Gay Rights

Children's Literature

Over the past few years incidences of hate crimes inflicted against gay men and women have been highlighted in the press. For some people, the fact that another human being chooses, or may be genetically determined, to pursue an alternate lifestyle inclusive of homosexuality is unacceptable. Individuals and social action groups attempt to limit, punish, and discriminate against individuals who are gay. Conversely, men and women following a gay lifestyle have become increasingly open about their needs. Gays have acted to establish activist groups of their own and have been supported by social watchdog organizations such as the ACLU. It is the complex and emotionally charged topic of gay rights that is the subject of this social studies text. Through a review of the development of the gay rights movement, the author provides a detailed history of social barriers faced by homosexuals. Topics presented include religious perspectives on homosexuality, gays in the military, legal actions involving gays, gay marriages, and current political discussions of the broad area of gay rights. These are sensitive topics and, in general, the author does a good job of handling them in a forthright and reasonable fashion. However, the book's information seems loosely connected and lacking in an organized theme. Further, certain sections of the book, such as the somewhat detailed discussion of state sodomy laws, makes reader and parental discretion advisable. Though this is a book that addresses an important issue of social justice, it's marketability is limited, and it leaves the reader with the sense that he/she has just read a disjointed series of quotes, instead of a cogently developed study. 2000,TwentyFirst Century Books, Ages 14 up, $23.90. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A balanced, straightforward, if sometimes dry account of the gay-rights struggle from the police raid on the Stonewall Inn in 1969 to the present. Andryszewski gives the pros and cons on all of the hot issues-civil-rights protection and legislation, gays in the military, the churches' views on homosexuality, and gay marriage and family life. A chapter on controversies in the `90s brings to light political-party splits over some of these issues, as well as recent progress and setbacks in legislation such as hate-crimes bills and the Boy Scouts case. Numerous black-and-white photos illustrate the book and sidebars provide the texts of various policies, laws, and personal stories. Meticulous chapter notes, a good index, and two pages of recommended reading and organizations to contact for further information are included. While there are other solid titles on this subject, such as Diane Silver's New Civil War (Watts, 1997) and Marilyn Oliver's Gay and Lesbian Rights (Enslow, 1998), libraries should consider Gay Rights for its currency of information.-Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.