I think that feminism has been more advanced in the USA than in Europe because in the latter independent women's movements have not become as vibrant as in the former. The same goes for GLBT movements. The reason for the flowering of independent women's & GLBT movements in the USA is that, here, there has existed no socialist or communist party or movement strong enough to tackle the sex, gender, & sexuality issues _within its political organs_. This is a mixed blessing. One one hand, theory & everyday (= inter-personal) practice of the politics of sex, gender, & sexuality are better developed in the USA; on the other hand, in Europe, where feminism & GLBT movements have been less powerful than in the USA, the Left has nonetheless achieved more practical gains -- parental leaves, socialized child care, civil unions, etc. -- that women & GLBT people need. Also, in Europe, women & GLBT people have had to deal with dangerous & reactionary religious fundamentalists much less often than in the USA.
Yoshie