Political Opportunities and Collective Identity in Ohio's Gay and Lesbian Movement, 1970 to 2000

Abstract

Gender dynamics have historically shaped the gay and lesbian rights movement, with gay men and lesbians working together more during some time periods than others. In this article, the authors explore how changes in the sociopolitical context influence the gendered collective identity and gender composition of the gay and lesbian rights movement over time. The authors use data on the gay and lesbian rights movement in Columbus, Ohio, from 1970 to 2000 and interviews with twenty-four movement participants. They find that shifts in the sociopolitical context, including the activity of movement opponents, change the salience of gender and other identities for movement participants, thereby leading to changes in the movement's collective identity. They contribute to the literatures on gender, sexuality, and social movements by demonstrating that countermovements can mobilize stigma in a way that heightens identity salience and alters collective identities.

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