Gay and Lesbian Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook

Front Cover
Bloomsbury Academic, 2002 - Political Science - 339 pages

A groundbreaking volume surveying the contributions that gay and lesbian Americans have made to the democratic process.

In 1969, when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people first participated as a group in the political process, they faced an imposing array of obstacles. Everything from personal rejection and violence; state anti-sodomy laws; exclusion from the armed forces; and legal discrimination in employment, housing, credit, consumer service, and public accommodations.

Nevertheless, by the end of the millennium, LGBT people had transformed themselves into a well-organized and begrudgingly respected political force. In the process, they dramatically changed laws and attitudes across the nation. This new volume tells the story of the rapid growth and remarkable successes of the LGBT movement—a record that makes it one of the most successful social movements in U.S. history and, ironically, the least studied.

About the author (2002)

Donald P. Haider-Markel is professor and chair of political science at the University of Kansas, USA. His research and teaching are focused on the dynamics between public opinion, political representation, political behavior, and public policy.

Bibliographic information