I'm writing in response to a peculiar, yet interesting scene I witnessed on Monday. Before my class, I was sitting on the Willard steps enjoying my crossword puzzle and Sudoku when a loud, colorfully dressed group of homosexual students and supporters set up camp in front of the Willard steps to celebrate Gay Pride Week here at Penn State ("Gay pride treks to Willard steps," March 27). Because this is the territory of Gary, our infamous preacher, two thoughts sprung to mind: This could be hilarious and this could also be quite an interesting, intelligent discussion from two camps who could not be more opposite. Unfortunately, neither happened.

Now, first of all, I'm going to say this so there is no confusion: I am not anti-gay in any way. What two consenting adults do in their bedroom is their own business and no one else's. Should I ever feel the urge to want to have sex with a man, I should be allowed to.

But what struck me today about this scene is that the gay community at Penn State does more to hurt their cause than a thousand Gary Cattells could ever do. Popular opinion is that gay people are born that way.

Let's say this is so. That's fine then. However I do not believe the genetic code of being gay also includes impulsions to wear eye shadow and a tiara or to dress as a woman and speak in an incredibly annoying French accent and generally act like an idiot in public. What I hoped would be a discussion of rights turned into a scene from a Villiage People concert. While this chicanery was going on, Gary challenged the gay students to partake in discussion. He asked them repeatedly to defend homosexuality and they ignored his questions, preferring to ridicule him. Say what you will about Gary, but one cannot deny that he is a well-spoken individual who will always listen to the students brave enough to engage him. You may not agree with him, but he's willing to debate and he will not yell or interrupt you. A gay person's opinion of his homosexuality would be invaluable currency in the neverending debate about it.

If gay people can't articulate their stance and defend it, then they have no business rallying for their cause. This was a golden opportunity wasted. Do something with substance. Engage in intellectual debates. Challenge people of differring opinion. Turn monologue into dialogue. Do something other than act like jackasses wearing unfunny clothing and speaking in feminine inflections. Do more than scheduling events in bars just to get a picture in the Collegian of a man wearing shorts that would make Daisy Duke blush.