Thursday 1 April, 1:15PM – 2:30PM, Room 441, Social Sciences Building and via Zoom*. For queries contact Colloquium Convenor, Prof Justin Hastings

Abstract: This talk argues that gay rights lobbying in Washington, DC acts in ways that reproduce oppression against the LGBTQ community. Gay mainstream lobbying adopts issues, tactics, and business models that punish marginalized queer and trans populations and help heterosexual institutions. This talk is based on the book LGBTQ Lobbying in the United States, forthcoming from Routledge. This research comes as the focus of the LGBTQ rights movement shifts back to the White House and Biden administration and Congress. Conservative judicial opinions are expected from the Supreme Court suggesting a backlash on LGBTQ rights. As a result, Congress and the White House lobbying may well be the focus for federal remedies to LGBTQ discrimination for the majority of the 2020’s.

About the Speaker: Dr Christopher Pepin-Neff is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy in the Department of Government and International Relations. His research interests include theories of the policy process, policy analysis, the role of policy entrepreneurs, and comparative public policy. More specifically, his research looks at policymaking regarding emotional issues such as LGBTQI politics, mass shootings, and the “politics of shark attacks.”

*Join Zoom meeting via this link: https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/83825319629