Aborting Sex: Gay Rights as an Anti-Life Movement

Life and Learning XX (2010)

18 Pages Posted: 28 Jan 2019

See all articles by Donald Sullins

Donald Sullins

The Catholic University of America; The Ruth Institute

Date Written: January 16, 2010

Abstract

Gay rights is not generally considered a life issue. But the social and cultural effects of same-sex sexual expression are remarkably similar to those of induced abortion. Like contraception, both contravene the natural operation of the body in order to conform human sexuality to the ideals of modernity – including unconditioned personal expression, availability to industrial capitalism, and reduced uncertainty in the life course. By severing the link between sex and children, both increase privatization, diminish the social intentionality and form of the sexual union, and undermine the unitive good and the transcendent goal of marriage. Movements for both gay rights and abortion rights employ similar rhetoric and share activist personnel, and gay rights activists strategically promote affinity with abortion rights. Unless proponents of human life engage such alignments on the cultural level, overcoming insularity and a narrow focus, direct issue engagement on abortion and on homosexuality risks becoming incoherent and counterproductive.

Keywords: gay rights, abortion, contraception, public policy

JEL Classification: J12, J18, Z1

Suggested Citation

Sullins, Donald, Aborting Sex: Gay Rights as an Anti-Life Movement (January 16, 2010). Life and Learning XX (2010), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3316886

Donald Sullins (Contact Author)

The Catholic University of America ( email )

116 McMahon Hall
Washington, DC 20064
United States

The Ruth Institute ( email )

4845 Lake Street
Suite 217
Lake Charles, LA 70605
United States

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