Queer Wars

by Dennis Altman, Jonathan Symons

The claim that �LGBT rights are human rights� encounters fierce opposition in many parts of the world, as governments and religious leaders have used resistance to �LGBT rights� to cast themselves as defenders of traditional values against neo-colonial interference and western decadence.

Queer Wars explores the growing international polarization over sexual rights, and the creative responses from social movements and activists, some of whom face murder, imprisonment or rape because of their perceived sexuality or gender expression.

This book asks why sexuality and gender identity have become so vexed an issue between and within nations, and how we can best advocate for change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, LGBT, Politics

178 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2016

About the author

Dennis Altman is a Professorial Fellow in Human Security at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and was Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard.

He has written eleven books exploring sexuality and politics, and their inter-relationship in Australia, the United States, and now globally. These include The Homosexualization of America, AIDS and the New Puritanism, Rehearsals for Change, The Comfort of Men (a novel), and his memoir Defying Gravity. His book Global Sex (Chicago University Press) has been translated into five languages. Most recently he published Gore Vidal’s America (Polity), 51st State? (Scribe)and The End of the Homosexual? (UQP).

In 2008, Altman was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Reviews

[Berengaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
The original English: Queer Wars

short review for busy readers: A brief, lightly-academic overview (from 2016) of the global gay rights movement in the last 30 years. Touches on the situation in many different countries, as well as the problems and progress of global activism and awareness. Written in a slightly pro, but mostly neutral, tone. Exhaustive source lists. Recommended for casual readers as well as for journalists/researchers/bloggers.

in detail:
The German title "Queer Wars: Successes and Threats of a Global Movement" is a very good summation of this slender tome meant to give an introductory overview of the political end of the global gay rights movement.

Due to its brevity, it's meant for the casual, rather than the highly informed, reader, who will probably already know everything discussed.

A great majority of the book is written in a readable fashion, and although it does have a pro gay rights bias, it is written so neutrally, that even those unsure of their feelings about the topic will find little to put them off.

The Australian authors are also highly sensitive to differences in cultural outlooks worldwide, which will make the book appealing to readers in all countries, not just western ones.

Topics explored include:

*Political Homophobia. That is, why governments use anti-gay rhetoric for impersonal nationalistic and political reasons.

*The problems inherent in claiming gay rights are human rights.

*What all anti-gay rhetoric, be it religious or political, goes back to - namely values about families and children - and why the large focus in the last decade on gay marriage has aggravated more backlash globally than progress.

*LGBTQ+ is a distinctly western way of seeing sexuality and gender. It doesn't apply in many cultures which have their own way of defining. The global push for specificly LGBTQ+ rights is, therefore, often seen as culturally imperialistic or simply inapplicable in many localities, causing backlash and rejection.

*How the global AIDS crisis helped gay communities worldwide in that it forced -- for national health reasons -- conservative societies to address sexual issues and education and consider alternate sexualities publicly, often for the first time.

*How and why the strategies of western activists actually do more damage than good in non-western countries, and what strategies and approaches would work better.
(Example here: US President Obama asking Kenya's president outright to drop national anti-gay laws only lead to Kenya sharpening them.)

and several more equally as interesting.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a gay woman becoming increasingly interested in the current climate of LGBT rights and culture, this book was a perfect look at the way our world is shaping the dialogue of human and LGBT rights. Clear and concise, Queer Wars explores what it means to have 'human rights' and the increasing polarisation of countries' views.

What really stood out in this book was that it wasn't idealistic. I frequently hear people say that the world is in a great place for gay rights, and things are looking up. Queer Wars definitely removes itself from that ideal view. It was almost refreshing to be shown how things are going backwards in many countries (see Russia, India, many African countries), and how the ideal Western idea of LGBT rights and acceptance is unlikely to come about any time soon worldwide.

With a good balance of fact, analysis and suggestion, it was entirely readable and very interesting. Usually I struggle with non-fiction books, but this one really gripped me and kept me interested. My only criticism is the section on economics, which went right over my head with a lot of jargon, but still made it's point.

Ultimately, Queer Wars is a great look at the contemporary understanding of LGBT rights globally, while focusing on countries not normally explored in mainstream discourse. I'd definitely recommend this for anyone who wants a good introduction to the way LGBT rights are being shaped in our world.

[Bob H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an overview, somewhat sketchy, of the current state of LGBT matters in an international context. Its early chapters, esp. Setting the Agenda, a kind of long premise, is dry, academic and a bit wordy. It does talk about how a global movement has emerged, although the discussion is mainly about very recent times -- and is chopped up by locale and issue rather than as a linear timeline, so it's a little hard to follow.

