Gay-rights activist to speak at MSU
by Nicole Smith
Issue date: 10/2/08
Section: Speakers and Presentations
Using humor and philosophical rigor, Wayne State associate professor Dr. John Corvino travels across the country tackling common arguments against homosexuality. A philosopher, moralist and gay-rights activist, Corvino breaks down arguments, including those based on nature and religion, and invites all to rethink assumptions about homosexuality and morality.
Corvino kicks off National Coming Out Week at Minnesota State as the keynote speaker, presenting "What's morally wrong with homosexuality?" 7 p.m. Monday at Ostrander Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center and the philosophy department. It is free and open to the public.
"Dr. Corvino's program is funny, smart and really effective," said Jess Flatequal, the LGBT Center program coordinator. "He challenges all of the stereotypes people have about LGBT folks and in a sense, flips them upside down using philosophy."
Flatequal said this leads to a conclusion suggesting nothing is morally wrong with homosexuality.
According to the promotional Web site for the DVD release of his presentation (www.gaymoralist.com), Corvino will address specific questions such as, "Is homosexuality unnatural? Does it threaten society? Are gays and lesbians 'born that way' - and does it matter either way?"
Corvino has been speaking on gay rights for more than 15 years and has written over 100 articles published in print media at the regional and national level. He contributes to the Independent Gay Forum, academic journals and various anthologies. Corvino also writes a bi-weekly column, "The Gay Moralist," in LOGO Online's 365gay.com.
Flatequal said Corvino will also explain how our beliefs about sexual behavior and what is wrong or right reflect into LGBT lives and attitudes about homosexuality.
"Corvino highlights that these values about our behaviors aren't really about LGBT people, but are constructed as a reflection of yourself and what you think is okay for yourself," she said.
Flatequal anticipates the attendance of LGBT and allied people, but also encourages people who are just curious about what he has to say to attend.
Nicole Smith is a Reporter staff writer
Corvino kicks off National Coming Out Week at Minnesota State as the keynote speaker, presenting "What's morally wrong with homosexuality?" 7 p.m. Monday at Ostrander Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center and the philosophy department. It is free and open to the public.
"Dr. Corvino's program is funny, smart and really effective," said Jess Flatequal, the LGBT Center program coordinator. "He challenges all of the stereotypes people have about LGBT folks and in a sense, flips them upside down using philosophy."
Flatequal said this leads to a conclusion suggesting nothing is morally wrong with homosexuality.
According to the promotional Web site for the DVD release of his presentation (www.gaymoralist.com), Corvino will address specific questions such as, "Is homosexuality unnatural? Does it threaten society? Are gays and lesbians 'born that way' - and does it matter either way?"
Corvino has been speaking on gay rights for more than 15 years and has written over 100 articles published in print media at the regional and national level. He contributes to the Independent Gay Forum, academic journals and various anthologies. Corvino also writes a bi-weekly column, "The Gay Moralist," in LOGO Online's 365gay.com.
Flatequal said Corvino will also explain how our beliefs about sexual behavior and what is wrong or right reflect into LGBT lives and attitudes about homosexuality.
"Corvino highlights that these values about our behaviors aren't really about LGBT people, but are constructed as a reflection of yourself and what you think is okay for yourself," she said.
Flatequal anticipates the attendance of LGBT and allied people, but also encourages people who are just curious about what he has to say to attend.
Nicole Smith is a Reporter staff writer
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