Conference paper/presentation details
Title
Faith-sexuality intersections and the rhetorics of tolerance : the case of LGBT equalities initiatives in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Description
This paper addresses the policies and practices of moderation within the context of local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, focusing on the ways in which conflicts and divergences around the equalities agenda are being managed. It looks in particular at the relationship between faith-based and sexuality-related equalities work, as this is a site of particular tension within the equalities field. In Northern Ireland, the way in which sexualities equalities work is structured along sectarian lines provides an interesting spin on notions of moderation and its opposite. We look at the ways in which certain LGBT equalities-related activities are seen as extreme, whilst others are easier to justify. We also discuss the trend towards notions of lesbian and gay people as ‘good gay citizens’ and the ways in which this discourse of assimilation is challenged from within the LGBT ‘communities’. The paper is based on findings from a large Economic and Social Research Council-funded project which utilised qualitative research methods, including innovative Action Learning Sets which enabled us to directly observe the processes by which a rhetorics of tolerance is produced.
Language
English
Primary contributor
Author
Surya
Monro
Additional contributors
Co-author
Diane
Richardson
Co-author
Ann
McNulty
Additional details
Is this item peer reviewed?
No
Other information
Conference organised by the Economic and Social Research Council and hosted by the University of Huddersfield
Date of publication
29 June 2011
Conference event title
Rhetorics of moderation : politics, religion and the market
Conference location
Huddersfield
Conference date
29 June 2011