The book is better when it talks about the commonalities with evolving international humanitarian norms, starting in its Queer Rights as Human Rights. Whoever wrote this and subsequent chapters seems to have a good understanding of international law, and is valuable in pointing out how an exotic issue found a nexus with post-WWII concepts of a common international understanding of civil rights generally, of states' obligations to their citizens in matters like due process, and linking to subsequent issues like feminism and sexual expression.

The book also points up resulting complexities and backlash. Some of the anti-LGBT pushback, we're told, is as much about political or religious opportunism -- dictators, nationalist parties or revolutionary regimes seeking convenient scapegoats -- as it is about traditional mores in different parts of the world. Economic insecurity and post-colonial resentment is also a factor.

As to "What Is To Be Done?" (I wonder if the authors are aware this was an earlier Russian theme, a title of Chernyshevsky's and Lenin's writing), the concluding chapters have some admonitions to LGBT activists. Polarization -- by which they mean hardening attitudes in parts of the world, and acceptance elsewhere -- will complicate any responses. Attempts by well-meaning, or pedantic, Western media celebrities or LGBT organizations may make it hard for local activists, we're told, and attempts to peg Western aid to LGBT rights may be counterproductive and unfair. Also, acceptance in some countries may come from local needs, for instance, aspirant EU nations like Croatia or Malta wanting to integrate with their new partners. Change may also be more subtle and gradual in countries like what the authors call Confucian Asia, where LGBT self-proclamation may not synch with a larger and more subtle polity which may still become more tolerant.

This may be the main value in this uneven, but sometimes perceptive, book. It's going to be a difficult, complicated and gradual process, they seem to tell us, and it would be well to plan accordingly.

[Rhiannon Bevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times very repetitive, but goes into a lot of detail about the nuances of international queer politics that I'd never considered before. The section about the gay rights movements in different countries was particularly good I think.

Consider me a bit more educated.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting discussion of the globalization of equal rights movements for LGBT folk. Worth reading if you want an overview of these movements around the world.

While this is said of South Korea, it could be about any oppressed minority in any country:

‘Oppression is real and ubiquitous, yet invisible enough to make calls for advocating homosexuals’ rights look “excessive” or “privileging”.’

An interesting tidbit about Spain:

During Franco’s regime homosexuals (mostly males) were sent to special prisons called galerías de invertidos (‘galleries of deviants’)…

Apparently, they were sending people to prison for it in the mid-20th century…

Spain legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, the third country to do so.

…but still legalized same sex marriage 10 years before us!

Of course, there's a huge discussion devoted to homophobia and bigotry as linked to conservatism and fundamentalism.

The growth of evangelical Christianity and fundamentalist Islam and Hinduism in many parts of the world means that polarization around sexual rights is unlikely to diminish soon. What Clifford Bob terms the ‘Baptist–Burqua network’ actually includes almost all major fundamentalist religions, which can form bizarre alliances in their eagerness to oppose sexual rights. International organizing to oppose gay rights –and, more broadly, anything that suggests the blurring of gender lines or acceptance of sexual diversity –has paralleled the growth of international gay organizing. American-based organizations defending ‘family values’ have been particularly active in promoting an antihomosexual line both in international fora and within a number of overseas countries. Since 1997 the World Congress of Families, a grouping of a number of rightwing religious organizations, has heavily promoted ‘traditional family values’ through international conferences and support for anti-homosexual groups around the world. They have built strong alliances with religious groups in Russia, particularly with those legislators and clergy who have been promoting anti-homosexual laws. ‘The Russians’, according to Larry Jacobs of the Congress, ‘might be the Christian saviours of the world.’

This is so disturbing. So messed up. So ironic. Yet, somehow, so fitting.

The development of homophobic rhetoric and legislation in Uganda is often linked to the work of American pastor Scott Lively, a born-again Christian who has campaigned against abortion and homosexuality through a number of US-based organizations. In 2009 Lively was brought to Uganda by local evangelists, and used the opportunity to encourage official homophobia, resulting in the first draft of the anti-homosexuality bill. How far Lively is responsible for this and subsequent bills is unclear, but in 2012 he was sued in the US Federal Court by Sexual Minorities Uganda for encouraging persecution and ‘crimes against humanity’; at the time of writing, several courts have upheld the constitutionality of the charges and he faces trial. The use of American law to limit the activities of antigay activists overseas is likely to be contested through a number of legal channels, and suggests new steps towards using the legal system within western countries to limit global homophobic networks.

Good god. The more I read this kind of stuff, the more I'm led to believe that conservatives are in the wrong as a group. I don't know.

