The Lesbian and Gay Movements: Assimilation or Liberation? (Dilemmas in American Politics)

Throughout their relatively short history, lesbian and gay movements in the United States have endured searing conflicts over whether to embrace assimilationist or liberationist strategies. The Lesbian and Gay Movements explores this dilemma in both contemporary and historical contexts, describing the sources of these conflicts, to what extent the conflicts have been resolved, and how they might be resolved in future. Rimmerman also tackles the challenging issue of what constitutes movement effectiveness" and how effective" the assimilationist and liberationist strategies have been in three contentious policy arenas: the military ban, same-sex marriage, and AIDS. Considerable attention is devoted to how policy elites,presidents, federal and state legislatures, courts,have responded to the movements' grievances.Since the publication of the first edition in 2007, there have been enormous changes in the landscape of lesbian and gay movements and rights. The thoroughly revised second edition includes updated discussion of LGBT movements' undertakings in, as well the Obama administration's response to, AIDS/HIV policy, the fight to legalize same-sex marriage and overturn the defence of Marriage Act, and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Throughout Their Relatively Short History, Lesbian And Gay Movements In The United States Have Endured Searing Conflicts Over Whether To Embrace Assimilationist Or Liberationist Strategies. The Lesbian And Gay Movements Explores This Dilemma In Both Contemporary And Historical Contexts, Describing The Sources Of These Conflicts, To What Extent The Conflicts Have Been Resolved, And How They Might Be Resolved In Future. Rimmerman Also Tackles The Challenging Issue Of What Constitutes Movement Effectiveness And How Effective The Assimilationist And Liberationist Strategies Have Been In Three Contentious Policy Arenas: The Military Ban, Same-sex Marriage, And Aids. Considerable Attention Is Devoted To How Policy Elites-presidents, Federal And State Legislatures, Courts-have Responded To The Movements' Grievances. Since The Publication Of The First Edition In 2007, There Have Been Enormous Changes In The Landscape Of Lesbian And Gay Movements And Rights. The Thoroughly Revised Second Edition Includes Updated Discussion Of Lgbt Movements' Undertakings In, As Well The Obama Administration's Response To, Aids/hiv Policy, The Fight To Legalize Same-sex Marriage And Overturn The Defense Of Marriage Act, And The Repeal Of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. --,throughout Their Relatively Short History, The Lesbian And Gay Movements In The United States Have Endured Searing Conflicts Over Whether To Embrace Assimilationist Or Liberationist Strategies. This New Book Explores This Dilemma In Both Contemporary And Historical Contexts, Describing The Sources Of These Conflicts, To What Extent The Conflicts Have Been Resolved, And How They Might Be Resolved In Future. The Text Also Tackles The Challenging Issue Of What Constitutes Movement Effectiveness And How Effective The Assimilationist And Liberationist Strategies Have Been In Three Contentious Policy Arenas: The Military Ban, Same-sex Marriage, And Aids. Considerable Attention Is Devoted To How Policy Elites--most Notably Presidents Reagan, Bush, And Clinton; Congress; And The Supreme Court--have Responded To The Movements' Grievances. The Book Examines The George W. Bush Presidency With An Eye To Assessing How Political Opportunities Have Informed The Broader Lesbian And Gay Movements' Strategies, And Also Details The Response Of The Christian Right To The Movements' Various Assimilationist And Liberationist Strategies-- Throughout their relatively short history, lesbian and gay movements in the United States have endured searing conflicts over whether to embrace assimilationist or liberationist strategies. The Lesbian and Gay Movements explores this dilemma in both contemporary and historical contexts, describing the sources of these conflicts, to what extent the conflicts have been resolved, and how they might be resolved in future. Rimmerman also tackles the challenging issue of what constitutes movement'effectiveness'and how'effective'the assimilationist and liberationist strategies have been in three contentious policy arenas: the military ban, same-sex marriage, and AIDS. Considerable attention is devoted to how policy elites (presidents, federal and state legislatures, courts) have responded to the movements'grievances.Since the publication of the first edition in 2007, there have been enormous changes in the landscape of lesbian and gay movements and rights. The thoroughly revised second edition includes updated discussion of LGBT movements'undertakings in, as well the Obama administration's response to, AIDS/HIV policy, the fight to legalize same-sex marriage and overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, and the repeal of'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. "Throughout their relatively short history, the lesbian and gay movements in the United States have endured searing conflicts over whether to embrace assimilationist or liberationist strategies. This new book explores this dilemma in both contemporary and historical contexts, describing the sources of these conflicts, to what extent the conflicts have been resolved, and how they might be resolved in future. The text also tackles the challenging issue of what constitutes movement "effectiveness" and how "effective" the assimilationist and liberationist strategies have been in three contentious policy arenas: the military ban, same-sex marriage, and AIDS. Considerable attention is devoted to how policy elites--most notably Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton; Congress; and the Supreme Court--have responded to the movements' grievances. The book examines the George W. Bush presidency with an eye to assessing how political opportunities have informed the broader lesbian and gay movements' strategies, and also details the response of the Christian Right to the movements' various assimilationist and liberationist strategies"-- Provided by publisher Table of Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 1. Introduction to the Core Dilemma......Page 16 2. The Assimilationist and Liberationist Strategies in Historical Context......Page 28 3. The Conflict over HIV/AIDS Policy......Page 48 4. Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Policy Perspectives on the Military Ban......Page 90 5. Jilted at the Altar: The Debate over Same-Sex Marriage......Page 126 6. The Movement's Futures......Page 166 Appendix I: AIDS Timeline......Page 194 Appendix 2: The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Law......Page 202 Appendix 3: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Christian Right Organizations......Page 206 Discussion Questions......Page 208 Glossary......Page 212 Notes......Page 218 References......Page 220 Index......Page 234