Before Stonewall Activists for Gay and Lesbian Ri

Authors: Christopher D O’Shea

Publish Date: 2007/03/16

Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 329-330

PDF Link

Abstract

The 35th anniversary of the Stonewall riots undoubtedly produced considerable academic and public reflection on both the historic meaning of Stonewall and the subsequent advancement of homosexual rights since the 1960s While the recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court Lawrence v Texas 2003 which deemed sodomy laws to be unconstitutional marks a high point in the struggle for legal equality continuing social prejudice remains evident in the recent debate over samesex marriage in both the United States and Canada Consequently as gays and lesbians continue to strive for social equality it is important to understand the efforts and sacrifices made by previous generations of activistsThe current volume edited by the late Vern L Bullough is an admirable step toward recognizing the efforts of these ground breaking individuals Bullough brings together the biographies of 49 individuals whose work contributed to the early advancement of gay and lesbian rights in the United

Keywords: