The Bigotry of Orson Scott Card

Orson Scott Card is a successful author of science fiction and fantasy novels, genres I enjoy immensely, but you won't find me reading his books. And this is why.

Card is a bigot of the first order. He claims not to be a homophobe, but I think his words and deeds speak for themselves.

For a start, he claims that homosexuality is an acquired characteristic linked to childhood abuse or molestation. Well, I'm sure I'd remember. I find this argument insulting to say the least. Sexuality is not a matter of choice and to say that all homosexuals have been abused is just ridiculous.

He claims same-sex marriages are unnecessary as "any homosexual man who can persuade a woman to take him as her husband can avail himself of all the rights of husbandhood under the law." So I should make marriage a farce by marrying someone I do not love and have no sexual interest in? As Card is on the board of directors of the National Organisation for Marriage, you'd think he had a better view of marriage. But then this organisation seems to have less interest in preserving the purity of marriage and more to do with preventing same-sex couples claiming the same rights.

He also states that "laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books, not to be indiscriminately enforced against anyone who happens to be caught violating them, but to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society's regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens within that society." So my "aberrant behaviour" makes me unacceptable within society?
Homophobia is well named, although I honestly cannot see what he is so frightened of...

And Card is supporting the National Organisation for Marriage with funding from his work. Not just his novels, from the Marvel comics adaptions and from the recent video game The Shadow Complex. Essentially, he is funding protests against the "potentially devastating social experiment" that is same-sex marriage.

So I won't buy his books or comics. I won't play the video games based on his works. And maybe I'll be missing out on some great fiction, but at least I won't be compromising my morals.