Sexuality, Subjectivity, and Lgbtq Militancy in the United States

As LGBTQ movements in Western Europe and North America are becoming increasingly successful at awarding LGBTQ people rights, especially institutional recognition for same-sex couples and their families, what becomes of the deeper social transformation that these movements initially aimed to achieve? The United States is in many ways a paradigmatic model for LGBTQ movements in other countries. This book focuses on the transformations of the United States' LGBTQ movement since the 1980s, highlighting the relationship between its institutionalization and the disappearance of sexuality from its most visible claims, so that its growing visibility and legitimation since the 1990s have not led to an increase in militancy. The book examines the issue from the bottom up, identifying the links between the varying importance of sexuality as a movement theme and actors' mobilization, and enhances the import of subjectivity in militancy. It draws attention to cultural, sometimes infrapolitical, forms of militancy that perpetuate the role of sexuality in LGBTQ militancy.

Guillaume Marche is a Professor of American society, politics, and culture at Universite Paris-Est Creteil (France) specializing in contemporary social movements in the US. His publications deal with the LGBT movement, sexuality, subjectivity, and collective mobilization. His current work also addresses the use of biography in social science, and infrapolitical forms of intervention in public spaces in San Francisco.Guillaume Marche is a Professor of American society, politics, and culture at Universite Paris-Est Creteil (France) specializing in contemporary social movements in the US. His publications deal with the LGBT movement, sexuality, subjectivity, and collective mobilization. His current work also addresses the use of biography in social science, and infrapolitical forms of intervention in public spaces in San Francisco.