Whenever one comments about the homosexual lifestyle, the pejorative responses I received are not unusual.

However, as a retired doctor, I assure the very gentle men that I am neither ignorant nor silly. I became concerned about the gay marriage/adoption issue not only by the television emphasis with children, but by an informative article in a local newspaper describing the lack of screening for HIV/AIDS.

That reference to the article was deleted from my published letter, but it should be read by those concerned about the disease. It should be obvious that the state of Washington must not order children to live with infected persons who may then infect the children and condemn them to a life of expensive medical treatments, pain and worse. A simple blood test can prevent it.

All parents know that raising a child inevitably involves exchanging bodily fluids. It is definitely not “in the best interest of the child” if the parent has HIV/AIDS.

In discussing this with my son who treats infected children in his medical practice, he made a valid suggestion that the law should also prohibit placing children in foster homes where the providers are positive for the disease. For the sake of the innocent children, I hope that the homosexual community will support my proposal.

Edward Bell, Kirkland