The authors reflect on the modifications of the family configuration in Brazil and in other countries, the continuing decline of the patriarchal familiy structure and the recent appearence of claims for the homoparental families rights. During the discussion regarding homoparentality, the authors resume the history of the use of the term homossexuality and of the “healing” techniques for homossexuality, and expose Freud's opinion regarding this matter, which is regarded as a rupture with the tradition of his time. The internal disputes of the psychoanalitical movement are also mentioned in two important moments: the discussions regarding the possibility of homossexuals having access to the psychoanalisys formation (in ) and the participation of psychoanalists in the elaboration of the Law Project regarding civil union of people of the same sex in Brazil.