Tag: ethics

A “Gay” Spring

First published at 365gay.com on April 10, 2009 Spring arrived for gays this year, not with daffodils and cherry blossoms, but with Iowa and Vermont. First Iowa, where the state Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. (Don’t adjust your screen. The words “Iowa” and “unanimously” are really in that sentence.)… Continue reading A “Gay” Spring

Why Not Plural Marriage?

First published at 365gay.com on March 23, 2009 Recent discussions of various civil-union proposals have revived some familiar questions, including “Why limit such recognition to couples, as opposed to larger groups?” and “Why limit it to romantic/sexual couples, as opposed to other interdependent relationships?” Such questions come from various quarters, including both friends and foes… Continue reading Why Not Plural Marriage?

Strange Bedfellows

First published at Between The Lines News on March 12, 2009 Recently I wrote about a proposed compromise by David Blankenhorn, who opposes gay marriage, and Jonathan Rauch, who supports it. On the Blankenhorn/Rauch proposal, the federal government would recognize individual states’ same-sex marriages or civil unions (under the name “civil unions”) and grant them… Continue reading Strange Bedfellows

Diversity and Discrimination

First published at Between The Lines News on February 26, 2009 I’ve been a member of the American Philosophical Association (APA) for about fifteen years. I go to the annual meetings, I get the publications, and I peruse the frightfully scarce listings in “Jobs for Philosophers.” Last week a colleague sent me a petition addressed… Continue reading Diversity and Discrimination

Hospitality, not Homosexuality

First published at 365gay.com on February 6, 2009 I’ve written in this column of my friendship with Glenn Stanton [http://www.365gay.com/opinion/corvino-friends-with-the-enemy/], a Focus on the Family employee whom I regularly debate on same-sex marriage. There are different kinds of friendship, of course, not to mention different levels and layers. We’re not “best buds,” but we’re not… Continue reading Hospitality, not Homosexuality

What’s Best for Children

First published at 365gay.com on January 30, 2009 I don’t have children, I don’t want children, and I don’t “get” children. Some of my friends have children. I like their children best at two stages of their lives: (1) When they’re small enough that they come in their own special carrying cases and stay put… Continue reading What’s Best for Children

Margie Christoffersen’s Freedom – and Ours

First published at 365gay.com on December 19, 2008 Marjorie Christoffersen seems like a nice enough person by all reports, including those of gay friends and acquaintances. But Christoffersen made a $100 donation to Prop. 8, which stripped marriage rights from gays and lesbians in California. Now some customers of El Coyote, the landmark Los Angeles… Continue reading Margie Christoffersen’s Freedom – and Ours

The Odd Couple

First published at Between the Lines News on December 18, 2008 Glenn Stanton is a friend of mine. He’s also badly wrong about same-sex marriage, and I tell him so—frequently, publicly, and sharply. Glenn works at Focus on the Family, a premier organization of the religious right. He and I regularly debate same-sex marriage at… Continue reading The Odd Couple