G.2. Gay Liberation: Protest and Organization in the West: 1980s-2010s

Volume Two -> G. LGBT: Campaigns for Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Rights -> G.2. Gay Liberation: Protest and Organization in the West: 1980s-2010s

The impact of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s created common problems for gays, but we focus here primarily (though not exclusively) on the response in the USA (see G.2.a.). Since the 1980s gays, lesbians and trans have also sought equal civil rights and the right to express their identity. Some common themes have emerged and common forms of protest and celebration of identity – notably in Pride marches. An important common experience has been violent attacks on members of LGBT community which have often not been taken seriously enough by the police, and also examples of brutality by police forces themselves. For US studies see:

Amnesty International, USA: Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct against LGBT People in the US, London, Amnesty International, 2005 , pp. 149

Bernstein, Mary Lavender and Blue: Attitudes About Homosexuality and Behavior Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Among Police Officers, Vol. 18, issue 3 (Aug), 2002 , pp. 302-328

Berrill, Kevin Anti-Gay Violence and Victimization in the United States: An Overview, Vol. 5, issue 3, 1990 , pp. 274-294

There have been significant campaigns to protect and promote LGBT rights in the USA, including a series of National Marches on Washington in 1979, 1987, 1993 and 2000, but also in many other western countries, which are not so well covered in English publications. The political, legal , religious and cultural contexts vary, however, between countries, so LGBT communities can face somewhat different problems. (For the UK see G.2.b.)
Brandao, Ana Not Quite Women: Lesbian Activism in Portugal, In Alison E. Woodward, Jean-Michel Bonvin, Merce Renom, Transforming Gendered Well-Being in Europe (F.3.a. General, Regional and National Studies) Aldershot, Ashgate, 2011 pp. smaller than 0

D'Emilio, John The World Turned: Essays on Gay History and Politics and Culture, Durham NC, Duke University Press, 2002 , pp. 264

A collection of diverse essays, not a comprehensive survey of LGBT history in the US, but explores the movement’s growth and activities from the 1970s to 1990s, the impact of AIDS in increasing resources and organization in the LGBT community, and the role of several organizations, including the influential National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) founded in 1973 to promote grass roots power and its role in resisting hostile referenda and promoting positive legislation. NB. NGLTF records from 1973-2008 are based in the Cornell University library: http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM07301.html
Pink, Purple, Green: Women’s Religious, Environmental, and Gay/Lesbian Movements in Central Europe Today, ed. Flam, Helena, New York, Columbia University Press, 2001 , pp. 175

Covers variety of movements, but three chapters on problems of gay/lesbian groups in Hungary, Poland and the eastern part of Germany.
Out of the Closet: Voices of Gay Liberation, ed. Jay, Karla; Young, Allen, New York, New York University Press, 1997 , pp. 367

Views and experiences of US activists and their assessment of how much or little had changed since Stonewall.
Martel, Frédéric Le Rose et le Noir : Les homosexuels en France depuis 1968, [1996], Points, 2008 , pp. 772

Original French version. Examines activist lesbian and gay organizations in relation to post-1968 feminism, gay ‘ghettoes’ and the gay press, and explores the impact of AIDS and revival of militancy in the 1990s. Notes influence of American movement, but also stresses differences.
Translations: |
Stone, Amy Dominant Tactics in Social Movement Tactical Repertoires: Anti-Gay Ballot Measures, 1974-2008, In Patrick G. Coy, Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, Bingley, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2010 , pp. 344 , pp. 141-174

Examines how LGBT movement responded to over 200 attempts by religious right in US to promote discrimination through anti-gay referenda.

Websites recommended

Anti-Gay Violence and Victimization in the United States: An Overview (http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/088626090005003003) , 1990

There have been significant campaigns to protect and promote LGBT rights in the USA, including a series of National Marches on Washington in 1979, 1987, 1993 and 2000, but also in many other western countries, which are not so well covered in English publications. The political, legal , religious and cultural contexts vary, however, between countries, so LGBT communities can face somewhat different problems. (For the UK see G.2.b.)
Dominant Tactics in Social Movement Tactical Repertoires: Anti-Gay Ballot Measures, 1974-2008 Bingley Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2010

Examines how LGBT movement responded to over 200 attempts by religious right in US to promote discrimination through anti-gay referenda.
Lavender and Blue: Attitudes About Homosexuality and Behavior Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Among Police Officers , 2002
Le Rose et le Noir : Les homosexuels en France depuis 1968 Points, 2008

Original French version. Examines activist lesbian and gay organizations in relation to post-1968 feminism, gay ‘ghettoes’ and the gay press, and explores the impact of AIDS and revival of militancy in the 1990s. Notes influence of American movement, but also stresses differences.
Not Quite Women: Lesbian Activism in Portugal Aldershot Ashgate, 2011
Out of the Closet: Voices of Gay Liberation New York New York University Press, 1997

Views and experiences of US activists and their assessment of how much or little had changed since Stonewall.
Pink, Purple, Green: Women’s Religious, Environmental, and Gay/Lesbian Movements in Central Europe Today New York Columbia University Press, 2001

Covers variety of movements, but three chapters on problems of gay/lesbian groups in Hungary, Poland and the eastern part of Germany.
The Pink and the Black: Homosexuals in France Since 1968 Palo Alto CA Stanford University Press, 1999

Examines activist lesbian and gay organizations in relation to post-1968 feminism, gay ‘ghettoes’ and the gay press, and explores the impact of AIDS and revival of militancy in the 1990s. Notes influence of American movement, but also stresses differences.
The World Turned: Essays on Gay History and Politics and Culture Durham NC Duke University Press, 2002

A collection of diverse essays, not a comprehensive survey of LGBT history in the US, but explores the movement’s growth and activities from the 1970s to 1990s, the impact of AIDS in increasing resources and organization in the LGBT community, and the role of several organizations, including the influential National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) founded in 1973 to promote grass roots power and its role in resisting hostile referenda and promoting positive legislation. NB. NGLTF records from 1973-2008 are based in the Cornell University library: http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM07301.html
USA: Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct against LGBT People in the US (https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/84000/amr511222005en.pdf) London Amnesty International, 2005

See also:

G. LGBT: Campaigns for Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Rights
Willett, Graham, Living Out Loud: A History of Gay and Lesbian Activism in Australia, (G. LGBT: Campaigns for Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Rights), Part 3 on Australia from 1980s