San Francisco Public Library

Gay rights at the ballot box, Amy L. Stone

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

government publication of a state province territory dependency etc

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Gay rights at the ballot box

bibliography

Amy L. Stone

Since 1974, the LGBT movement has fought 146 anti-gay ballot initiatives sponsored by the religious right and has developed innovative strategies to oppose these measures. Here, sociologist Amy L. Stone examines how the tactics of LGBT activists have evolved and unravels the complex relationship between ballot measure campaigns and the broader goals of the LGBT movement. The first comprehensive history of anti-gay ballot measures, this book draws on archival research and interviews with more than one hundred LGBT activists to provide a detailed account of the campaigns to stop such ballot measures from passing into law. Although LGBT activists lost the vast majority of these fights, they also won significant statewide victories as well as local successes. Stone analyzes how LGBT activists refined their campaign tactics in response to both victories and defeats. She also stresses that such campaigns have played both a complementary and contradictory role within the LGBT movement.--From publisher description

From Anita Bryant to California Proposition 8 : the religious right's attack on LGBT rights -- An uphill battle in the 70s and 80s : building LGBT movement infrastructure -- Fighting the right in the 90s : developing sophisticated campaigns -- A winning streak : teaching campaign tactics, building statewide organizations -- And spreading victories -- Losing at same-sex marriage : rethinking ballot measure tactics -- Smears, tears, and queers : race and transgender inclusion in campaigns