First published October 1, 2003, in Between the Lines In a recent Advocate interview Massachusetts Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry told reporter Chris Bull that, despite his otherwise strong support for gay rights, he could not bring himself to support gay marriage. In a previous Washington Post interview Kerry had stated, “Marriage is… Continue reading Senator Kerry’s Marriage Contortions
Author: johncorvino
Gay Marriage and the ‘Ick Factor’
First published August 19, 2003, in Between the Lines. It was the sort of headline that’s become common these days: “When gays advance, America squirms.” I should be used to such headlines by now. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws in June, we all knew there would be backlash. But I still… Continue reading Gay Marriage and the ‘Ick Factor’
The Inclusive Santorum
First Published at Between the Lines on May 1, 2003 By now you’ve no doubt heard the flap about Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who, in response to a question about whether homosexual persons should remain celibate, stated that “if the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home,… Continue reading The Inclusive Santorum
The Death of the Advocate
First published in “Between the Lines” in March of 2003 Once upon a time there was a great magazine called the Advocate. Founded in 1967, the Advocate was for many years a groundbreaking gay and lesbian newsmagazine. At a time when The New York Times would not even print the word “gay,” the Advocate kept… Continue reading The Death of the Advocate
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 6: The Virtue of Homosexuality
First Published at Between the Lines on February 7, 2003 I HAVE SPENT my last five columns — and a good deal of my career — defending homosexuality against various moral attacks. Yet sometimes I spend so much time explaining why homosexuality is “not bad” that I neglect to consider why it’s positively good. Can… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 6: The Virtue of Homosexuality
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 5: Retaining the Moral High Ground
First Published at Between the Lines on January 23, 2003 OVER THE LAST MONTH I’ve been exploring various attempts to show that homosexuality is morally wrong. Not surprisingly, I’ve concluded that these anti-gay arguments don’t hold much water. At this point in the debate opponents usually try to change the subject. “Oh yeah?” they say.… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 5: Retaining the Moral High Ground
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 4: The Unnaturalness Argument
First Published at Between the Lines on January 9, 2003. Based on the author’s article, “Why Shouldn’t Tommy and Jim Have Sex?” in Same Sex: Debating the Ethics, Science, and Culture of Homosexuality (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997). PEOPLE OFTEN ARGUE that homosexual sex is “unnatural.” But what does that mean? Many things we value —… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 4: The Unnaturalness Argument
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 3: The Harm Arguments
First published at Between the Lines on December 19, 2002 The ancient Roman Emperor Justinian believed that homosexuality was the cause of earthquakes, plagues, famine, and various other maladies. Modern-day critics have been only slightly less creative in their allegations. Homosexuality has been blamed for the breakdown of the family, the AIDS crisis, sexual abuse… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 3: The Harm Arguments
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 2: The Bible
First published at Between the Lines on December 12, 2002 MANY PEOPLE claim that homosexuality is wrong because “The Bible says so.” This claim rests on two presuppositions: (1) The Bible condemns homosexual conduct. (2) The Bible is a good moral guide. Each of these raises questions. Regarding the first: does the Bible condemn all… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 2: The Bible
Homosexuality and Morality, Part 1: The Essential Question
First published at Between the Lines on November 22, 2002 THE HOLIDAY SEASON is upon us and with it come holiday dinners, which can be hazardous to your health. This is not because the dinners are fattening or because you might choke on the wishbone. It’s because holiday dinners mean extended family gatherings, and your… Continue reading Homosexuality and Morality, Part 1: The Essential Question