I mean, this is about equality for all. Human rights. Don't we believe all men are created equal?

Inevitably the stress on the most obvious examples of persecution means that it is easy to overlook the myriad of subtle ways in which discrimination continues, and that many homosexuals internalize this discrimination in ways that restrict them in living fulfilling lives.

This is key. It's why people are for equality.

So, this is where we stand today:

As the successes of the gay rights movement in some places have been mirrored by increasing homophobic repression in others, the result has been growing international polarization.

Because of this, we have to be cautious how we move forward.

Opponents of gay rights continue to make similar claims: that liberal treatment of sexuality violates religious traditions and national values, and will lead to family and social breakdown. Sexual minorities continue to be targets of violence and political scapegoating across much of the world. In many cases, efforts to promote or impose gay rights have seemed to play into the hands of oppressive governments. The reality of international polarization and the sensitivities about western imperialism in those countries that have only recently escaped colonial domination raise a real question for activists: how best to promote human rights and liberation within a divided world.

So what do we do?

Unfortunately, there are no simple answers to these questions, and any effective international engagement must be nuanced, case specific and aware of the limited capacity that outsiders have to intervene in any community. If we value pluralism and the political autonomy of communities that are still recovering from the injustices of colonialism, we should also be wary of any attempt to impose western standards.

But what can do?

Since international campaigners are likely to misunderstand the kinds of changes that will gain local acceptance, the international effort should focus on universal protection against criminalization and violations of personal safety. If international consensus can be built around these minimal protections, this will support more transformative local changes without dictating them.

This is a difficult issue. It’s hard to know what to do. But we have to keep standing up for what we know is right - and at the same time be sensitive to how we approach other cultures.

Thanks to NetGalley and Polity for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Williesun · Rating 3 out of 5]

This did not turn out to be the kind of book I expected it to be and not necessarily in a positive way. It does give background info on the various battles the queer community had to face and still does but I also didn't always find it concise or well structured.

I understand how trying to press the whole evolution of LGBTQ-rights movement into this short a book has to be selective and leave stuff out but at times I was a bit confused as to how it was selecting what it was talking about and what it was omitting.

[Síofra · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird vibes......
interesting book but the authors try to engage with decolonial concerns/perspectives but utterly fail. they come across intensely paternalistic.

decolonise ur mind before trying to write about so many different countries' culture/history/responses to queerness. especially as two white american men. bad vibes. no self awareness

they specifically try to address islamophobia in one section and still fall into islamophobic dog whistles/talking points - just not good. all the way thru the book. in relation to every corner of the world 😭😭

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Ist es möglich, dass die internationale Gemeinschaft die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte fördern kann, auch wenn Kultur, Religion und Tradition ihnen entgegengesetzt werden? Allzu oft wird diese Frage von Menschen aus dem Westen gestellt, die sich nur ungenügend mit ihrer eigenen Geschichte beschäftigt haben."

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altman and Symons interrogate the problems of queer movements in an international arena. They look at the rise of queer rights across the Western world and the concurrent rise in anti-gay movements in other parts of the world to understand how the issues of colonialism, nationalism and imperialism are related.

"One of the distinguishing features of the gay movement, unlike the other radical groups of the period, was that it created not only communities but also markets. The 1970s saw a flourishing across the rich world of both homosexual activism and an expanding commercial world." 39

"Making visible what already exists is a powerful form of political activism: in some ways it underlines the strategy of non-violent protest, whose tactics leaders such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King used to point to the discrepancy between the rhetoric and reality of colonial and racist supremacy."40

"In many countries the AIDS epidemic opened up possibilities for organizing and resourcing queer activism, which could be safely distanced by organizing around HIV information and prevention." 44-45

"The development of a new language of human rights in the 1970s coincided with the rebirth of feminism as a major force, and the two came together through various national and international processes to create a new concept of "Sexual rights."85

"During these battles both Croats and Serbs adopted a hyper-masculinist nationalism, which built on ethnic and religious rivalries across most of ex-Yugoslavia. Nationalist rivalries were often reflected both in attitudes towards homosexuality, and in homosexual relationships themselves;...the Yugoslav wars were the first in contemporary times when male rape was recognized as a major form of violence, and its documentation reminds us that rape is more about the assertion of power than about sexual gratification." 95-96

"A backlash can occur when there is a perceived shift in values and policies which unsettles the status quo and leads to a conservative desire to confront changes they fear." 99

"What Clifford Bob terms the "Baptist-Burqua network' includes the fundamentalist strands of almost all major religions, which can form bizarre alliances in their eagerness to oppose sexual rights." 104

