Sister stung by insults to gay brother

Dear Straight Talk: My adult-age brother is openly gay and I have known he is gay since second grade. Today at school, friends and I were discussing a movie and one girl screamed, "I hate that gay character!" I found myself saying, What's wrong with gay people? My brother is gay. She then launches into this horrible speech about how being gay is a sin and how she will pray for my brother to change his ways because "God" doesn't like sinners like him. I had to leave and cry! I know this topic is controversial and others share her views, but I still feel sick to my stomach. What can I say to someone like this? " Staci, 16Dear Staci: The panelists flooded the mailbox for you. Please take what works. From Emily, 15: When someone is strong in their beliefs on religion and sexuality there is generally no getting through. But some people spout off in an effort to convince themselves that something is true. Give her another chance. Tell her you admire her for knowing exactly what she believes in but that it hurts to have your brother insulted. From Michael, 16: I have a gay uncle and I hear talk about gays that I don't think is moral. Which brings up the debate: "Who is morally correct?" Stay true to your heart. Don't let this girl, who is most likely influenced by her parents, get into your head. From Megan 19: Your friend probably has never even had a conversation with a gay person and is just repeating what her family and others have told her. Even though people like this are extremely upsetting, stay calm and just say simple things. Yelling at her will make things worse.From Mariah, 16: Many of my friends don't like gays. It bothers me, but they were brought up this way. Frankly, I'd tell her she shouldn't care what other people do in the bedroom.From Kendal, 21: My dad and brothers have always been homophobic. The irony is we have two gay uncles in the family and they never speak ill of them and rarely mention their sexuality. Once you know someone, their sexuality doesn't top the characteristic list. Don't get sucked into a debate, just tell her to forget the prayers because you're not worried. From Johannes, 20: NOTHING! People like this will only quote the Bible and refuse to admit error. Create a slick surface so their remarks slide off.From Ashley, 20: I get so mad when people bring God into it. In the Bible, God says He loves everyone and that it's not our place to judge others. From Lennon, 21: Religious nuts are always going to think it's a mortal sin to be gay. The Pope recently stated that gay marriage was one of the factors responsible for the delay in world peace. Could he be blinded by the Light? From Bird, 17: Much depends on where you live. I live in upstate New York and the gay community gets a lot of respect. But in the Bible Belt you meet the most conservative people. They are missing the point of love. In the next generation I bet anyone will be able to marry the one they love, male or female. From Mary, 17: Everyone has the right to their point of view. I am bisexual and my father hates lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Thus, my mother knows and he doesn't. I hear people talk and I just let it roll off my shoulders. From Nick, 19: It's not for us to judge your friend, and it's not for your friend to judge your brother. All you can control is how you handle someone's judgment.From Geoff, 22: There is nothing controversial about basic human decency and the belief in true equality.Write to Straight Talk at www.StraightTalkForTeens.com or PO Box 963, Fair Oaks CA 95628.