During the late-20th century there has been a rise in conservative discourse amongst the African-American, Latino, and gay communities, and amongst women. This text offers a comparative analysis of a conservatism which has led to a "double marginalization" for such groups. Dillard offers an analysis of a conservatism which crosses boundaries of race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. To be an African American and a conservative or a Latino who is a conservative and a homosexual, is to occupy an awkward political position. Dillard explores the philosophies, politics and motivation of minority conservatives such as Ward Connerly, Linda Chavez and Clarence Thomas, as well as their tepid reception by both the left and right. Welcomed cautiously by the conservative movement, they have also frequently been excoriated by those African Americans, Latinos, women and homosexuals who view their conservatism as betrayal.