Directions and Redirections of LGBTQ Movements

Dear Colleagues,

Since the formation of the modern-day LGBTQ movements 45 years ago, their trajectories have been multi-directional. The Stonewall riots of 1969 triggered the activism, organizing, and formation of the gay liberation movement that over time expanded and grew into LGBTQ social movements in North America, and in parts of Europe and Australia. During this time, the focus, agenda, and strategies have taken numerous turns, incorporating varying intersectional social locations, in addition to diverse sexualities, gender identities, and gender expressions. In the past 20 years, LGBTQ social movements have formed in numerous other states in which they are severely persecuted, leading to activism at the international level. What directions have the LGBTQ movements taken? How closely aligned or disparate are these directions from the original goals of the gay liberation movement?  How do these directions contribute to the inclusion/exclusion of LGBTQs within the social movement and society? Ultimately, what are the implications of such directions on LGBTQ people, communities and movements, and society in general?

Thinking about, critically analyzing, and theorizing about the directions the LGBTQ movements have and are taking is important, as such actions inform and contribute to discourse, which in turn may contribute to activism. Such thought, analyses, and theories may also point to the need for redirection should such LGBTQ movements be veering in a direction that is addressing the needs of some over that of others.

This Special Issue invites original articles, discursive or empirically based, addressing any of the following non-conclusive issues:

- Historical perspectives on gay liberation and how they bridge queer liberation today

- How social locations (i.e., race, ethnicity, class, age, (dis)abilities, religion, etc.) have impacted and influenced the LGBTQ movement

- The role of conceptual and theoretical discourse in LGBTQ movement strategizing from influences of the feminist, Black, and peace movements to gay liberation, from queer theory to homonormativity, neoliberalism, and more

- Tensions between a rights claims, equality-focused, assimilationist mainstreaming of the LGBTQ movement vs. a critical, progressive, radical, liberationist LGBTQ movement

- Critical analysis of current directions, projections on future directions and recommendations on redirections of the LGBTQ movement

Dr. Nick J. Mulé
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• activism
• advocacy
• assimilationism
• gay liberation
• homonormativity
• LGBTQ movement
• neo-liberalism
• political strategizing
• queer liberation
• queer theory
• social movements