The End of the Gay Rights Revolution: How Hubris and Overreach Threaten Gay Freedom [Hardcover]

The gay rights movement in the West has succeeded beyond its wildest dreams  but this success seems suddenly fragile.

Ronan McCrea's important book argues that this is no blip. Forces favourable to gay rights  such as the wider cultural shift towards greater sexual freedom  are weakening, while political developments, cultural changes and migration patterns mean that sources of opposition, both old and new, are gaining strength. The gay rights movement is ill-equipped to meet this challenge. Convinced that history is on its side, the movement has expanded its aims and made new enemies while refusing to consider whether elements of the sexual freedoms it fought for have had unforeseen downsides, including for gay people themselves.

For the gay rights revolution to endure, a fundamental reconsideration of its goals, its history and its limits is required. Anyone wanting to understand the challenges faced by gay rights and the wider liberal project needs to read this timely warning.

Also available as an audiobook.

Acknowledgements

I Deliverance?

II An Incidental Revolution

III Sexual Freedom and the End of History: The Post-Liberal Moment

IV The Illusion of the Universal Appeal of the Sexual Revolution

V Hubris: The Gay Movement Over-Reaches

VI The King Is Dead! Now What? Radical and Moderate Versions of Gay Freedom

VII The Downside of Anything Goes

VIII The Truth Will Set You Free? The Challenges of Honesty in a Hostile World

IXA Dose of Modesty

X Conclusion: Reform from Revolution

What a fabulously timely, well-researched and argued book. The gay world has to be ready for the coming fight. It is hard to doubt that much of what has beelsf