[Jake]

First I would like to start off by laughing at Bert, and praising U of I for realizing that there campus is diverse, and as so, must be sensitive to all walks of life.
Second, since I believe that I am the only openly gay person who posts on this site I would think that I have a slightly better personal understanding of the issue. With that said... I believe that homosexuality is not a choice...however, it is possible that I was either hard-wired this way or possibly nutured this way. I am not certian to which of these it is as I am not a scietisnt. However, I know for a fact that I did not just wake up one morning and say, "Hey Im Gay and Proud!! I knew that I was attracted to men even before I knew what the word homosexual was or how to even what sex was.. Your sexual Orientation isnt something you have to think about, it's something you automatically know without having to think. When people come out they say they are confused, which gives hatefuls room to say they are choosing, when in reality the person is just evalutating aned slowing branching out as there is such a taboo in our society against gay, so they want to make absolutely sure that they are gay, before they announce it to the world and open themselves to discrimination.
Third, Niger, your argument that people become gay out of desperation, lacks any evidence or any logic. In my opinion you are pretty loathsome yourself, yet you arent gay to my knowledge....Vice versa, I consider myself to be a decent looking guy. Hell, i could have had tons of girls in high school if i had wanted... I had girls try to get down my pants, and offer me anything i wanted.. but...I simply wasnt interested, and thats the point. People do not become gay out of desperation, atleast that wasnt what happened in my case.
Fourth, as to the debate of where homosexuality arises; no one can state that there point of view is accurate and that others are not, because even today's top scientists dont completely agree over the issue, however, new studies that i have read are pointing that it is not something chosen, but even so, Even if a person chose their sexual oriention, which i dont believe happens, would that give you anymore right to discriminate agaisnt them? America has long been about the "Pursuit of Happiness" and as long they arent hurting you, I dont see any reason why you must bitch and complain... Let people live their lives the way they want to live. I mean.... to quote our grandparents, "If you dont have something nice to say, dont say anything at all!!!"
Finally, I agree with pliedes that relgion has no basis in this arguement because it can not be accpeted as fact, but i would like say that, What i dont understand is why some christians are UNTOLERANT and must make a HUGE deal out of homosexuality, when they do not discriminate people of other religions, and other ways of life, the same way they do homosexuals. My belief is that basically, this argument has less to do with religion and more to do with prejudiced hate. Hate is something that is learned. In my opionion many of you have learned to hate gays from society, much in the same way as fifty years ago when people learned to hate people of color.
So.... to all that this applies, our culture is continuing to evolve to be more acceptive of gays, and as so, it would be more beneficial, easier, and less painful, if you would just bite your hateful tongue, and let people live they way they want to...
p.s. my advice might even spare you a well deserved suspension!!!