Over the past half century, the gay rights movement in the West has succeeded beyond its wildest dreams. It is widely assumed that its victories are now secure.

Ronan McCrea’s important new book argues that, in fact, the forces that drove the advance of gay rights -such as the wider cultural shift towards greater sexual freedom – are weakening while a host of political, cultural and demographic changes mean that sources of opposition, both old and new, are gaining strength.

The gay rights movement appears ill-equipped to meet this challenge. Rather than protecting the unprecedented freedom that has been won, campaigners have fallen prey to the complacent assumption that they are on the winning side of history. This has led the movement into hubris: expanding its aims and making new enemies while refusing to entertain the notion that elements of the gay rights revolution, such an over-prioritisation of sexual freedom, may be both political liabilities and impediments to true flourishing for gay men.

If the gay rights revolution is to endure, a fundamental reconsideration of its goals, its history and its limits is required. Anyone wanting to understand the future challenges faced by gay rights needs to read this timely warning.

Praise

‘This timely book asks challenging questions of the gay rights movement. Whether we agree or disagree, all members of the LGBTI+ community and our allies need to consider the author’s analysis’
Leo Vardakar

‘Ronan McCrea has written a brilliantly argued book that mixes pragmatism and principle seamlessly. He shows that standing up for unlimited personal freedom is perilous in practice and unwise in principle, and that such a stance does not even serve the well-being of those who argue for it. His focus is on gay rights, but the lessons he offers apply across many areas of our collective social, cultural, and political lives. People engaged in the struggle for personal liberation should pay close attention.’
Barry Schwartz, professor emeritus at Swarthmore College, author of The Paradox of Choice and the co-author of Practical Wisdom

‘A fabulously timely book… A convincing wakeup call… I urge you to read it.’
Stephen Fry