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 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.

Table of Contents

• Dilemmas in American Politics
• List of Illustrations
• Preface
• 1 Introduction to the Core Dilemma
• 2 The Assimilationist and Liberationist Strategies in Historical Context
• 3 The Conflict over HIV/AIDS Policy
• 4 Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Policy Perspectives on the Military Ban
• 5 Jilted at the Altar: The Debate over Same-Sex Marriage
• 6 The Movements’ Futures
• Appendix 1: AIDS Timeline
• Appendix 2: The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Law
• Appendix 3: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Christian Right Organizations
• Discussion Questions
• Glossary
• References