Social Constructions, Electoral Systems, and LGBTQ+ Rights

• In Event: Poster Session: LGBTQI+ Power and Politics & Human Rights
  In Poster Session: Celebrating Fifty Years of Queer Scholarship at APSA Mini-Conference: Poster Session: LGBTQI+ Power and Politics

Abstract

This paper explores LGBTQ+ populations’ substantive representation in the legislature. Why has there been such a significant shift in the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights in European countries in the last decade? Although the literature on LGBTQ+ populations has developed theories about public opinion on LGBTQ+ policies or policy outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations, I add to the literature by bridging public opinion, political institutions, and policy outcomes. I argue that a positive shift in social construction of LGBTQ+ populations is required for policies that accept LGBTQ+ people's rights. Furthermore, I assert that translating social constructions of LGBTQ+ populations to policy outcomes is mediated by electoral systems due to (1) the chances of LGBTQ+ candidates running and winning, (2) the entry of parties into parliament to actively deal with LGBTQ+ issues (e.g., green parties and social democratic parties) and or at least not to oppose LGBTQ friendly bills (e.g., non-religious central-right parties). I examine the theory by TSCS data of 24 European advanced democracies from 2009 to 2021.

Author

• Yeon Soo Park, University of Texas at Dallas