Freedom of speech and opinion is a high priority for me, but sometimes I wish people would just shut up and think before they speak or write their ideas. Our actions and opinions have vast effects on individuals, communities, and the world at large. The letter to the editor written by Ryan Welch entitled “Homosexuality and Judgment” is a travesty to homosexual and educated people everywhere.The diversity of the world is incalculable and everyone will not simply fall into the straight, white, Anglo-Saxon, protestant, upper-middle class male category. As for, “Scientifically, there is no possible way for a ‘homosexual gene’ to be,” I’d like to see the science. There is no possible way for you to be a scientist if you are extremely biased. The point of science is to learn something that wasn’t known before, and I fear Ryan may never see the truth of homosexuality.As far as the religious persecution of homosexuality, I am left baffled. Is Christianity no longer about love and forgiveness? Isn’t your God the one who deems what is a sin or not?Homosexuality probably is addictive, love has that effect. Heterosexual people have the same experience. They are introduced to heterosexuality in their environment. They think about it and this can become an addictive behavior as with most straight teenage boys thinking of girls. Heterosexuals also maintain an increase in explicitly in order to maintain excitement, also known as first, second and third base.The comparison of homosexuality to the process of becoming a “pedophile, rapist and a serial killer” is one of the most vile statements that was said and stated with an air of supposed legitimacy and superiority that angers me to no end. I’d like to compare becoming a homosexual to becoming a doctor, police officer, or firefighter. You get the idea, you think about it, you become official with much deliberation, much effort and stress (through school or “coming out”). A homosexual and a doctor are reaffirmed of their choice by the love and admiration they receive from their partners/patients and loved ones. Homosexuals have the conflict of “coming out,” and doctors have conflicts with the time consuming nature of practicing medicine (not meaning that these conflicts are equal, but both are difficult to manage). Judging a doctor over a mechanic for surgery has logical survival advantages. Being prejudiced of homosexuals whose life choices have no bearing on your own has no advantages. Only the disadvantage of bringing more hatred and pain to this world.I almost wish I were gay so I could speak from personal experience. Then I could explain how society needs to encourage the homosexual community and not be afraid of something you do not understand. I was born and also chose to be straight, but perhaps my experience of being straight and having unhampered, unbiased affection for all peoples can help someone see that homosexual love is still love, and that can only be good.