The political representation and involvement of sexual minorities in the United States has been highly contested and fiercely debated. As recent legislative and judicial victories create inroads toward equality for this growing population, members and advocates of these minorities navigate evolving political and legal systems while continuing to fight against social and institutional resistance.Sexual Minorities and Politics: An Introduction is the first textbook to provide students with an up-to-date, thorough, comprehensive overview of the historical, political, and legal status of sexual gender minorities. Skillfully synthesizing the research of political scientists, political theorists, and historians, Jason Pierceson describes the history of the LGBT rights movement, chronicles the political and legal movements and the responses to them, examines philosophical debated within and about the movement, and assesses the current state of the politics and policies concerning sexual minorities.

The emergence of a movement for sexual minorities and its opposition in the United States -- Political theory -- Social movements, electoral politics, and public opinion -- Courts and the LGBT rights movement -- Public policies -- The transgender and intersex movements, law, and policy -- Global developments.