Same Sex Marriage Debate

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Same Sex Marriage - A Civil Debate

Glenn Stanton and John Corvino

Is same-sex marriage good for society? The ongoing debate over civil unions and same-sex marriage often generates more heat than light. Yet the debate cannot be ignored, as legislators and voters around the country grapple with whether and how to recognize same-sex relationships.

John Corvino and Glenn Stanton – two of the nation’s leading and opposing voices on this issue bring clarity and civility to this otherwise divisive topic. Stanton, a same-sex marriage opponent, argues that such marriages would erode our understanding of humanity by treating male or female as optional for the family. Corvino, a same-sex marriage advocate, argues that recognizing same-sex unions would be good not only for gay people, but also for society at large, since society has an interest in promoting happy, stable, and loving relationships.

In the course of their debates, Stanton and Corvino address many sub-topics: The needs of children, the complementarity of the sexes, the alleged slippery-slope towards polygamy and polyamory, and whether same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue. They work together to engage audiences in a many-faceted conversation about the role of marriage in a healthy society while giving audiences a chance to hear fresh perspectives.

Glenn T. Stanton is the Senior Analyst for Marriage and Sexuality and the Director of Social Research and Cultural Affairs at Focus on the Family. Glenn has authored or contributed to nine books on the intersections of family and cutting social issues, including Why Marriage Matters: Reasons to Believe in Marriage in Postmodern Society and Marriage on Trial: The Case Against Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting. Glenn had been featured on both C-SPAN BookTV and a PBS documentary. He serves as a consultant to the Bush Administration on increasing father involvement in the Head Start program.

Corvino, a philosophy professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, is the editor of Same Sex: Debating the Ethics, Science, and Culture of Homosexuality. His writings have appeared in regional and national print media, at the online Independent Gay Forum, and in various scholarly anthologies, including Do We Need Minority Rights? and The Philosophy of Sex. For over a decade he has entertained and educated diverse audiences, including professional organizations, the Lawrence Livermore National Research Laboratory, the National Institutes of Health, and dozens of colleges and universities.

While Corvino and Stanton disagree on many issues, they share a profound commitment to reasoned dialogue and to helping people understand the importance of these issues. Stanton says, “People are sick of ‘crossfire’ politics. They want thoughtful but spirited engagement.” Corvino agrees, adding that “one of the most important things we do is to help set a tone of civility, even while presenting two very different views. We try to show by example how to talk about contentious issues in a productive, respective manner, and audiences respond in kind.”

This is not to say that Corvino and Stanton shy away from controversy or soft-pedal their positions. Indeed, as they’ve developed a rapport over successive debates, their disputes have become more refined and more vigorous. Yet they strongly agree that controversial issues demand civil discussion, not personal attacks, and so they challenge each other’s arguments, never each other’s motives. Together they aim to promote an ongoing dialogue about civil rights and public values.