Abstract
This paper discusses John O'Sullivan's article "Put Gay Marriage to 'Covenant Test,'" in which he offers his ideas on the controversial theme of allowing same-sex marriage. The paper discusses the strengths of this article, including the fact that it is clearly well researched and that O'Sullivan appears to have been motivated primarily by the decline of marriage as an institution, especially in cases where young children are involved.

From the Paper
"In his article "Put gay marriage to `covenant' test," John O'Sullivan offers his ideas on the controversial theme of allowing same-sex marriage. The strengths of this article include the fact that it is clearly well researched. O'Sullivan has given this matter much serious thought, and obviously feels passionately about it. It is also clear that O'Sullivan has some human warmth, as he appears to be motivated primarily by the decline of marriage as an institution - especially in cases where young children are involved. "

Tags:controversial, issue, marriage

Abstract
The strength of the gay and lesbian community comes from a long history of organizations and leaders, as well as subtle social, economic and political factors that contributed to the identification of homosexuality as an identity. It is this identity around which a community has been built to disprove the notion that homosexuality is 'deviant', 'sick', or 'sinful'. The paper identifies two distinct philosophies in the gay liberation movement: one moving towards assimilation and discounting sexual preference as an identity-builder; the other promoting pride and acceptance of homosexuality as a viable identity.

Abstract
Analysis of English values in the Restoration, focusing on Polly Peachum as a foil character that Gay uses as a satirical element to show the hypocrisy of London society. It explains how Gay juxtaposes the aristocracy against the thieving, working class and asks the audience "Who is who?" The character helps question whether there is really such a difference between the gentry and the criminals warehoused in London jails.

From the Paper
"The aim of satire is to attack or expose human vice or hypocrisy by means of irony, sarcasm, and acerbic wit. In the Restoration play The Beggar's Opera, author John Gay satirizes early 18th century England by turning societal convention on its ear, challenging the upper stratus of government and the aristocracy, and making ridiculous the Italian opera. One of Gay's most ironic and satirical elements in the Opera is his characterization of the play's personas. The theatregoers of Gay's era were accustomed to characters who behave according to an established set of conventions that supposedly mirrored the London society in which they live. In the typical Restoration plays such as Man of Mode and The Way of the World, the upper-class male protagonists are fashionable, witty, respectable, honorable, and of good reputation. The young female leading roles are almost stock characters who are pure, chaste, virtuous, filially obedient, and have the propensity to be excellent wives. But in order to expose the hypocritical double standard that existed in London society, John Gay creates a play of inverted values. The value systems of criminals and gentle people are almost indistinguishable. The rake is replaced by a highwayman, match making parents are replaced by villainous thieves, and the honorable maiden is swapped for a would-be ingenue. This maiden, Polly Peachum is the antithesis of stock Restoration female protagonists such Millamont, Harriet, and even Margery who possess honor and respected positions in society."

Tags:beggar, english, gay, john, lit, opera, restoration

Abstract
This paper analyzes John Colapinto's "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl" which shows that sexuality is as much about cultural mores and habits as it is about genetics. The paper discusses the book which is an analysis of how individuals come to see themselves as possessed of sexual identities and the process through which each individual learns to negotiate his or her identity as an amalgam of personal and social desires.

From the Paper
"The book tells the story of what is in the beginning a medical tragedy. Following a botched circumcision, a family is convinced by doctors, psychiatrists and other health-care professionals to raise their infant son, Bruce, as a girl. They rename the child Brenda and spend the next 14 years trying to transform him into a her. Brenda's childhood reads as one filled with anxiety and loneliness, and her fear and confusion are present on nearly every page concerning her early childhood. The early part of this book demonstrates very clearly that human sexuality is not something that simply springs upon us in adolescence, for from preschool years Brenda is aware of a contradiction in the way her body feels and the way that other girls relate to their bodies."

Tags:gay, lesbians, hormone, treatment

Abstract
This paper examines "The Beggar's Opera" written by John Gay and first performed on 29th January 1728. It tries to ascertain how a play that depicted the society of when it was originally performed still remains popular today. It illustrates how "The Beggar's Opera" as it was mockingly named, is anything but an opera for it lacks the antiquity, seriousness and most importantly the Italian touch to qualify to be an opera. What it is, is a humorous musical which involves the character periodically busting into song, with the audience finding it hard to restraint their laughter as the play takes as many opportunities to attack the classical opera setting. It concludes that the primary reason why people still enjoy the play is the sad but obvious similarities that were all so obvious in Gay's world to the present day world and that nothing has really changed.

From the Paper
"A world in which the custodians of public trust turn a blind eye to the pilferages committed by minor thieves to serve as greasing to their grand design. The characters of The Beggar's Opera employ methods of profit making, just as every kind of position holder and scoundrel employed in the 18th century and still do. One can draw distinct parallels between the mischievous behaviors of the 18th century statesmen who had access to other people's money and trust, with the corporate raiders of today."

