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

by Chris Bull, Chris Bull

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 1996

About the author

Dr Chris Bull is Head of the Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. He has over 30 years' experience as a teacher, researcher and consultant in the field of tourism, sport and leisure.

Reviews

[Isaac Timm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how a handful of dogmatic megalomaniacs harnessed AIDs and fear of the outsider to fuel their populist political aspirations. Gives an eye opening account of the political movements that led to our current polarization, and the hijacking of Christianity by a fanatic, bigoted fringe. A tragedy that was preached from the television, and played out from Evanston, WY. ,Dog Valley, UT. , and families throughout the US.

The author has professionalism and restraint that I can't claim, a well paced and insightful historical work that details the fight between homosexual and gender right groups and the Evangelical right.