Engaging with Politics

The Internet, news media, television shows, music, and films feature more positive images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people today than ever before. But less than a generation ago, the situation was very different. How did we get to this point of increasing visibility and respect? This book explores the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) struggle to live openly with dignity and equal rights from the mid-20th century efforts of the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis to the 1969 Stonewall Riots and the international LGBT movement for equality. While celebrating the recent victories for marriage equality and the right to serve openly in the military, it’s important to recognize that the struggle is ongoing both on a legal level and in people’s everyday lives. For instance, LGBT people are still not protected from workplace discrimination in many places In the United States. And around the world LGBT people still face physical danger daily because of who they are. Each title in this series contains a foreword from the founder of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions–building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.