Evaluating local government equalities work: The case of sexualities initiatives in the UK

Measurement, as one aspect of managerialist practice, has become important in the local government arena in the UK. Legislative changes support the development of sexualities equalities initiatives in local authorities, but there is an absence of systems for evaluating these. Current indices of success can be applied to sexualities work in local government, but these are limited, given the impact of factors such as homophobia, party politics and local government restructuring. Complementary indicators concern policy making, anti-discrimination, and community leadership. Whilst provoking, perhaps, a politicisation of managerialism, such developments may be most usefully framed in administrative terms.