"International organizing to oppose gay rights-and more broadly, anything that suggests the blurring of gender lines or acceptance of sexual diversity-has paralleled the growth of international gay organizing."105

"Russia's homophobic rhetoric is part of sophisticated international public diplomacy company, which seeks to narrow the validity of human rights to those that are consistent with 'universal traditional values.' Through this explicit rejection of sexuality rights, Putin has sought to form international alliances with those who critique secular human rights from religious or collectivist traditions, and to encourage allies to use the issue of sexual rights to distinguish themselves from the west." 115-116

"Allying with both Islamic and Christian opponents of gay rights adds to Russia's credibility in many parts of the world, and helps define it as representing an alternative to western values." 116-117

"As in the case of whaling, discussion of sexuality is complicated by claims that national identity and traditions are being compromised by cultural imperialism." 117-118

"Rahul Rao describes the plight of third world queers, trapped between homophobic nationalist governments and the frequently misguided interventions of the 'gay international', with a phrase that he borrows from Hannah Ardent's account of Jews in World War II choosing between 'malevolent enemies and condescending friends." 144

[John Medlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queer Wars is an academic text that is fairly easy to read through, which is something I always appreciate. The text was careful in its consideration of Queer communities outside of the Euro-American-centric mindset. It successfully captured the difficulty in combating such a deeply rooted idea such as sexual and gender identity as well as homo/transphobia. Especially when such things are so closely tied to the economy, religion, and institutions such as the family. There is almost a sense of tragedy reading this text in 2023. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in activism and the ever-evolving landscape that is queer identity.

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really brief exploration of the topic. Starts off engaging, bringing together different perspectives and viewpoints, but gets slightly repetitive and without going in-depth into any point. Uses examples from different countries for arguments which creates interesting case studies, but as mentioned, creates a touch-and-go experience for readers.

Still a great introductory book for people interested in the topic. Especially important for LGBTQ activists who need to understand the repercussions of a hard-approach in attaining equality.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly brief look at the historical and modern political and polarising effect on sexual politics, with a focus of course, being the title on homosexual and transgender issues, and actually showing the position of Australia.
It was good to see a book not US centric, and it did have a solid factual foundation, all be it that it did lack some passion and felt a little dry in areas.
Solid, but nothing that will change me in any great respect.

[WallofText · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introductory overview over the history of Queer Rights and their advancement around the world. The insight into global embracing and rejection of Queer Rights is compelling and gives one a heightened appreciation for the progress made in the last 50 years. The book also provides ample sources to inspire independent research. As the book is short, it doesn’t manage to go into more depth regarding the topic.

[sophie adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5* enjoyed this book for sure! It's a comprehensive and digestible short book that grapples with the question of how to move the LGBTQ+ rights movement forward amidst a highly polarised world, particularly interesting for those of us who struggle with the debate around the universality of human rights vs cultural relativism

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for generalised educational purposes which discuss laws, politics, social history and revolutions throughout modern times which relate to queer rights. Not too dry, informative and straightforward. I like how it considered the subject on a global scale. 4/5.

[G4ngG4ng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit den groessten Teil Inhalte von 2012 darstellen ist es jetzt schon wieder nicht mehr aktuell. Trotzdem war nett und kurz

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the history of legislation regarding gay rights, and of the current global climate. I would have liked more analysis within the chapters of the book, and I feel that a little more anecdotal detail about some of the key players would have helped readability. Also it can be a little 'death by acronym' at times. Still, it's a quick read, and I appreciated the objective tone and sensitive handling of cultures that do not embrace gay rights.

[Ela The Queer Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really happy I didn’t have to read this book for university. If I had to… getting information out of it would have been so much work.

To me the information was rather superficial (I expected more than an overview) and really, well, messy. Let’s take AIDS for example. It is mentioned in so many chapters and then suddenly it gets its own chapter. I would have liked it more if the book would have been sorted either chronologically or themed or country orientated. But not everything everywhere together.

If you want to get an overview, this might be the book for you.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

[Drew Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and global look at LGBTI rights across different countries and some of the difficulties of approaching social change within nation states. Some great case studies of countries and their stances toward LGBTI people. A must (and very easy to) read guide for anyone interested in the complexities of bringing LGBTI equality to nations such as Russia, Uganda and Malaysia.

[Kennie]

Die deutsche Übersetzung ist gefördert bei bpb für 4,50 Euro erhältlich: http://www.bpb.de/shop/buecher/schrif...

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and interesting call to arms for the LGBTQIA community. An exploration about why homosexual issues are such a hot button debate. A great read for lgbtqia, and allies.