In this collection of articles, the various authors examine the interaction of gays and lesbians with the democratic process in regards to public policy, public opinion, and political representation.

Examines the origins and growth of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender participation in America's democratic and political processes.

"From Harvey Milk to Barney Frank, and from ACT UP to Proposition 8, in the past few decades, no political change has been more significant than the civil rights advancements of LGBTQ citizens. LGBTQ Politics is the first authoritative reader to approach the complexity of queer politics from a political science persective, bringing together original contributions from leadings scholars in the field on key issues in LGBTQ politics. These original essays cover a wide range of essential topics, including marriage equality, transgender discrimination, gay and lesbian political candidates, LGBTQ human rights advocacy, HIV prevention, and LGBTQ movements of the Global South. The volume also includes a number of critical essays that reflect upon the state of political science as a discipline that has struggled to address queer politics. Contributors draw from a variety of subfields in political science, including comparative politics, political theory, American politics, public law, and international relations. Essays that focus on mainstream institutional politics appear alongside contributions grounded in grassroots movements and critical theory. While some essays express concerns that the democratic basis of the LGBTQ movement has been undermined, others celebrate the movement's successes and offer visions for the future. A comprehensive, thought-provoking, and authoritative collection, LGBTQ Politics: A Critical Reader is required reading for anyone looking to learn about the politics of sexuality"--Back cover.

DIVInvestigates the complex histories and conflicting desires that are generally concealed behind the term “democracy.”/div

Recording issues and obstacles as well as groundbreaking victories in the recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) rights in politics and policy, this landmark handbook introduces core considerations necessary for prompting governmental initiatives and social structures to better serve the GLBT population. Its impressive range of research enlightens all corners of GLBT public administrative theory and practice, including state, national, and international policy; educational, health, and criminal justice administration; and specialized community issues. Beginning with a foreword by U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the handbook's broad reach covers the most recent advances in GLBT politics and policy in the U.S. political party support of gay rights in the legislative and executive branches the influence citizens have in shaping gay rights at the state level legislation and challenges specific to transgender and bisexual rights GLBT youth issues in light of the current mainstream cultural climate the disparity between developed and developing nations in tolerance and protection of gay rights health and healthcare matters impacting the GLBT community GLBT concerns in elementary and secondary schools, ranging from employment and curriculum to harassment and support systems higher-education struggles, as well as the prospects for greater societal change stemming from campus progress hate crimes, including a focused analysis of law enforcement handling of GLBT homicides other GLBT-germane aspects of the criminal justice system Collecting the diverse perspectives of top-tier administrators, educators, researchers, political writers, activists, social workers, and other professionals, this resource is key reading for public administrators, public planners, public policy specialists, and undergraduate and graduate students in these and similar disciplines.

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.

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals-often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT-are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.