This is only half related, but half is a pretty good start. The Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) lists the personality type INFP as one of the smallest of the general population with a disproportionate representation of great writers. (http://www.personalitypage.com/INFP_car.html goes so far as to state "It's worth mentioning that nearly all of the truly great writers in the world have been INFPs.")
Similarly, an informal poll (http://www.mcmanweb.com/article235.htm) found that the introverted and idealist personality types (INF)are most likely to report being diagnosed with depression. I personally believe that both are linked to personality type, being a oft-depressed INFP writer-type i fit the mold fairly well.

Comparing homosexuality to cancer is a bit, for lack of a better word, stupid. I don't recall the last time anyone has died of TEH GHAY, and don't say AIDS because that's a heterosexual disease too. Same for hate crimes, you have just as good a chance of dying from the black bug (curse you Africa!) as you do if you are homosexual.
Being a heterosexual male, I like being attracted to women. I'm sure the same can be said of anyone. It's not a burden, and if someone said they invented a way to reverse that attraction in order to make me "normal" I would say no thank you. There's probably a good reason fruit flies don't write sonnets or invent the wheel.