The New Civil War: The Lesbian and Gay Struggle for Civil Rights (The Lesbian and Gay Experience) [Paperback]

Diane Silver (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Lesbian and Gay Experience | Publication Date: June 1997

Describes the struggle by American lesbians and gay men to ensure their civil rights.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up. A thoroughly researched and well-organized book that examines the history of the lesbian and gay civil rights movement and the many debates surrounding it. Each chapter begins with a statement that defines a particular issue, followed by pro and con arguments and an in-depth discussion. Silver places the homosexual struggle in the context of other civil rights movements in the U.S., and also looks at the broader issues of prejudice, discrimination, and tolerance. The author offers a historical overview of how homosexuals have been treated in Western civilization and draws many parallels between the African Americans' fight for equal rights in the '50s and '60s and that of gays and lesbians today. She then explores specific issues of concern to homosexuals: service in the military, fairness in employment and housing, religion, the rights of same-sex partners to marry and adopt children, and the right to health benefits. Silver does an excellent job of presenting information in a clear, objective manner. She also addresses many of the myths and misconceptions about homosexuals. The book ends with a directory of organizations that support and oppose gay and lesbian civil rights, source notes, a list of books and Internet sites for further information, and a thorough index. A book that succeeds on many levels.?Edward Sullivan, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts; First Edition edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531158225
• ISBN-13: 978-0531158227
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,980,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silver Shines, October 15, 2003

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Kiesa (Boulder, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Civil War: The Lesbian and Gay Struggle for Civil Rights (The Lesbian and Gay Experience) (Library Binding)

Diane Silver and her life partner, Patty Doria, joined with Ben Zimmerman to advocate for the inclusion of "sexual orientation" into the civil rights law in Lawrence, Kansas, and successfully made that city the first legally safe place in Kansas for lesbian and gay couples. (Silver's work always goes deep, as with the brilliant essay published in Ms. magazine, in which she wrote, "I Claim the Title of Widow.") This book offers a no-nonsense but emotionally resonant approach to understanding the issues behind the need for civil rights. Anyone, of any orientation, can benefit from the book's clarity; it would be particularly useful for activists and for people who want to share it with their family and friends, so they can understand.