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Gloria Cuesta Noguerales
Este artículo constituye un análisis teórico en profundidad que versa sobre la manera en la que la teoría queer y feminista interseccional influyen en el estudio de los procesos migratorios internacionales. Desde esta óptica, se van a cuestionar los regímenes migratorios y las intrínsecas relaciones de poder, dominio y opresión subyacentes. Se centra en cómo las identidades de género y sexualidades disidentes interactúan con las estructuras de poder en la movilidad transnacional, a la vez que aparecerán distintos interrogantes acerca del papel de estas en los procesos migratorios, destacando la necesidad de repensar las nociones fijas de identidad. Las investigaciones recogidas critican las categorías estáticas y señalan que las migrantes queer constituyen sujetos imposibles, cuyas historias desbordan las estructuras normativas, lo que revela cómo los regímenes de poder y conocimiento restringen ciertos grupos, y cómo los individuos negocian o resisten estas limitaciones. Las teorías queer y el feminismo interseccional ofrecen una perspectiva crítica sobre el poder y la dominación. Estas teorías critican la arraigada institución que conforma la familia cisheteronormativa como núcleo de las redes transnacionales, a la vez que desafían las nociones tradicionales de género y sexualidad, argumentando que las identidades de género y las relaciones sociales son fluidas y cambiantes, en lugar de invariables, estáticas o esencialistas. Mahler y Pessar van a conceptualizar el género como un proceso, no como una categoría rígida, lo que permite una visión más dinámica de las experiencias migratorias en este caso concreto, mientras que la epistemología queer, aplicada al estudio de las migraciones, aporta un enfoque que cuestiona asimismo las normas heteronormativas. Manalansan va a hacer hincapié en cómo las migraciones están impulsadas por el deseo de explorar identidades sexuales disidentes, entre otras motivaciones. Las feministas post/decoloniales, interseccionales y postestructuralistas han desafiado las jerarquías basadas en sexo/género, raza y clase, y su enfoque crítico ha influido profundamente en el ámbito de los estudios migratorios. La interseccionalidad, entendida no solo como un concepto sino como una aproximación metodológica, permite examinar cómo las múltiples dimensiones de opresión interactúan en la experiencia migratoria. Por lo tanto, el estudio de la migración desde una perspectiva interseccional se entiende como una categoría de práctica social que refleja interacciones complejas entre género, raza, clase y poder. Simone Prodolliet subraya la importancia de visibilizar y denunciar las dimensiones de poder en las relaciones de género dentro de los procesos migratorios, analizando la construcción de las masculinidades y feminidades. Integrar estudios migratorios y queer implica no solo investigar las migraciones de personas con sexualidades no normativas, sino hacerlo desde un enfoque que critique las instituciones sociales que disciplinan la sexualidad. Así, se cuestionan los regímenes de migración que perpetúan desigualdades, y se busca transformar las relaciones de poder que generan regímenes de vida y muerte desiguales a múltiples escalas. Con todo, el objetivo del artículo acentuadamente teórico reside en poner en diálogo y contrastar obras clave sobre feminismos críticos, interseccionalidad y teorías queer, explorando su entrelazamiento con los estudios migratorios y su potencial para replantear debates actuales en este ámbito.
