Perfect Enemies: The Battle Between the Religious Right and the Gay Movement [Paperback]

Chris Bull (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1568331789 | ISBN-13: 978-1568331782 | Publication Date: May 23, 2001 | Edition: Updated Edition

This comprehensive account of two arch-nemeses analyzes the surprisingly similar strategies, rhetoric, and skillful grassroots organizational efforts that have landed their conflict in the center of political debate and that continue to influence electoral politics from state houses to the White House. In the new paperback edition, the authors expand their examination of the gay rights debate to cover the controversy of gays and lesbians in the armed forces; statewide antigay initiatives in Oregon, Colorado, and Maine; recent debates about same-sex marriages and the legal recognition of gay relationships; the surge in hate crimes; and the religious right's struggle to regroup behind President George W. Bush.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fascinating and remarkably balanced study of one of the culture wars' most actively contested fronts. (Kirkus Reviews )

About the Author

Chris Bull is the former Washington correspondent for The Advocate, where he covered national politics. He currently is a freelance journalist living in Washington, D.C. He is the recipient of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's 1994 honors for his coverage of gay youth suicide, and is the editor of Witness to Revolution: The Advocate Reports on Gay and Lesbian Politics. John Gallagher has been a national correspondent for The Advocate for the past five years, where his reporting on regional and national politics has received numerous awards. Previously, he was a reporter at Time magazine for seven years. He lives near San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Madison Books; Updated Edition edition (May 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568331789
• ISBN-13: 978-1568331782
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,699,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally in paperback!, August 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Perfect Enemies: The Battle Between the Religious Right and the Gay Movement (Paperback)

This is an extremely well-researched and well-written account of the gay movement over the last ten years. In thoughtful and accessible prose, the authors chronicle the major battles, players, and shifts in strategy and fortune. Looking at political and legal fights at the local, state, and national level, they examine why some were won and others lost as the gay movement confronted an increasingly sophisticated and well-financed religious right. As a teacher of American history and the history of sexuality, I've used excerpts from the hardcover edition in my classes. I'm excited that it is finally out in paperback.