Overcoming the Dichotomy: The Syncretic Activist Approach

Abstract

The three previous chapters focused on the relationship between the LGBT movement and political, legal and cultural change. As was argued, in all of these fields a shift occurred, particularly in Portugal and in Spain, largely responding favourably to the movement’s demands over time. However, this tendency faced obstacles offered by particular political and legal value-discourses and media frames. Faced with resistance, the LGBT movement has also modified its modus operandi, shifting from responding to external events in a strong reactive mode to becoming proactive and setting its own agenda. By so doing, LGBT activists diversified their praxis, and became actively involved in developing relationships of engagement, exemplified by the “pedagogy of proximity” towards politicians and the “empathy frame” towards journalists.