Citizenship, sexual identity and social exclusion: Exploring issues in British and American social policy

Abstract

Purpose

Central to the notion of citizenship is equality, social inclusion and social justice, yet heterosexual constructions of citizenship continue to privilege. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between citizenship, social policy and sexual identity, comparing experiences found in the UK and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the concepts of nation, identity and belonging, taking account of normative discourses and structures such as the family, to illustrate how social policy creates second‐class status for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people (LGBT).

Findings

The paper finds that within the relationship between the state and LGBT citizens, there is institutional hostility towards LGBT people, and explores the ways in which policy makers characterise difference as abnormal, inferior, of less worth and importantly, problematic.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in discussing Queer theory and in seeking to challenge and transform the social exclusion of LGBT citizens, by contributing to the rise in new forms of citizenship. The paper takes account of evolving models of citizenship that seek to redress current inadequate mainstream structures.

Citation

Concannon, L. (2008), "Citizenship, sexual identity and social exclusion: Exploring issues in British and American social policy", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 28 No. 9/10, pp. 326-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443330810900176