What's Wrong with Homosexuality?

For the last twenty years, John Corvino--widely known as the author of the weekly column "The Gay Moralist"--has traversed the country responding to moral and religious arguments against same-sex relationships. In this timely book, he shares that experience--addressing the standard objections to homosexuality and offering insight into the culture wars more generally.

Is homosexuality unnatural? Does the Bible condemn it? Are people born gay (and should it matter either way)? Corvino approaches such questions with precision, sensitivity, and good humor. In the process, he makes a fresh case for moral engagement, forcefully rejecting the idea that morality is a "private matter." This book appears at a time when same-sex marriage is being hotly debated across the U.S. Many people object to such marriage on the grounds that same-sex relationships are immoral, or at least, that they do not deserve the same social recognition as heterosexual relationships. Unfortunately, the traditional rhetoric of gay-rights advocates--which emphasizes privacy and tolerance--fails to meet this objection. Legally speaking, when it comes to marriage, "tolerance" might be enough, Corvino concedes, but socially speaking, marriage requires more. Marriage is more than just a relationship between two individuals, recognized by the state. It is also a relationship between those individuals and a larger community. The fight for same-sex marriage, ultimately, is a fight for full inclusion in the moral fabric. What is needed is a positive case for moral approval--which is what Corvino unabashedly offers here.

Corvino blends a philosopher's precision with a light touch that is full of humanity and wit. This volume captures the voice of one of the most rational participants in a national debate noted for generating more heat than light.

"Whatever might be wrong with homosexuality, John Corvino rebuts, in this concise, thorough and chatty book."--Mark Vernon, Times Literary Supplement

"[Corvino] writes in plain language leavened with wit, sentiment, and personality-a manner that reflects the book's origins in Corvino's half of a debate over gay marriage that he and Focus on the Family speaker Glenn Stanton have presented on college campuses throughout North America." --Booklist

"[Corvino's] work is unfailingly patient and laced with humor...an essential and accessible read for any interested parties." --Publishers Weekly

"Corvino's book is an exemplar of public philosophy. It is an entertaining and rigorous read."--Justin P. McBrayer, Social Theory and Practice

"[F]or anyone interested in the topic this is an absolute page-turner. Corvino's style is eminently engaging and peppered with jokes and anecdotes. But mostly, this is simply a hugely important book."--Mark Flowers, School Library Journal

"Corvino's writing style is readable and informed by intelligence and wit. He is also respectful of opposing views and deals with them fairly. Well worth reading, this book sensibly organizes ethical objections to homosexual behavior, takes the time to refute them, and clarifies how defenders of homosexual rights should respond to them."

--Library Journal

"John Corvino has written a wonderful, deeply exhilarating book. Its virtues of rigor, fair-mindedness, subtlety, and clarity should be everywhere in our public culture, but in fact they are sadly rare. Read Corvino not only to learn about moral arguments concerning homosexuality -- and you will learn a lot, regardless of your ethical starting point -- but also to be reminded that it is possible for people who deeply disagree to argue respectfully, fairly, and with empathetic imagination and even a sense of humor. This is public philosophy at its very best."--Martha C. Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, University of Chicago

"John Corvino's new book, What's Wrong with Homosexuality?, is stunning in its clarity and logic. Corvino's is that rare combination of a brilliant and logical mind, and a warm and human heart. He is particularly adept and helpful in critiquing the natural law arguments against homosexuality, and teasing apart the various nature/nurture approaches to the question of whether gay people are "born that way." Most impressive is his combining his rational, philosophical arguments with his own (and others') experience of being gay and partnered. Anyone interested in seriously arguing against the acceptance of gay people and our relationships will have to contend with the brilliantly articulated, rational and coherent case made in this book."--The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of New Hampshire

"John Corvino is a philosophically sophisticated, lucid writer who makes a serious effort here to engage those (like me) with whom he disagrees. He argues aggressively, to be sure, but does not resort to calling his critics names or impugning their motives. Moreover, he is commendably willing to come to grips with challenges to the presuppositions and implications of the position he holds. He is, in short, a worthy intellectual opponent in the debate over the ethics and meaning of sex and marriage."--Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

"[Corvino's] work is unfailingly patient and laced with humor...an essential and accessible read for any interested parties." --Publishers Weekly

"[Corvino] writes in plain language leavened with wit, sentiment, and personality-a manner that reflects the book's origins in Corvino's half of a debate over gay marriage that he and Focus on the Family speaker Glenn Stanton have presented on college campuses throughout North America." --Booklist

"Corvino's writing style is readable and informed by intelligence and wit. He is also respectful of opposing views and deals with them fairly. Well worth reading, this book sensibly organizes ethical objections to homosexual behavior, takes the time to refute them, and clarifies how defenders of homosexual rights should respond to them."

--Library Journal

"John Corvino has written a wonderful, deeply exhilarating book. Its virtues of rigor, fair-mindedness, subtlety, and clarity should be everywhere in our public culture, but in fact they are sadly rare. Read Corvino not only to learn about moral arguments concerning homosexuality -- and you will learn a lot, regardless of your ethical starting point -- but also to be reminded that it is possible for people who deeply disagree to argue respectfully, fairly, and with empathetic imagination and even a sense of humor. This is public philosophy at its very best."--Martha C. Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, University of Chicago

"John Corvino's new book, What's Wrong with Homosexuality?, is stunning in its clarity and logic. Corvino's is that rare combination of a brilliant and logical mind, and a warm and human heart. He is particularly adept and helpful in critiquing the natural law arguments against homosexuality, and teasing apart the various nature/nurture approaches to the question of whether gay people are "born that way." Most impressive is his combining his rational, philosophical arguments with his own (and others') experience of being gay and partnered. Anyone interested in seriously arguing against the acceptance of gay people and our relationships will have to contend with the brilliantly articulated, rational and coherent case made in this book."--The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of New Hampshire

"John Corvino is a philosophically sophisticated, lucid writer who makes a serious effort here to engage those (like me) with whom he disagrees. He argues aggressively, to be sure, but does not resort to calling his critics names or impugning their motives. Moreover, he is commendably willing to come to grips with challenges to the presuppositions and implications of the position he holds. He is, in short, a worthy intellectual opponent in the debate over the ethics and meaning of sex and marriage."-- Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University

John Corvino is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University. A frequent speaker on LGBT issues, he has presented his popular talk "What's Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?" and related programs at over 200 universities and other venues. John has also been a guest on MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" and on numerous other radio programs. An award-winning teacher, he is also the recipient of a 2004 Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council for his work on behalf of LGBT rights.

Chapter 1

"We Shouldn't Even Be Having This Discussion"

Chapter 2

"God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It"

Chapter 3

"A Risky Lifestyle?"

Chapter 4

"It's Not Natural"

Chapter 5

"Born that Way?"

Chapter 6

"Man on Man, Man on Dog, or Whatever the Case May Be"

Chapter 7

"Who Decides?"

Chapter 8

"One Man, One Woman"

Chapter 9

"Bigots and Deviants"