Queering EB v France (European Court of Human Rights)

This chapter is a creative exploration of the 2008 European Court of Human Rights judgment in EB v France. The case concerned an unsuccessful application for adoption by a lesbian woman, Ms EB whose appliaction was refused by French authorities on the grounds of her sexual orientation. By deploying drama and poetry techniques, the chapter explores notions of family, gender, motherhood, parenting and childhood. Although the original judgment of the Court was positive to the claimant and found that her right to non-discrimination in conjunction with her right to private and family life had been violated, the chapter powerfully unpacks the stereotypes and stigma judges still associate with queer parents.