It always seems at least once a semester, this opinion page sees a string of letters openly denouncing the LGBTA community, its people and its purposes, followed the next day by defensive responses. This vicious cycle then repeats itself a few months later. However, it never ceases to amaze me how few Penn State students understand what homosexuality is.

Ms. Keister's and Mr. Mellott's letters (Dec. 2) helped assert this horrifying truth. Both claim to understand homosexuality and refuse to be branded as "homophobes." Neither intentionally nor actively denounces homosexuality, but neither fully understands that homosexuality is not a "bad decision," or that the LGBTA community isn't "demanding that everyone give it their stamp of approval."

First, it must be understood that extensive research supports the hypothesis that homosexuality is strongly correlated to biological, neurological and genetic phenomena. Nobody "decides" to be homosexual, in the same way that nobody "decides" to be heterosexual.

Second, those who identify as LGBT don't need approval for their actions or lifestyles. All that's asked is for open-minded acceptance, and maybe even friendship, and not to be merely tolerated as flawed people who make "bad decisions." I fully support everyone's innate freedom to form opinions and to practice whatever religion he or she wishes.

However, additionally, I ask for open-mindedness, because the closed-mindedness that's apparently all too prevalent here will only result in a huge slap in the face after leaving the utopian bubble of State College.