Author: johncorvino

Gay People Have Work to do

First published at 365gay.com on March 4, 2011 Let me begin with a huge Thank You to readers who weighed in thoughtfully on last week’s column [http://www.365gay.com/opinion/corvino-is-it-time-for-the-gay-moralist-to-retire/], which pondered the changing attitudes of audiences at my “Gay Moralist” lectures. Although I have a general policy of not chiming in on the comments thread—partly because of… Continue reading Gay People Have Work to do

Is it Time for the Gay Moralist to Retire?

First published at 365gay.com on February 25, 2011 It is a strange, challenging, and encouraging time for me as the Gay Moralist. For almost nineteen years I have been giving my talk “What’s Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?” at universities around the country. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SutThIFi24w&feature=player_embedded] I sometimes quip that the talk is old enough to vote, and… Continue reading Is it Time for the Gay Moralist to Retire?

Love, Partnership, and Valentine’s Day

First published at 365gay.com on February 11, 2011 When I floated the idea of writing a Valentine’s Day column, my friends’ reactions ran the gamut—from suggestions for themes (“Talk about what makes a successful relationship!”) to wariness (“Are you sure you want to reinforce this Hallmark holiday?”) to sheer disgust. (“Ugh. Please don’t.”) Either because… Continue reading Love, Partnership, and Valentine’s Day

Help a Hero

First published at 365gay.com on February 4, 2011 You may not know Frank Kameny’s name. You should. Frank Kameny has sometimes been called the “Rosa Parks” of the LGBT movement. Like most analogies, this one is imperfect. Parks’ civil disobedience was backed by an organized movement; Kameny had to forge a movement. Parks is in… Continue reading Help a Hero

Are Those Gay Doritos Ads Funny?

First published at 365gay.com on January 28, 2011 I first discovered the gay-themed Doritos ads http://glaadblog.org/2011/01/25/frito-lay-distances-itself-from-gay-themed-ads/ when a friend sent me a link to one titled “Told You So” with the question: “Is it okay for me to laugh at this?” Quick answer, for those who have been wondering the same thing: Yes, it’s okay… Continue reading Are Those Gay Doritos Ads Funny?

What Marriage Isn’t

First published at 365gay.com on January 21, 2011 The recent Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy article “What is Marriage?” [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1722155], by Sherif Girgis, Robert George, and Ryan Anderson (hereafter GGA), has received considerable attention—as it should. (Jonathan Rauch’s incisive retort links to much of the discussion; see here: http://igfculturewatch.com/2011/01/12/let-them-eat-friendship-george-et-al/.) That’s because the article… Continue reading What Marriage Isn’t

When my Grandfather Learned I was ‘Queer’

First published at 365gay.com on January 14, 2011 A diversity speaker I know (who also happens to be a dear friend) is fond of saying, “People do the best they can with what they have.” When I first heard her say this, my immediate reaction was, “Well, that’s obviously false.” In fact, I still think… Continue reading When my Grandfather Learned I was ‘Queer’