Ignorance breeds bigots | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Re Richard Teerlink's letter of June 20 ("Born gay," Forum):

One line in the Old Testament Book of Leviticus is the only source of knowledge that anti-gay bigots adhere to. I would urge people to study a little more science to become truly moral in their regard toward those who are different.

A 2008 study by Brendan Zeitsch of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research concluded, "There is considerable evidence that human sexual orientation is genetically influenced." In Scientific American Mind, scientist Emily V. Driscoll stated that homosexual and bisexual behavior is quite common in several species and that it fosters bonding: The more homosexuality, the more peaceful the species.

Read also James Schwartz' book Pursuit of the Gene: from Darwin to DNA." published in 2009 by Harvard University Press. One can also learn more about the biological aspects of homosexuality by searching "Double X Chromosome."

Teerlink has it right. Insufficient learning breeds bigotry.

Mary C. Barnes

Salt Lake City