I am impressed by the artlessness Andrew Mungons exhibits in his recent letter to the editor. He describes frustration at the way the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual community, and the Christian community, both tremendously diverse groups, cannot have a “proper discussion about beliefs.”

Claiming it is bizarre for people called “immoral” to conflict with their oppressors is absurd. For someone to ignore the suicide rate among gay teens or the murder of transgender people and to continue holding barbaric homophobic beliefs is, at least, unethical.

As part of his personal theology, Mungons believes “homosexuality is morally wrong.” He follows that by saying “hateful speech” is also immoral. I submit that those two statements are irreconcilable as the first is, in fact, hateful speech.

Mungons claims not to be advocating hateful speech despite conspicuously spouting it. He incites hate and is hateful. He is the immoral one. No one, however, should be trying to stop Mungons from saying this. We need to know what people like him actually think.

While his vile, ignorant, bigoted speech is entirely inappropriate for a civilized and “proper” discussion, he has every right to express himself. I will defend his right to articulate an opinion against anything and anyone, no matter how vehemently I disagree.

Those who want to stop hate speech should work to change minds and hearts, not law. Free speech is more important than comfort and civility. Mungons, while shamefully playing the privileged heteronormal Christian victim, is correct on this point.

Also, if Mungons wants to be my friend, then he should stop discriminating against people for their inborn nature. Just a suggestion.