Anti-Gay Rights

This book examines anti-gay voter initiatives from both the political science and communication perspectives. In recent years, anti-gay initiatives sponsored by conservative Christian groups have been placed on the ballot in several states. This development provides an opportunity to evaluate the initiative process as a way of resolving public policy questions on this divisive topic. Using examples and data from Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Maine, Missouri, Florida, California, and Washington, the authors discuss the emergence of the new religious right and why anti-gay initiatives are sponsored by conservative Christian groups. Interviews with the leaders of the groups opposing and supporting the anti-gay initiative in Idaho and a listing of the measures themselves are included.

STEPHANIE L. WITT is Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Boise State University. Dr. Witt is author of The Pursuit of Race and Gender Equity (Praeger, 1990) and coauthor of The Urban West (Praeger, 1994). Her research has appeared in scholarly journals such as State and Local Government Review, American Politics Quarterly, Review of Personnel Administration, and Public Administration Review.

SUZANNE McCORKLE is Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs and Professor of Communication at Boise State University. Dr. McCorkle is the past president of the National Organization for Research on Women and Communication and the current president of the National Speech Communication Association Women's Caucus.