ABSTRACT
It is undeniable that lesbian and gay people-at least in progressive western cultureshave made unprecedented social, political, and legal strides in the past few decades. Prior to that, same sex sexual desire was viewed as a perversion, and acting on these desires could make one a social pariah. Clandestine sexual experiences (the only ones really possible) could mean imprisonment, familial shame, unemployment, and community ostracism. Political and cultural upheaval has swept through civil life, and gay and lesbian couples have become increasingly mainstream, forming families sanctioned and supported by state governments.
