Coalition building and electoral organizing in the passage of anti-discrimination laws : the case of Connecticut

J. Bonelli, L. Simmons

The passage of a civil rights law with protections for individuals based on sexual orientation in Connecticut in 1991 was the culmination of over a decade of activism. Gay rights activists achieved success with the help of many progressive allies. This article traces the development of gay rights organizations and their participation in several important political coalitions locally in Hartford and statewide in Connecticut that helped achieve support for GLBT issues and the civil rights law in particular. The authors argue that a narrow, isolationist focus does not achieve long-term victories for gay rights, but rather that victories are best achieved by developing strong relationships with progressive allies.[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]