'How do some rights come to seem marvellously self-evident when shortly before they were not just unmentionable but unimaginable to all but a few, and why do some hard-won, precious achievements suddenly serve as the focus for state-organized rollback and public venom? Globe-spanning and rich with riveting details and deft analyses, this is a must-read compendium. It helps us comprehend the vicissitudes of sex rights activism in wholly new ways.' Dagmar Herzog, City University of New York, USA 'Lesbian and Gay studies used to fill a shelf; now the relevant works fill a library, and the Research Companion is a comprehensive and challenging overview and guide to many of the contemporary debates, questions and controversies that now confront people working in sexual and gender studies.' Dennis Altman, author of The End of the Homosexual? 'This is a richly informative exploration of sexual diversity politics across the world, drawing together seasoned scholars and incisive newcomers who respect the complexities of activist choices and the importance of national and regional contexts. The collection as a whole is filled with insightful historical overviews and contemporary comparative analyses, avoiding simplistic pronouncements on what constitutes effective advocacy.' David Rayside, University of Toronto, Canada.