Law and the Gay Rights Story: The Long Search for Equal Justice in a Divided Democracy

Legal expert Frank (Making Sense of the Constitution) offers a timely look at the history and achievements of the Gay Rights movement. Frank outlines the strategy the movement employed%E2%80%94win the hearts and minds of citizens, persuade lawmakers, and finally vindicate rights in the courtroom%E2%80%94and then follows that strategy as it unfolds, providing valuable context to the sea change that has put the movement's goals within reach. Frank notes the catalysts for change came from myriad sources and he analyzes both milestone Supreme Court cases and important events such as the 1969 New York City Stonewall riots, which were a response to an NYPD raid on the eponymous gay bar. There is much about the AIDS crisis, as well as controversial areas that provided flash points for the movement, among them the right to adopt, the right to work, and the right to marry. Additionally, his profiling of early groups working for gay rights%E2%80%94the Mattachine Society, the Dorian Society, the New York Gay Liberation Front, and the Gay Activist Alliance%E2%80%94will be new information for many readers. Frank's enlightening book underscores how long and difficult the road has been for gay rights and how much has been gained. (Aug.)