Tags:18th, century, society, musical

Abstract
This paper discusses the use of satire, metaphor and simile in Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". It shows how Gay used his opera to satirize the society of his time, but that this satirization was not derogatory or moralistic enough to give much offense. It shows how Gay's entire cast of characters play the role of metaphor depicting social ills of the time.

From the Paper
"In satirizing the conventions of opera and romance, the Beggar's Opera arranges a meeting of opposites. Macheath the criminal thus refers to himself as a "man of honor". Instead of the expected nobleman, this man of honor is a mere criminal, but he is more than that. Gay turns him into a metaphor for the hypocrisy of those who like to believe in their own heroics. Specifically, Macheath represents the aristocrat and the army officer. His affectations and efforts at romance later in the opera reflect this."

Tags:macheath, satire, simile, metaphor, lockit

Abstract
This paper examines the differences between research writing and writing for a non-scholarly audience. The paper points out that the most obvious difference is that the former can be very difficult to read, but the latter is almost always relatively easy to read. However, there are many subtler stylistic differences as well. This essay examines the differences between the two styles of writing, by comparing Carol S. Dweck's research article entitled "The Role of Expectations and Attributions in the Alleviation of Learned Helplessness" with her popular article "Caution - Praise Can Be Dangerous", and with John O'Sullivan's popular article "Put Gay Marriage to 'Covenant' Test". To conclude, the paper examines the reliability of academic versus popular articles. The paper maintains that the former are peer-reviewed, making them likely to be more trustworthy, while popular articles are not necessarily trustworthy.

From the Paper
"One sometimes comes across articles written by the same authors, but written in different styles in order to suit the kind of article being written. Thus, a researcher may write a research article for a scholarly publication, and also write articles for popular audiences. In this way, the researcher is enabled to communicate with a much broader audience. Thus, a researcher who believes her information is very important may make use of the popular media to communicate what she knows. Dweck is an example of such a researcher/author - she is able to write very competently for both audiences. This shows that she clearly has a finely nuanced comprehension of the different stylistic devices employed in the two different kinds of publications. It also affords the opportunity of comparing her writing style in the two different styles of writing."

Tags:academic, non-academic, layperson, popular, journalism

Abstract
This paper explores how McNeil's book deals with the fact that a gay identity is fully compatible with a rich Christian faith. McNeil argues that the church's rejection of homosexuality is based on a pathological relationship with God that is based on fear. The writer shows how McNeil argues that the Christian God of love is completely incompatible with this God of fear and that both tradition and scripture support relationships between people of the same sex.

From the Paper
"The subtitle of McNeill's book, "Liberating Theology for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Lovers, Families, and Friends" gives a clear indication of the scope and intended audience for his book. From the beginning, it is clear that McNeill's book is intended to help homosexuals and their loved ones better understand how theology can be seen from a gay perspective. McNeill is never apologetic about homosexuality, and Taking a Chance on God is in no way a justification of the presence of homosexuals in Christianity. Instead, McNeill simply assumes that gays and lesbians are present in the church, and interested in how to relate to theology. As such, Taking a Chance on God is a sort of primer for gays and lesbians who want to get the most out of their relationship with Christianity, rather than a defense of homosexuality in the church."

Tags:christianity, church, homosexual, same, sex

Abstract
This article serves as a discussion of homosexuality. The paper looks at homosexuality through the eyes of the Episcopal religious leader John Spong. The writer discusses Spong's book 'Living in Sin: A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality'. The writer examines Spong's acceptance of homosexuality. In addition, the writer looks at Spong's beliefs about interpreting the bible.

From the Paper
"John Shelby Spong's book 'Living in Sin A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality' deals with homosexuality from a unique perspective which has not as yet been discussed in this treatise on homosexuality. Spong's book is at the heart of the debate within the Episcopal Church about the issue of homosexuality. Paula Chin of 'People Weekly' writes that Spong has long been a renegade by favoring abortion, the ordination of women and the blessing of homosexual relationships. Spong set off a furor when he was the first to ordain an ... "

Tags:homosexuality, gay, lesbian, Christianity, tolerance, intolerance, acceptance, god's will, full participation, nature vs nurture.

Abstract
The months leading up to the 2004 presidential election between John Kerry and George W. Bush were filled with commentaries and speculations as to what issues most concerned voters. This paper shows that, from a vast array of topics such as health care, employment, social security, taxes, abortion and gay rights, voters at the polls on November 2 proved that what they were most concerned about was safety, thus homeland security and the Iraq war took center stage over all the other societal issues.

From the Paper
"In an October 30, 2004 article for Newsday, Ken Fireman said that during the last days of the campaign, Bush returned to the theme that has sustained him throughout the year: "that he will be more resolute and aggressive than Kerry in battling the terrorists who struck the country on September 11, 2001" and was aided in pressing this theme home by the sudden reappearance of Osama bin Laden on tape outlining his reasons for ordering the September 11th attacks (Fireman 2004). In contrast, Kerry talked about refocusing his campaign on domestic issues such as jobs and health care, yet never quite managed to do so, and has continually been drawn back into exchanges about Bush's handling of Iraq and the war on terror (Fireman 2004)."

Tags:terrorism, White, House, democrat, Bin-Laden