Book chapter
A struggle for recognition and rights: expanding LGBT activism
Expanding Human Rights, pp 13-34
27 Jan 2017
Abstract
The chapter offers an account of the transnational process of movement mobilization surrounding LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans*) activism in Europe. For a movement that has emerged with speed and suddenness on the global stage of 21st century activism, it sheds lights on the transnational dynamics of mobilizing new actors and new identities across borders. It thus builds on earlier conceptions of national political opportunity structures for mobilization, to further explore how they interact with regional institutions. Specifically, the author asks: How do LGBT minorities organize across borders? How do identities and skills travel and adapt in various national contexts? The findings suggest that LGBT activism relies on transnational resources – primarily, social spaces and organizational capacity – that are scarce in many member states but readily available in others. These opportunities among member states serve as mobilizing structures that bring together distinct groups of international actors. Internationalization also alters the tactics that transnational actors use when engaging with authorities in the target state. Employing socialization mechanisms that highlight appropriate behavior, actors tactically frame their demands in a European discourse by associating the issue of LGBT acceptance with democratic responsibilities as members of the European Union community.
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Details
- Title
- A struggle for recognition and rights: expanding LGBT activism
- Creators
- Phillip M. Ayoub
- Publication Details
- Expanding Human Rights, pp 13-34
- Series
- Elgar Studies in Human Rights series
- Publisher
- Edward Elgar Publishing
- Number of pages
- 22
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Politics
- Other Identifier
- 991019173630004721