Craig A Rimmermans The Lesbian and Gay Movements - Book Report/Review Example

Book review The Lesbian and Gay movements: Assimilation or Liberation by Craig A. Rimmerman. Introduction Craig A. Rimmerman’s, The Lesbian and Gay movements: Assimilation or Liberation can aptly be regarded as a comprehensive treatise that explores realities concerning the Lesbian and gay movements in America. Analysing this issue on can see that it has been resulted for searing conflicts for the past few years and raising the puzzling question whether to embrace assimilationist or liberationist strategies. The author describes the content of the book in its review when he wrote thus, “This new book explores this dilemma in both contemporary and historical contexts, describing the sources of these conflicts, to what extent the conflicts have been resolved, and how they might be resolved in future” (Rimmerman: Review). This book is an attempt from the part of the author to unveil ‘what constitutes movement “effectiveness” and how “effective” the assimilationist and liberationist strategies have been in three contentious policy arenas: the military ban, same-sex marriage, and AIDS’ (Rimmerman: Review). It also evaluates the actions implemented during the time of the presidents Regan, Bush and Clinton; congress; and the Supreme Court to this issue. It has also been observed that these institutions strictly observed the grievances of this movement. The author proposes the viewpoint that Summary of the material The book entitled The Lesbian and Gay Movements: Assimilation or Liberation? By Craig A. Rimmerman endow with a detailed evaluation of the lesbian and gay movement in the United States. Author had made a conscious effort to explore the conflicts over whether to accept assimilationst or liberationist strategies. One of the major arguments that put forward by the author is that the effectiveness of the assimilationist and liberationist strategies in the three controversial issues; military ban, same sex marriage and AIDS. In case of structure and argument, Rimmerman’s thesis is simple and clearly focused the subject that both liberationist and assimilationist strategies are needed for the political and cultural development of the state. Researches and studies have proved that many state legislatures and municipal governments have included this issue in their civil right laws and citizens voted for the policies and bills that addressing the rights of lesbian, bisexual and gay citizens. The book evaluates the George W. Bush’s presidency with a look to assessing how political and social opportunities have discussed the lesbian and gay movement’s strategies. Here reader cannot avoid the fact that the book also needs a feminist perspective in the issue of assimilationist and liberationist strategies in lesbian and gay movements. The book has its own strength in highly fascinating and assembled ideas and the reader can get some notable information about the issue. Even though reader can find structured and well assembled facts in the book, he would face some serious problems in connecting the thesis and the rest of the book. The book lacks detailed studies in some areas and the reader feels some problems to comprehend the ideas. In chapter two one can find the background study of the two perspectives like assimilationist and liberationist strategies in lesbian and gay movements. Author argues that “One of the central goals of the early lesbian gay movements in the United States was to improve the media depiction of homosexuality” (Rimmerman 14). But the evidences and background studies that the author given in this book are not sufficient for the reader. The study requires more detailed approach in this issue this limited information makes barrier in effective comprehension. Evaluation of the book In considering the book The Lesbian and Gay Movements: Assimilation or liberation by the noted writer Craig A. Rimmerman has clearly analysed the problems associated with these movements in America. The writer put forward three areas of movements- lesbians, gay and same sex marriage. In examining these three areas it can be seen that the society underestimates these movements with moral and health issues. If a close study is put forward in America it can be seen that “the lesbian and gay movements have achieved tangible accomplishments in the political arena at all government, but especially in communities throughout the United States” (Rimmerman 3). But as in consideration with Politics it can be seen again in America that, “Fewer than one –tenth of 1 percent of all elected officials in the United States of America are openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual; very few transgendered people have been elected to public office” (Rimmerman 3). Even though these movements are marginalised from the main stream these are gaining control in the political, economic, and cultural arena of America. Sure gay and lesbians have more chance than the transgendered persons in the society. It is nice to say that the Pulitzer Prize award winner of the year 1998, Michael Cunningham, was a well known gay. Sure they are gaining some public attention in the society. In analysing the book it can be said that this book is the only available book concerning all aspects of lesbians, gay and bisexual in American community. The book clearly examines the both positive and negative sides of the movement. While reading through this book one understands that the author was not endeavouring to assess ‘the limitations of embracing either an assimilationist or a liberationist strategy