On Not Being Like Other Boys

First published at 365gay.com on November 13, 2009 It’s November, which means bookstores have next year’s calendars on display. When I was a teenager, this annual occurrence unnerved me. The “male interest” calendars”—think “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model of the Month”—held no appeal for me. Instead, I would nervously reach for a Chippendales calendar, hiding it… Continue reading On Not Being Like Other Boys

The Work Left To Do

First published at 365gay.com on October 30, 2009 Less than a week before the election, polls continue to show close races in both Washington State, where voters may substantially expand domestic-partner legislation, and Maine, where they may rescind marriage-equality. We could win in either state (or both)—but we could lose, too. Win or lose, there’s… Continue reading The Work Left To Do

The Homosexual Agenda

First published at Between the Lines News on October 29, 2009 Dear Parent, Gay-marriage opponents claim that we gay folk are trying to influence your children. In one sense, they are quite right. We are not trying to “recruit” your children, if by that you mean “turn them gay.” As gay people, we understand enough… Continue reading The Homosexual Agenda

Stand Up for Maine—And for Marriage

First published at 365gay.com on October 9, 2009 As much as I aim to seek common ground, some aspects of the marriage debate make it impossible. Consider, for example, the Maine campaign. If you haven’t been following the campaign, you should. To my mind, our side has done a model job in framing the debate,… Continue reading Stand Up for Maine—And for Marriage

A Gay Marriage Opponent Responds

First published at 365gay.com on September 14, 2009 Last week I wrote about marriage-equality opponents’ “Always and Everywhere” argument—the claim that since marriage has “always” been heterosexual, we ought not to tinker with it now. In response, a prominent same-sex marriage opponent e-mailed me to explain what was “logically and philosophically wrong” with my critique.… Continue reading A Gay Marriage Opponent Responds

Other People’s Judgments

First published at Between the Lines News on September 3, 2009 “You don’t just want us to tolerate what you gay people do,” my skeptical questioner announced, “you want us to think that it’s RIGHT.” Whenever I hear this point–and it’s pretty often–I always think to myself, “Duh.” Of course I want that. Why would… Continue reading Other People’s Judgments

The Right’s Immoral Take on Gay Marriage

First published at 365gay.com on August 14, 2009 Anyone who knows Jonathan Rauch will tell you he’s not a sappy, emotional sort of guy. Rauch, a senior writer for National Journal magazine and a contributing editor of The Atlantic, is known for his measured, logical (and occasionally quite witty) prose; those of us fortunate enough… Continue reading The Right’s Immoral Take on Gay Marriage

We’ve still got far to go

First published at 365gay.com on July 31, 2009 I’m not usually a touchy-feely, share-your-emotions, “Trust the Process” kind of guy. I’m a philosophy professor. I revel in cold, hard logic. So it was with some trepidation that I signed up as a faculty member for Campus Pride’s annual summer Leadership Camp—which, since it was mostly… Continue reading We’ve still got far to go