Out and Running

A rich and compelling analysis of the political representation of gay and lesbian elected candidates and elected officials within government institutions, especially at the state level. In addressing this timely and important theme, Haider-Markel does well in placing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement's political and policy concerns within their appropriate historical and contemporary contexts. This work should be of great interest to students, teachers, and activists. -- Craig A. Rimmerman, The Joseph P. DiGangi Endowed Chair in the Social Sciences and professor of public policy and political science, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Out and Running is a landmark work by one of the nation's leading scholars of LGBT politics. Donald Haider-Markel draws on a rich variety of analyses to illuminate the fortunes of gay and lesbian politicians in the electoral and policy arenas. His book is essential reading not only for anyone interested in LGBT politics but also for anyone interested in broader issues of political representation. -- Paul R. Brewer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and author of Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights This book fills an important gap in the literature on LGBT politics, particularly given the dramatic growth in the numbers of openly LGBT candidates for public office. It presents a number of interesting findings about the strategies of LGBT candidates for state legislative office, the conditions under which they run and get elected, and most importantly, how electing LGBT legislators helps efforts to shape policies favored by the LGBT rights movement. More broadly, it contributes significantly to our understanding of the impacts of descriptive representation on public policies for marginalized groups as well as political backlashes against them. -- Gary Mucciaroni, Temple University

Presents a systematic analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) political representation that explores the dynamics of state legislative campaigns and the influence of lesbian and gay legislators in the state policymaking process."Out and Running" is the first systematic analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) political representation that explores the dynamics of state legislative campaigns and the influence of lesbian and gay legislators in the state policymaking process. By examining state legislative elections from 1992 to 2006 and state policymaking from 1992 to 2009, Donald Haider-Markel suggests that the LGBT community can overcome hurdles and win elections; and, once in office, these officials can play a critical role in the policy representation of the community. However, he also discovers that there are limits to where and when LGBT candidates can run for office and that, while their presence in office often enhances policy representation, it can also create backlash. But even with some of these negative consequences, "Out and Running" provides compelling evidence that gays and lesbians are more likely to see beneficial legislation pass by increasing the number of LGBT state legislators. Indeed, grassroots politics in the states may allow the LGBT community its best opportunity for achieving its policy goals.