Today's Out Spotlight is an author and journalist who regularly appears on national television and whose commentary is featured in major national publications. He is a leading advocate of same-sex marriage, and one of the most influential political writers of his generation. He is openly gay and a practicing Roman Catholic. Today's Out Spotlight is Andrew Sullivan.
Andrew Sullivan was born in South Godstone, a small town in southern England, August 10, 1963. After earning a B.A. in modern history from Oxford University he received a fellowship to study at Harvard University, where he earned a masters degree in public administration and a Ph.D. in government. He has lived in the United States since 1984.
In 1986, he began at The New Republic (TNR) and in 1991, he was named the magazine's editor, the youngest in its history. In the five years Sullivan was at the helm, the magazine's circulation grew and advertising revenues increased. He expanded TNR's sphere beyond politics to cover such cultural topics as same-sex marriage and affirmative action. He created a stir by publishing excerpts from the controversial study on race and IQ, The Bell Curve.
In the 1990's Sullivan became known for his writing on gay issues. His article "The Politics of Homosexuality" has been called the most influential article of the decade in gay rights. "Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality" was the first book to advocate civil marriage rights for gay couples. He also published "Love Undetectable: Notes on Friendship, Sex, and Survival" and edited a reader, "Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con." Sullivan has gone on to author and edit six books.
As a practicing Catholic, Sullivan has challenged the Roman Catholic Church's position on homosexuality. In Virtually Normal he takes the position that the Bible forbids homosexuality only when it is linked to prostitution or pagan ritual.
His Burkean conservativism is rooted in his British Catholic background and in the political philosophy of his mentor, Michael Oakeshott.
Sullivan started his blog, "The Daily Dish," in 2000. He eventually moved the blog to various publishing platforms, including Time Magazine, The Atlantic, and The Daily Beast. In 2013, he switched to an independent, subscription based format.
His articles have appeared in The New Republic, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Postand Esquire. He is a regular guest on "The Chris Matthews Show," "Charlie Rose," "Anderson Cooper 360°," "Meet The Press," "Face the Nation," Nightline," "NPR's Fresh Air" and "Larry King Live."
He currently serves as a columnist for The Sunday Times of London.
Ross Douthat and Tyler Cowen have suggested that Sullivan is the most influential political writer of his generation, particularly because of his very early and strident support for gay marriage, his pioneering blog, support of the Iraq War, and subsequent support of Barack Obama's candidacy.
Sullivan currently resides in New York and Provincetown, Massachusetts with his husband Aaron Tone.
"The most successful marriages, gay or straight, even if they begin in romantic love, often become friendships. It's the ones that become the friendships that last."
