Going to Strasbourg An Oral History of Sexual Orientation Discrimination and the European Convention on Human Rights

Since its inception, the European Convention on Human Rights has been a beacon of hope to gay men and lesbians in Europe. Going to Strasbourg: An Oral History of Sexual Orientation Discrimination and the European Convention on Human Rights provides a comprehensive account of how individuals in the United Kingdom have utilized the Convention, by way of making applications to its organs in Strasbourg in order to challenge sexual orientation discrimination.

Combining an exhaustive analysis of Strasbourg case law with nineteen unique oral histories of applicants, legal professionals, and campaigners, this book is the definitive history of the role that 'going to Strasbourg' has played in eradicating discrimination and establishing legal equality on the grounds of sexual orientation in the UK.

Paul Johnson, Professor of Sociology, University of York

Paul Johnson is Professor of Sociology at the University of York. His research focuses on the relationship between law and sexual orientation, and his recent publications include Law, Religion and Homosexuality (with Robert M. Vanderbeck) and Homosexuality and the European Court of Human Rights.

Introduction
Part I: Legal History
1. Sexual Orientation Discrimination and the European Convention on Human Rights; a Socio-legal Analysis of Applications against the United Kingdon
Part II: Oral History
2. The Criminal Law
3. The Armed Forces
4. Family Life
5. Legal Professionals and Campaigners
Part III: Sociological Aspects
6. Expectations, Motivations, and Outcomes: a Thematic Analysis of the Oral Histories