I sincerely appreciate the reply, though I still don't buy the "condone hate crimes" bit. I understand the point, but I can't imagine anyone who isn't a gay hater at heart twisting Dawn's words into a reason to "turn" into a gay hater. The Fred Phelps crowd gets no love on her blog. And for what it's worth, I don't consider the New York Times (Dec. 10 edition) a mainstream publication either. Peace, lads...no hate here.

OK, one more brief post for the hat trick. Just to clarify: when I speak of those I know who "chose" gayness, I'm speaking of at least three cases where the person had previously "chosen" heterosexual marriage, seemingly wholeheartedly. I remember once when both bewildered husband and "Honey, I'm gay" wife stopped by the house separately for impromptu "therapy" sessions. (On the other hand, I can't believe the guy in the next cubicle over apparently doesn't know he's gay.) In that context, I'm not sure the "fucking hypocrite" brand fits here. Lots of people change, and the fact that they didn't change in your preferred direction doesn’t make it hypocrisy. That said, what's the word on "delayed onset" homosexuality?

But seriously, folks. I had read the posts on Dawn's blog before they were deleted, and they certainly weren't an attempt to engage in sincere discussion; just an extension of what's been said here, e.g., ugly crazy batshit fascist. Which is disappointing, because there's an opportunity here to educate.

I don't agree with a lot that was said in the interview, but I also don't sense the intentional cruelty so apparent in many of the responses. I understand the double-edged sword presented: if one is born gay, straights may see homosexuality as a "genetic defect" that can be cured, while if one chooses homosexuality of his or her own free will, that person is only exhibiting abberant behavior that can be "corrected." To me, homosexuality is in most people a combination of the two influences; while there's a huge genetic spectrum between feminine and masculine, I've also known those who suddenly "discovered" their gayness in college or beyond when the environment made it "cool" and relatively "easy" to be gay.

I'm not gay, but neither have I enjoyed a religious awakening of the sort Dawn has described, so I can't speak to that influence. I guess I'm just flummoxed by the intensity of the "hate speech" in response to Dawn's "hate speech." I'm "steeped in gayness" in my own life, so to speak, and I'm the one who's closeted myself among my friends as a conservative, because frankly I don't want to endanger friendships by trying to open a discussion of these issues. Is there any chance of that happening here?

I admit it: I'm a hardcore syncophant.

I too was appalled at the spectacle of someone talking about masturbation. After being asked about it in an interview. In 2006! We have got to pull a Jocelyn Elders on this chick and shut her down before she's allowed to express her opinion again! Dibs on the pitchfork and torch concession at Borders.