Gay and Lesbian Americans and Political Participation : A Reference Handbook

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. A collection of relevant documents includes crucial court decisions, executive orders, declarations of principles, and the coming out statement of U.S. Representative Jim Kolbe A resource list provides contact information for 80 national, state, and local organizations, and an annotated bibliography evaluates sources for further information