Political participation predictors of homosexuals in the gay/lesbian rights movement

An examination of the gay/lesbian rights movement demonstrates that many of McAdam\u27s concepts from the political process model are applicable. Concepts such as social control, organization/community strength, collective attributions all help to explain the degree of political participation. Variables unique to this analysis include the use of identity, media exposure, and perceptions specific to gays and lesbians. These include perceptions of government responsiveness to AIDS and having a say in government. Data collection resulted in 306 respondents completing questionnaires regarding their political activity, perceptions, and other predictor variables. Data analysis reveals that the model proposed fits the data well explaining between 47% and 53% of the variance for the three sample types. Future analysis should expand work in this area by using alternative methods and assessing the importance of informal networks

\u3cem\u3eHealing the Infertile Family: Strengthening Your Relationship in the Search of Parenthood\u3c/em\u3e by Gay Becker

Reviews the book Healing the Infertile Family: Strengthening Your Relationship in the Search for Parenthood, by Gay Becker

Sexual Abuse of Intimate Partners in Homosexual Relationships

It is estimated that more than 7 million women in the United States have been sexually assaulted by an intimate partner. Women who have experienced intimate partner sexual assault (IPSA) report physical violence that is twice as severe when compared to women who have not experienced IPSA. There is a strong relationship between severe physical intimate partner violence, IPSA, and intimate terrorism/coercive control, which is explored throughout this chapter. In situations of severe abuse, abusive men may perpetrate IPSA as a mechanism of intimate terrorism/coercive control. Intimate terrorism involves a pattern of abusive tactics employed to control and manipulate the survivor’s actions, relationships, and activities. Coercive control describes a pattern of violence, intimidation, isolation, and control where the main goal is to degrade, isolate, and deprive women of their rights to physical security, dignity, and respect. This chapter presents a conceptual argument situated within the context of coercive control. It explores how the detrimental emotional, physical health, and behavioral consequences of IPSA minimize survivors’ capacity to live full, autonomous lives, and help to perpetuate abusive men’s domination. This chapter also analyzes how diminished help-seeking among IPSA survivors exacerbates coercive control limiting survivors’ ability to keep themselves safe from harm