LGBTQ+ Politics in the U.S.

Catalog description

Although atypical sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions appear to have existed throughout human history, the emergence of a coherent LGBTQ+ movement in the United States, and indeed the world, can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots that took place in New York City in June 1969. Since then, members of this community have faced resistance and discrimination, including today in many parts of the country. At the same time, within our lifetimes we have seen not just increased tolerance for these groups, but growing and rapid acceptance as public opinion has shifted in favor of affording queer people legal protections while reducing persistent discrimination against individual members of this group. This includes the advent of a nationwide right to same-sex marriage following the Supreme Court’s rulings in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. However, the fight for gay rights is not over. In recent years, we have seen renewed attempts to outlaw gender affirming care at the state level as well as a number of so-called “bathroom bills” aimed at discriminating against trans individuals. These are just a few examples of the contemporary political issues facing this community that we will learn about in this class as it seeks full equality under the law at both the state and national levels. NOTE: This course includes a required field trip to New York City to visit historic sites and the New York Public Library. Costs will include roundtrip tickets on NJ Transit, entrance to the Leslie Lohman Museum of Art, and meals during the day.