ABSTRACT
This chapter defines intimate citizenship as a set of heterogeneous social, cultural, economic, political and legal practices that have the human body, its possibilities, needs and pleasures as its main concern. The aim of intimate citizenship is to extend the definition of citizenship and belonging, and help to create a more inclusive democratic polity that is committed to the full, free and consensual development of alternative sexual identities and forms of intimate lives. Intimate citizenship is about 'the control over one's body, feelings and relationships, and socially grounded choices about erotic and intimate identities and experiences. The chapter uses Emilija's story to focus precisely on the emotional aspects of the politics of intimate citizenship. Wikan and Hochschild call the process emotional management, while Reddy calls it emotional navigation. Both metaphors imply purposive, intentional action, while in reality much of the transformational work emotives do is highly unintentional and unpredictable.
