Queering Statistics: The Rise and Effects of Quantification in LGBT Social Movements

• In Event: 540 - Section on Science, Knowledge, and Technology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 08. Science in Political Debate

Abstract

This paper will analyze the reasons for, characteristics of and results of the increased creation and deployment of quantitative information as a tactic by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) social movement organizations and think tanks in the United States in the 2000s. Drawing upon theories of expertise, political process theories and science and technology studies, this paper will use archival and interview materials to describe how the political structure and culture at the time limited political opportunities for these organizations to use legislative or mass mobilization mechanisms for political change.

The use of health statistics in particular reflected LGBTQ SMOs’ adaptation to the wider governmental and cultural shifts towards “evidence-based” policy and health promotion. SMOs active at this time created an effective claim that homophobia experienced in domains previously thought of as outside of health (for example, criminal justice, marriage policy and employment discrimination) were in fact causes of health disparities. Further, facility with discourses of quantification and evidence allowed leaders of LGBTQ SMOs to attain informal knowledge broker status within government agencies and in some cases, even to take formal roles in government agencies. These knowledge brokers were able to access policy opportunities and funding streams by offering LGBTQ organizations’ expertise in combatting homophobia in order to decrease health problems (and save the government money). LGBTQ people here are framed as basically “normal” individuals rendered abnormal only through disease-causing homophobia perpetrated by an unintelligible source.

Author

• Somjen Frazer, Columbia University