What's Wrong with Homosexuality? (Philosophy in Action) - Hardcover

John Corvino is Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Wayne State University. A frequent speaker on LGBT issues, he has presented his talk "What's Wrong with Homosexuality?" and related programs at over 200 universities and other venues. He is the co-author (with Maggie Gallagher) of Debating Same-Sex Marriage (OUP, 2012). As "The Gay Moralist," he was a regular columnist for 365gay.com; his writing has also appeared in The Advocate, The Los Angeles Times, The New Republic online, and The New York Times online. 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.

"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