LGBTQ Policy Journal

The Obergefell decision is a case that defines a generation. Marriage equality and LGBTQ rights are poised for a victory untenable for generations past. Just twelve years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Lawrence v. Texas and, as Justice Scalia argued in the dissent, doomed the “end of all morals legislation.” Lawrence […]

During a visit with service members in Afghanistan earlier this year, newly installed Secretary of Defense Aston Carter announced he is “very open-minded” about allowing transgender people to serve in the U.S. military. Carter’s speech suggests the military is open to reconsidering its discriminatory ban on transgender military personnel. But we cannot afford to wait. […]

Mexico has recently seen a sea change in shifts in public opinion regarding LGBT inclusion in public policy. 2013 was the first year a majority of the population surveyed (55%) supported the legalization of marriage equality, and an even higher percent (57%) agreed with allowing LGBT people to serve in the army. Further, over fifty percent […]

The last twenty-five years have seen a near-exponential rise in American acceptance of LGBT equality and in the codification of rights reflecting that equality. The AIDS crisis increased the visibility of gay men, and of gayness itself, in the 1980s and ‘90s. Democratic politicians slowly adopted more pro-gay stances, and Republican leadership used that fact […]

On February 4th the TV show Broad City aired an episode about pegging that sent delighted shock waves throughout the interwebz. “Pegging,” for the uninitiated, is the term coined in 2001 on Dan Savage’s show, “Savage Love” for a woman anally penetrating a man using a strap-on dildo. Gleeful commentary briefly basked in joy: the […]

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was recently named a vice-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, a group focused on shaping policy issues impacting the LGBT community. The Harvard alum is in his first congressional term and spoke with the LGBT Policy Journal about the need for straight men, Latinos and veterans to advocate for the […]

ABSTRACT This article documents evidence of recent discrimination against LGBT public sector workers by analyzing employment discrimination complaints filed with state and local administrative agencies. We present information about 589 complaints of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination filed by public sector workers in 123 jurisdictions. We find that discrimination against LGBT people in the […]

Christine Quinn was the first woman and first openly gay person elected Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn is spending the semester as a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics where she is leading a study group on being ‘a first’ in politics. She is on the board of Athlete Ally, a […]

Based on survey results from over 40,000 respondents, Out Now Marketing estimated the 2013 international LGBT travel market size at over $180 billion. This article provides anecdotal evidence supporting the claim that active engagement with LGBT travellers generates economic benefits for both public and private entities. This article further highlights three particular insights drawn from […]

Abstract The decision to advocate for, and achieve, the inclusion of the term “gender identity” in the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act has been criticized by some scholars and activists as a mistake in strategy for the transgender movement. This paper first examines the reasoning and strategies of transgender advocates […]

ABSTRACT This paper examines and dismantles the body of claims used to exclude LGBTQ individuals from fostering and adopting children. LGBTQ individuals continue to face stigma and discrimination in the United States, including in the child welfare system, which significantly shapes their views of family and society. These experiences of marginality may actually enhance their […]

As the Supreme Court sends its strongest signal yet that full marriage equality is coming to the United States, President Obama sat down last week with Buzzfeed News’ Ben Smith and Chris Geidner where he predicted a favorable outcome for same-sex couples this spring: “My sense is that the Supreme Court is about to make […]