A rich and compelling analysis of the political representation of gay and lesbian elected candidates and elected officials within government institutions, especially at the state level. In addressing this timely and important theme, he does well in placing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement's political and policy concerns within their appropriate historical and contemporary contexts. This work should be ... Read moreof great interest to students, teachers, and activists. -Craig A. Rimmerman, The Joseph P. DiGangi Endowed Chair in the Social Sciences and professor of public policy and political science, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Out and Running is a landmark work by one of the nation's leading scholars of LGBT politics. Donald Haider-Markel draws on a rich variety of analyses to illuminate the fortunes of gay and lesbian politicians in the electoral and policy arenas. His book is essential reading not only for anyone interested in LGBT politics but also for anyone interested in broader issues of political representation. -Paul R. Brewer, University of Wisconcin-Milwaukee, author of Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights This book fills an important gap in the literature on LGBT politics, particularly given the dramatic growth in the numbers of openly LGBT candidates for public office. It presents a number of interesting findings about the strategies of LGBT candidates for state legislative office, the conditions under which they run and get elected, and most importantly, how electing LGBT legislators helps efforts to shape policies favored by the LGBT rights movement. More broadly, it contributes significantly to our understanding of the impacts of descriptive representation on public policies for marginalized groups as well as political backlashes against them. -Gary Mucciaroni, Temple University Show Less