Jamie Quinn's apparent request for those people holding controversial opinions to refrain from gathering in support of them and to abstain from expressing them on the opinion page of The Daily Collegian disgusts me ("Argument supporting gays no different than Preacher's," April 6).

Quinn makes her request on the grounds that Penn State "is a place where students come to learn, not [a place to] be harassed and forced to listen to views that just do not belong on the grounds of Penn State." She forgets our ability to freely express our opinions (specifically, in designated forums such as "opinion" pages of newspapers) is absolutely vital to a so-called higher education.

In fact, being exposed to ideas and situations that one wouldn't be forced to confront otherwise is not only the sign of a satisfactory education, but one could argue that such situations are the most effective way to foster personal growth. Moreover, Quinn has overlooked that no one is forcing her to pay attention to the Pride Week events at Penn State, nor read an opinion piece in the paper nor accept the Willard Preacher's moral messages.

Unfortunately, Quinn appears to be too focused on squelching the personal expressions of others to realize there is a little truth to every person's perspective, regardless of how effectively or by what means he or she chooses to express it.