Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Public Policy Issues

In response to the cultural war declared upon gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people by the radical right, this book gives you an inside look at the gay community's perspectives on the four major issues of school curricula, workplace protections, legitimization of same-sex relationships, and protections against discrimination. As Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Public Policy Issues examines the role of radical religious thought in American politics, it looks at the development of conflicts on the national level over the four main issues. It also looks at specific examples of the conflicts, such as the "Rainbow Curriculum" battle in New York City and the controversial school board elections in Des Moines. This insightful and comprehensive book discusses recent successes of the gay and lesbian movement in the development of local public policy as well as setbacks it has experienced. From election year gay-bashing to the persecution of gay and lesbian youth in school environments to lack of protection for gay and lesbian employees in the workplace, it is clear that much work remains to be done before the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons are protected to the same degree as those of heterosexual persons. Gay or straight, you will find your eyes truly opened as you read about: discrimination against gay and lesbian people by the American system of justice congressional indifference to workplace oppression the origins and aims of the religious right the development of services to meet the needs of gay youths in the school environment the major confrontations administrators face when dealing with sexual orientation issues homelessness from a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered point of view gay and lesbian role models and multicultural activities for adolescents Citizens, public administrators, policymakers, educational administrators, social service providers, and teachers need to read Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Public Policy Issues to understand how members of the gay community remain disenfranchised in American society. You may think you are sensitive to the issues, but are you helping to find solutions? Get this book and find out