On the Fringe: Gays and Lesbians in Politics

Does the idea of equality for sexual minorities have as strong an influence as the media suggest? How often do politicians come out forthrightly in support of gay rights? Drawing on more than 300 interviews with activists, politicians, officials legislative aides and journalists, David Rayside shows that gays, lesbians and their political issues are still on the fringe of the political mainstream. His study of political access demonstrates that, despite overall tempering of anti-gay rhetoric in the 1990s, opponents of equality are formidable and standing up for sexual minorities is still widely thought to be politically risky. Rayside documents a high-profile controversy in each of three countries: gays and lesbians in the military in the USA, sexual orientation and human rights legislation in Canada, and the age-of-consent battle in the United Kingdom. In addition, in-depth interviews of openly gay elected officials from three countries - US Congressman Barney Frank, Canadian Member of Parliament Svend Robinson, and British MP Chris Smith - provide an inside look at the political process: the negotiation of gay and lesbian policy issues on a daily basis, the attitudes of colleagues in various political parties, and the tensions created when grassroots and mainstream activism intersect with each other. Examining gay and lesbian politics in these three culturally similar but politically disparate countries, the text explores the political workings and impact of a modern social movement.

About the Author :

David Rayside is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto. He is the author of A Small Town in Modern Times and has written extensively about gay and lesbian issues.

An impressive accomplishment.... On the Fringe will provide an invaluable resource for many years to come.... A significant contribution to lesbian and gay scholarship on political campaigns in the legislative arena.

David Rayside's book offers clear analysis and distinct lessons from some of the major recent civil rights battles to take place in the three most important English-speaking nations of the northern hemisphere.... An accessible look at recent gay and lesbian political history.

In addition to being an insightful comparative analysis of the state(s) of the movement(s) in... three countries, On the Fringe is the first scholarly work to clearly demonstrate the crucial role of openly gay officials in our struggle for equal rights.... Rayside does a brilliant job of illuminating the ideological and strategic differences that often serve to divide us.

In Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, gay and lesbian people have attained political clout that was inconceivable ten years ago. However, Rayside... argues that their influence is more marginal than is readily apparent. Here he presents a comparative overview of the political systems and the current status of 'sexual diversity' in these three countries. Case studies analyze progay legislative initiatives, with detailed, sympathetic, and nonjudgmental consideration given to the dynamics that led to victory or defeat in each circumstance. The roles of three openly gay politicians—British MP Chris Smith, Canadian MP Svend Robinson, and U.S. representative Barney Frank—are also chronicled.... A thoughtful, intelligent work recommended for all gay studies and political science collections.

Rayside's book offers a thorough assessment of the significance of legislative politics for the gay and lesbian agenda.... Timely and highly informative. General readers; upper-division graduates and above.

Written by a Canadian political scientist, this study of gay political movements in Britain, Canada, and the United States is comprehensive and timely.... The book's strength for American readers is its message that the gay political experience is not strictly an American phenomenon; indeed, developments here and in Canada and Britain are substantially similar.