Gay and Lesbian Rights: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues) - Hardcover

Newton, David E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1598843060 ISBN 13: 9781598843064

Publisher: ABC-CLIO, 2009

Synopsis

This thoroughly updated edition provides readers with the background and resources needed to understand one of the greatest civil rights issues of our time.

When it was first published in 1994, Gay and Lesbian Rights: A Reference Handbook was acclaimed in School Library Journal for taking "a sober and balanced approach in addressing this emotionally charged and complex topic." The new edition shows just how far the nation has come in securing legal protections regardless of sexual orientation―and how far we still have to go.

Gay and Lesbian Rights: A Reference Handbook, Second Edition provides a history of the gay liberation and gay rights movements in the United States and other parts of the world. Maintaining the careful approach of the first edition, it addresses a range of current issues from housing and employment discrimination to military service to same-sex marriage and adoption laws. Wholly rewritten, with almost 80 percent new material, it is the ideal introduction to one of the most important civil rights issues in the world today.

About this title

About the Author

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks, and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

From the Back Cover

Designed to serve as both a one-stop information source and a guide to in-depth exploration, this engaging volume examines the controversial subject of gay and lesbian rights. Thoroughly objective in its presentation, the volume includes a chronology of significant developments in the gay rights movement, biographical sketches of important and influential people, a review of relevant legislation, and excerpts from speeches and articles on both sides of the issue. Selected print and nonprint resource listings direct readers to additional information on this complicated, emotional matter. This volume provides solid, useful information that can serve as a foundation for further research and enhanced understanding of this critical issue.

Reviews

Grade 9 Up—The second edition of this handbook provides a succinct update on a rapidly evolving issue. With the addition of new chapters ("Worldwide Perspective," "Problems, Controversies, and Solutions") since the 1995 edition, Newton not only expands the historical perspective of LGBT rights, but also informs readers about more current topics such as same-sex marriage and the adoption of children by same-sex partners. The "Directory of Organizations," a listing of both advocates and opponents of gay rights, and "Resources," which is divided into sections providing books, articles, reports, and Web sites, are much improved in this edition. However, the majority of entries in "Biographical Sketches" are not new, and while the introduction to that chapter states that it includes biographies of individuals who challenge gay and lesbian rights, there are none. The volume also includes a lengthy chronology, a glossary with an unfortunate misspelling of the first word, and an adequate but imperfect index. Despite its shortcomings, for a current, single-volume overview of LGBT legislation, legal rights, and policy, this work will suffice. ABC-CLIO provides an identical, easy-to-navigate ebook version of this title.—Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1598843060
• ISBN 13: 9781598843064
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 320