Comments on: Corvino: A story of comfort and joy

By: Morgan

Morgan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:17:26 +0000

I look forward to attending the Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day services at my gay-friendly church. My particular church is a source of much joy for me.

Happy Holidays to everyone here.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:42:00 +0000

As always – wonderful, John. I feel you. Merry Christmas!

By: Yukkuri

Yukkuri — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:53:41 +0000

I’m still working on finding a guy, as it’s my last year of high school. I’m quite publicly out, which is good. But being the first gay person to attend prom openly… that would be amazing.

By: Marc Luxenberg

Marc Luxenberg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:16:54 +0000

Great thoughts, thanks. I always cringe at religionists that claim the mantle of morality without any examination of the basis of morality. Joy is moral, but I fear christianists will bring out the twisted canard of onanistic narcissism [though it does have a nice metrical ring to it]. To avoid that criticism, could we agree that it is shared joy that is a moral good. And there’s nothing but shared joy in those first evanescent kisses.

By: chottinger

chottinger — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:08:48 +0000

This really reminded me of my “first boyfriend” of about three months. When we were both sixteen at a park near my home town visiting a waterfall; we kissed and cuddled in what could be a gay postcard. It was a great experience and groundbreaking when we were the first gay couple to go to prom together in both of our schools (we live in alabama). We ended when he went “back in the closet”. Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, and good seasonal wishes in general guys.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:45:53 +0000

Most excellent John, it should be required reading for every young man at war with his feelings and emotions. Lovely.

By: Victor

Victor — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:49:19 +0000

Thank you for this. The conversation about “morality” is often a difficult one. I personally believe strongly that a moral code is necessary to structure a successful life. I just happen to live by a very different moral code than the majority of America. I believe in that whole Christian golden rule thing. I just wish more people did as well. Experiencing joy, and encouraging others to experience joy, not escapism, or euphoria, or more temporal things, but true joy. The self affirming kind of joy is one of the most powerful and positive things in the world. I wish more people took part in it.

By: DaveW

DaveW — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:40:28 +0000

Always talking about morality, and even being chastised for trying to bridge the gap with our enemies over that subject, in this piece you really are getting at something.

Joy IS moral…and I realized as I was reading this that our opponents would not agree, as they often deny themselves joy, and likely have a grudge against people who have it.

Think about it: shame of human sexuality, “original sin”, no sex outside matrimony (I’m married, but was not always!), sacrifice for sin, constantly confessing (for some). Just about everything that brings joy to humans, that we have evolved to do and that helps our survival, is supplanted by a jealous god that only wants people to find joy in her.

of course I’ve observed forever that religion is all about denying oneself in the hope that will lead to eternal bliss eventually, but you made me make the connection between many people’s religiously influenced hatred of us and their denial of joy.

For being able to live as I must and as I choose, I am quite joyful. I feel sorry for those brainwashed to think it is healthy to be unhappy.

The religious people I debate, always thinking they are so sarcastic praying for me, have always seemed envious of my freedom…the straight guys clearly want more sex and think we are ahead of them on that score (probably are).

If our foes would appreciate what they have in this world, would work to be happy and solve their problems instead of project them on others, the world would be much more joyful.

Whether or not it happens, I’m happy that we have it. I hope the same for them.

By: Curt

Curt — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:28:55 +0000

John,

Wishing you all the best for 2010 as well. Thank for you all you have done this past year. I look forward to your articles every Friday.