There is much to dislike about the reaction to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender center which is about to be created in Racine.

The center, approved by the City Council on Dec. 16, would be a gathering place, and a place where people could see films, hear speakers, participate in reading groups and workshops on domestic violence, see art shows, and take advantage of testing for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. All of this would be quite useful.

Unfortunately, a number of people objected to the center. They objected so strenuously that police were summoned to City Hall after the meeting, but the disturbance ebbed before officers arrived. Leaving aside the argument of how many famous artists were something other than completely heterosexual and were persecuted for it, the objections have no basis.

One of the founding principles of our nation is that of tolerance for others and their views. It's part of the idea that we are free to worship as will, say what we will, and associate with whom we will. Not contained in the Constitution is the idea that we may repress people who aren't doing harm.

It is also true that people sometimes condemn what they fear or don't understand, and we certainly have a lack of understanding about the reason why people are other than heterosexual or desire to become a member of the opposite sex. Science is far from settling the question, but over the last 15 or so years researchers have amassed a considerable amount of evidence suggesting that sexual orientation is not a matter of choice. From studies of brain differences between homosexual and heterosexual men to a recent study of all twins in Sweden, scientists conclude that sexual orientation is due at least in part to some genetic factors. Researchers in the Swedish study suggested that genetics accounted for about 35 percent of the sexual behavior in men while environment (not family background but, for example, what hormone doses a fetus is exposed to) accounts for about 64 percent.

In other words, people may have no more control over their sexual orientation than they do over the texture of their hair or the color of their skin.

Ideals are all well and good, but they have not stopped many groups from being ostracized or persecuted by mainstream society simply because they are different. So at this time of year when we customarily make resolutions to better ourselves in the new year, let us rededicate ourselves to respecting others.