pioneering domestic partnerships and non-discrimination legislation. Alex Chen concludes the interview by encouraging listeners to get involved in advocating for diverse family structures. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with local politicians, supporting organizations like PLAC, and promoting understanding and acceptance within communities.

Outlines