First published at Between the Lines News on December 4, 2008 I have a confession to make. I’m getting ever so slightly tired of the reaction to Prop. 8. I know I shouldn’t. I know that the loss in California is terrible, and far-reaching, and deserving of attention. We had marriage, and voters took it […]
First published at 365gay.com on October 31, 2008 On the eve of the election, I am pleased that my fellow Democrats have finally learned not to concede “moral values” language to the other side. In past elections, we heard a lot about “values voters”—a code-term for right-wingers on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. Senator
Five Dumb Ideas about Morality Read More »
First published at 365gay.com on October 24, 2008 I’ve been doing a lot of same-sex marriage debates lately, and thus interacting with opponents—not just my debate partner, but also audience members, some of whom will soon be voting on marriage amendments. Recently one of them asked, “Where does your standard of marriage come from?” From
Redefining Marriage? Or Expanding It? Read More »
First published at 365gay.com on October 17, 2008 If the election were held tomorrow, it’s quite likely that gays would lose marriage in California. That’s California, our most populous state, home of San Francisco and Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Hollywood elite. What progressive California giveth, progressive California may taketh away. It surprises (and frankly,
Un-Scaring California Read More »
First published at Between the Lines News on September 25, 2008 Like many gay people, I have a love-hate relationship with weddings. On the one hand, I enjoy any excuse for a party, and what’s not to like about celebrating love and commitment with family and friends? On the other hand… Well, where do I
At Wedding, Gay PDA Not OK Read More »
First published at 365gay.com on August 15, 2008 “Why do you need other people’s approval?” The question came from an old (straight but gay-supportive) friend, as we sat over breakfast discussing progress in the gay-rights movement. He meant it sincerely. “After all,” he continued, “if you like rap music, and I hate rap music, you
When Tolerance Isn’t Enough Read More »
First published at 365gay.com on May 26, 2008 When strangers stare at me across a bar, I like to imagine it’s because they find me attractive. More often than not, however, it’s because they recognize me from the local gay paper. “You’re John Corvino, aren’t you? The Gay Moralist?” It happened just last weekend as
The Gay (Im)moralist? Read More »
First published at 365gay.com on April 14, 2008 I’m sometimes criticized by fellow gay-rights advocates for being too accommodating towards our opponents. Why dignify gay-rights opponents with a response? The simple answer is that, like it or not, homosexuality is an issue on which many thoughtful and decent people disagree. Ignoring this disagreement won’t make
First published at 365gay.com on March 31, 2008 Though it may sound perverse, I get excited whenever religious fundamentalists speak up during the Q&A portion of my public events. While fundamentalists are hardly a dying breed, they seldom participate in such functions. And though I find their silence generally pleasing, it does rob me of
First published at 365gay.com on March 3, 2008 People often ask me what I think about ex-gay ministries. I have no objection to them in principle, but serious problems with them in practice. I have no objection to them in principle because I believe we should give others the same respect that we ourselves demand.
Respecting Ex-Gays Read More »