Gay Rights Advocate Examines Role of Sexual Orientation in Diversity Issues in LU Address

APPLETON, WIS. — Philosopher, moralist and gay rights advocate John Corvino explores the ways sexual orientation fits into the broader discussion of diversity in an address at Lawrence University.

Corvino, an assistant professor of philosophy at Wayne State University, presents “Homosexuality, Morality and Diversity” Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in Riverview Lounge of the Lawrence Memorial Union. The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will focus on ways of fostering respect for diverse social relationships while also respecting an individual’s moral and religious convictions. Corvino also will examine the prospects and pitfalls of analogies between sexual orientation and race, religion and other diversity issues.

A specialist in ethical theory and applied ethics, Corvino has been speaking and writing on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) issues for more than a decade. He wrote the introduction for, and served as editor of, the 1997 book “Same Sex: Debating the Ethics, Science and Culture of Homosexuality.”

He has written for a variety of regional and national print publications and is the author of more than a dozen articles published in various scholarly anthologies, among them “Do We Need Minority Rights?,” “Ethics in Practice” and “The Philosophy of Sex.”

In 2004, the Detroit City Council recognized Corvino for his work on behalf of GLBT rights with its Spirit of Detroit Award.

Corvino has taught in the philosophy department at Wayne State since 1998. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas.

His appearance is co-sponsored by SOUP (Student Organization for University Programming) and the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Center.