Culture Shifting at Warp Speed: How the Law, Public Engagement, and Will & Grace Led to Social Change for LGBT People

Authors

Stacey L. Sobel

Document Type

Article

Abstract

(Excerpt)

This Article concludes that in order for culture shifting to occur, there has to be active engagement in advocacy on multiple fronts. The pace of cultural change would have been significantly slower if advocates had not pursued litigation, legislation, and public engagement strategies. Rule shifting and culture shifting would also have occurred more slowly but for the vigorous efforts of LGBT equality opponents. The competing advocacy efforts on both sides of LGBT issues have resulted in lawsuits and laws limiting the rights of the LGBT community in some instances and granting rights in others. These advocacy efforts created a national conversation which has resulted in a cultural sea change.