exclusively’ (Rimmerman 10), instead he identifies that ‘both approaches have worked in important and complementary ways throughout the movements’ histories and are not mutually exclusive’(Rimmerman 10). This is quite notable that the author winds up his study by proposing that both assimilationist and liberationist strategies will have vital roles in the coming future. Rimmerman has remarked that the assimilationist and liberationist movements can certainly bring out tremendous changes in national, state and local levels. It is quite praiseworthy that the author has not spared the negative impacts of these strategies. The writer has identified that these strategies are insufficient for political and social change. Therefore, one can infer that the key thesis the book is advancing through the proper way and one feels that the author has succeeded in presenting and proving his thesis with accurate evidences. Analysing Chapter three of the book reader can feel l confidence in its content. It is clear for a reader that the author succeeded to explore some terms related with the effectiveness of assimilationist and liberationist strategies among the lesbians and gay men movements. Bush administration has shown its passiveness in AIDS researches and treatments in the initial time. As the author comments “The initial unwillingness of Congress and the Reagan and Bush administrations to fund basic AIDS research and provide treatment to HIV positive individuals to led to the creation of a self –help AIDS activist movement” (Rimmerman, Wald and Wilcox 100). Some other areas the research reader may lose his confidence in its content because Rimmerman did not give much emphasis on the current status of civil right laws and policies for lesbians and gay men movements in the United States. Supreme Court and many State governments passed laws against homosexuality and same sex marriage and here the reader can feel the need of an analysis on various civil right laws in this issue. In chapter four entitled “Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell”: Policy Perspectives on the Military Ban gives a close analysis on policy perspectives on the military ban and the problem is that author made arguments both for and against the concept of homosexuality in military settings and here reader may feel confusion and face difficulty in connecting the thesis. Author remarks; “Homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The presence in the military environment of persons who engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate a propensity to engage in homosexual conduct, seriously impairs the accomplishment of the military mission” (Rimmerman 132). In short some evidences in the study underlines author’s main argument, but some areas the reader may feel lack of confidence. The author makes an evaluation of the ‘Don’t ask Don’t tell’ policy of the American army. In order to make his argument effective he presents various proofs and openly claims that he is supporting homosexuality. He begins his arguments by attempting to define the term “bisexual.” According to him, “The term "bisexual" means a person who engages in, attempts to engage in, has a propensity to engage in, or intends to engage in homosexual and heterosexual acts” (Rimmerman 157). It also shows that he has attempted a very systematic study in his book. His concept of sexuality is very clear when he openly stated that, “After some years of uncertainty, I have arrived at the conclusion that my sexual preferences are homosexual as opposed to heterosexual. I have also concluded that my sexual preferences will in no way interfere with my Air Force duties, as my preferences are now open” (Rimmerman 71).‎ Furthermore, he assures that sexuality and duties are different and one will never interfere on the other. One can see his views are controversial and many disagreeing with his perceptions. Even then, the author proposes various proofs to help support his arguments. The claim of the author is significant to evaluate his presentation of evidence when he said, “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America” (Rimmerman 132). The observation of the author about the homosexuality in military service is remarkable when he said, “The presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability” (Rimmerman 156). This statement unveils the fact that the author was totally aware of the problems of homosexuality in military service even when he personally supported homosexuality and claimed that he could manage sexuality and military services together. Conclusion When it concludes, it is evident that the book entitled The Lesbian and Gay Movements : Assimilation or Liberation? Provide a clear and focussed thesis that both Assimilationist and liberationist strategies are needed for the political progress of the nation. Author made a detailed study in the issue of lesbian and gay men movement and its political and social impacts in the United States. Some of the evidences that provided by the author are underlined the major argument but some of them lacks confidence. Author neglects some crucial areas like analysis of various civil rights laws towards lesbians and gay men movements and reader may fail to find a firm stand from the side of the author in the issue of policy perspectives on military ban. Works Cited: Rimmerman, A. Craig. The lesbian and gay movements: assimilation or liberation. Illustrated Edition. Westview Press, 2008. Print. Rimmerman, A. Craig., Wald, D. Kenneth., Wilcox, Clyde. The politics of gay rights. University of Chicago Press, 2000. Print. Read More