Opportunity and Threat in International LGBT Rights Activism

Despite major advances in LGBTQ rights, queer people continue to live under oppression in many parts of the world. For those fighting to improve the lives of LGBTQ people around the world, international governance structures,... [ view full abstract ]

Despite major advances in LGBTQ rights, queer people continue to live under oppression in many parts of the world. For those fighting to improve the lives of LGBTQ people around the world, international governance structures, such as the United Nations, provide an opportunity to codify these rights at the international level. On the other side, conservative "pro-family" and anti-gay groups also access global government– where their liberal counterparts see opportunity, they see threat. How does opportunity and threat shape the internationalization of domestic contests of LGBTQ rights? 

Focusing on the cases of Poland and Uganda, this study seeks to how threat and opportunity shape social movements– and why international recognition for LGBTQ rights does not always mean a positive outcome for queer people in these countries.