On the Fringe: Gays and Lesbians in Politics

Review

An impressive accomplishment.... On the Fringe will provide an invaluable resource for many years to come.... A significant contribution to lesbian and gay scholarship on political campaigns in the legislative arena. ― Canadian Journal of Political ScienceDavid Rayside's book offers clear analysis and distinct lessons from some of the major recent civil rights battles to take place in the three most important English-speaking nations of the northern hemisphere.... An accessible look at recent gay and lesbian political history. ― Quill and QuireIn addition to being an insightful comparative analysis of the state(s) of the movement(s) in... three countries, On the Fringe is the first scholarly work to clearly demonstrate the crucial role of openly gay officials in our struggle for equal rights.... Rayside does a brilliant job of illuminating the ideological and strategic differences that often serve to divide us. ― Lambda Book ReportIn Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, gay and lesbian people have attained political clout that was inconceivable ten years ago. However, Rayside... argues that their influence is more marginal than is readily apparent. Here he presents a comparative overview of the political systems and the current status of 'sexual diversity' in these three countries. Case studies analyze progay legislative initiatives, with detailed, sympathetic, and nonjudgmental consideration given to the dynamics that led to victory or defeat in each circumstance. The roles of three openly gay politicians―British MP Chris Smith, Canadian MP Svend Robinson, and U.S. representative Barney Frank―are also chronicled.... A thoughtful, intelligent work recommended for all gay studies and political science collections. ― Library JournalRayside's book offers a thorough assessment of the significance of legislative politics for the gay and lesbian agenda.... Timely and highly informative. General readers; upper-division graduates and above. ― ChoiceWritten by a Canadian political scientist, this study of gay political movements in Britain, Canada, and the United States is comprehensive and timely.... The book's strength for American readers is its message that the gay political experience is not strictly an American phenomenon; indeed, developments here and in Canada and Britain are substantially similar. ― Washington Post Book World

Review

An impressive accomplishment.... On the Fringe will provide an invaluable resource for many years to come.... A significant contribution to lesbian and gay scholarship on political campaigns in the legislative arena.