Ulrichs also protested the inhumane treatment of homosexuals and opposed prohibitions against homosexuality, such as sodomy laws. It s not that gay people didn t exist before this, but a political movement didn t exist before Ulrichs and his work, Hunt says. Hunt s 241-page book, which focuses on the liberation movement of the gay man, is written in encyclopedia form, highlighting the movement s leaders and groups, the status of gay rights in various countries, laws throughout history that have attempted to thwart homosexuals and victorious court cases that have granted homosexuals rights. The book also includes a timeline of events outlining the political movement from its inception in 1864 to 1999, the 30th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Hunt researched the history through biographies and manuscripts of movement leaders, medical literature about homosexuality, personal interviews and through the Internet.
Hunt hopes the dictionary serves as an important measure of the progress of the gay rights movement.
I think it s especially important for gays, lesbians and bisexuals to understand the origin and history of the movement, he says. It gives us an idea of what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. Hunt, who has taught gay and lesbian politics at Ohio University since 1984, holds a position in the College of Arts and Sciences . This page prepared by S. Rutledge on March 30th 2000. Modified March 30th 2000.