The analysis of migration from a feminist perspective highlights the intersection of gender, class, race, and legal status in shaping the experiences of women and queer migrants. Transnational migration policies and their securitization practices often overlook women as social agents and instead treat migrants as a homogenous, male-centered group. This oversight leads to a failure in addressing the unique vulnerabilities women face, exacerbating the inequalities that already exist between male and female migrants. International human rights agreements are frequently ignored in favor of policies that emphasise security over humanitarian concerns. Many migrants flee their home countries due to persecution, violence, and poverty, but are met with suspicion and control at the borders of wealthier nations. Women and queer migrants, in particular, face additional layers of vulnerability, as their iden-tities, sexualities and gender play a crucial role in shaping their experiences in a world where several hierarchies still hold significant influence. Moreover, queer and non-binary individuals encounter even greater risks, as they do not fit into the traditional norms governing many societies, adding further complexity to their migration journeys. The concept of transnationalism reshapes how we view migration and migrant identities. Migrants are not merely moving from one place to another; they maintain connections with their homeland while na-vigating new environments. This transnational identity challenges conventional understandings of race, class, and ethnicity, which permeate both social science discourse and public perception. In this con-text, identity becomes a site of struggle, influenced by global capitalism and the structures that oppress and victimise migrant women and queer migrants, rendering them invisible within power dynamics. Therefore, intersectionality is a key framework for understanding the complex layers of oppression that queer migrants, among others, face. Gender, race, sexual orientation, legal status, and economic class intersect to create a matrix of discrimination, where different experiences of marginalisation overlap and shape individual realities. Feminist scholars argue that the interrelation of these factors must be central to any policy discussion or intervention concerning migration. Besides, the feminist lens highli-ghts the failures of current policies and migration regimes that often perpetuate inequality rather than address the root causes of migration. In Europe, the migration debate is dominated by security concerns rather than human rights. Feminist and postcolonial studies critique the discourse that frames migration as a threat, often associating it with criminality and social dysfunction. This narrative justifies the development of restrictive policies, such as border controls and measures aimed at preventing migration by addressing its root causes in migrants’ countries of origin, like poverty and violence. These efforts, however, are criticised for their limited scope and their failure to address the structural inequalities that push people to migrate. A femi-nist approach also advocates for policies that do not seek to restrict migration but instead ensure that migration occurs under conditions of equality and respect for human rights. Countries, particularly in Europe, have signed international treaties committing them to uphold human rights standards. Howe-ver, their migration policies often emphasise national sovereignty over the rights of migrants, further marginalising those already vulnerable. This tension between national interests and human rights is central to debates about how migration is managed globally. Feminist scholars argue for policies that strike a balance between national sovereignty and the protection of migrants’ rights. Ensuring that mi-grants can maintain their identity and sense of belonging is crucial, as current narratives often portray migration as a problem or threat. This portrayal, combined with the conditions of inequality under which many South-North migration flows occur, contributes to the stigmatisation of migrants. The history of migration policies shows how the perception of migrants has evolved over time. States, as key players in the international system, have approached migration either as a security issue or in response to labor market needs. Migration policies and international regimes are not neutral; they create categories and hierarchies that differentiate between desirable and undesirable migrants, often based on their legal status. This stratification of rights leads to new forms of inequality and reinforces existing social, economic, and political inequalities. At the global level, institutions like the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) promote a migration management regime that blends security con-cerns with human rights and development. This approach aims to control migration flows and borders, while also addressing the rights of migrants. However, critics argue that migration management is not an alternative to securitisation but rather complements it, as both approaches prioritise state security over the rights and dignity of migrants. The feminist critique of migration policies points to the need for a shift in how migration is understood and managed. Rather than treating migration as a problem to be solved through security measures, feminist perspectives emphasise the importance of addressing the inequalities that underlie migration flows. The focus should be on creating conditions that allow for equitable migration, where human rights are respected and migrants are not treated as threats, criminals or undesirables. In particular, the feminist lens highlights the importance of gender in shaping migration experiences. The migration process differs significantly between men and women, with women often facing greater risks and cha-llenges. In countries like Spain, discriminatory practices against queer migrants and women, especially those in irregular legal situations, persist. These practices violate human rights and prevent migrants from fully exercising their rights as citizens. The discourse around migration often portrays migrants as unwanted, illegal, or criminal, which reinfor-ces stereotypes and justifies exclusionary policies. Feminist scholars challenge this narrative, arguing for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of migration that takes into account the diverse ex-periences of migrants, particularly women. By focusing on the intersection of gender, race, class, and legal status, feminist perspectives offer a more comprehensive framework for understanding migration and developing policies that promote equality and justice.In conclusion, migration policies need to move beyond securitization and control. Feminist perspectives advocate for a rights-based approach that considers the complex realities of migrant women and other marginalised groups. By addressing the structural inequalities that drive migration and ensuring that migrants can move freely and with dignity, we can create a more just and equitable global system. The challenges posed by migration are not insurmountable, but they require a fundamental shift in how we think about borders, security, and human rights.
