Is It Okay To Hate The Gays?

Someone called T.I.--I've been told he's a rapper, but the only kind of wrapper I know does seasonal work at Macy's--recently made news when he said that celebrities should be allowed to speak out against gay people without fear of being shut down: "“[The Gays are] like,‘If you have an opinion against us, we’re gonna shut you down.’ ... That’s not American. If you’re gay you should have the right to be gay in peace, and if you’re against it you should have the right to be against it in peace.’"
Now that doesn't mean that T.I. doesn't like The Gays, it simply means he should be allowed to speak out about The Gays, and, guess what, I'll say it again, he's right.
If he thinks being Gay is anti-Christian, or is a one-way ticket to Hell, or is just plain nasty what those gay folks do, then that's his opinion, and I'll fight for his right to that opinion.
Even if I think he's utterly wrong.
Now, of course, T.I. is commenting on his comments: "I was quoted correctly, but I was taken out of context...I'm not saying that being gay is being un-American. What I was saying was to use whatever power or authority you have to shut people down because they don't agree with you that's not what America was built upon. The institution allows us, it affords us the right, to speak out peacefully and respectfully in opposition of any point or any topic that comes up...I'm not against gay marriage...but for the people who may have an opinion against it, then for the corporations to throw their weight around to shut them down, that's not fair."
See, it's his opinion, and he has a right to it. Just like I, or any other LGBT person, or LGBT-friendly person, has the right to stop buying his music or watching him on TV. That's my right.
But to decide that because he has certain views means we ought to 'shut him down' is ridiculous. We are all never going to agree on everything, but we need to have the discussion. Should T.I. change his mind? Sure, if he decides to do so, but not because he's been forced to do so.
So I won't buy any T.I. raps, not because of his opinion, but because the only wraps I like these days have Turkey and Swiss in 'em, or a big frilly bow on 'em.
But, that's my opinion.