I’ve had a lot of fun with the homophobic correspondence that has graced the Exeter Express & Echo over the past fortnight. But behind all of the bible-beating and God-talk lies the fact that a lot of what has been written is deeply offensive. Whether morals skewed by ancient religious writings or opinions clouded by a bigoted and insular life in overwhelmingly straight white communities, it is sad and disturbing that people not only hold these views, but also feel it necessary to write to a local rag about it. This only serves to promote the impression that a person’s sexuality should be something to be ashamed of and hidden, demonised and disparaged.
Of course, for each idiot who writes there are several who reply cleverly and humouredly, holding up the original correspondent for the fool that he or she is. I haven’t drawn attention to these letters (hey, I’ve got to get my blogs from somewhere), but perhaps to draw a line under the issue (the letters aren’t really saying anything new), I’d like to put up one letter to the E&E over the weekend that I hope will read by Claude, Tony and LT and perhaps make them question why they feel the need to judge and discriminate those whose lives and the way they lead them makes no impingement on their own in any way.
THE BEST THING TO DO IS IGNORE US
It's now 8.03pm. I've got better things to be doing. I should be down the pub. Instead I have sat here for the past hour reading through the last days' Points of view letters. I have been impressed by the fervour felt by both sides of the gay versus anti-gay argument. I have - apparently - variously distressed, angered and disappointed people. Worries me that. It really does.
I want to be a Christian and admire those who are, but I can't reconcile my differences. At least I'm honest.
How lucky those are who can feel the comfort of an all-encompassing faith.
As I pored over what has been written, writing a defence where I thought one was needed, I realised I just can't bear to do this again now. Being a 'right-on' person, I should place this letter in upmost importance. But I can't. Right now, I'm worn down. I'm tired of parrying semantics and rhetorical questions. I've had a hard day's work. I'm miserable.
So I leave you with this personal statement: Ignore me and my partner. Leave us to our repellent lifestyles. We suffer enough.
In public we have become masters of the unseen delicate touch that conveys our long-lasting love.
We walk on the beach at night so you'll never have to balk at the sight of us holding hands. We feel the gaze of eyes upon us as we go for a meal together and become the 'couple of poofters in the corner'.
At some hotels we remain unable to get a double bed.
When we shop I stumble over my words as I remember to call my partner Carl instead of Tweeky or Honeybun.
My kid sister comes home crying 'cos she's got a poofter for a brother. Took an entire week to get her to admit that.
As my partner and I swap over the driving seat each day to go to work, you would have to have amazing eyesight to catch the kiss as we brush past each other. You have no idea how it burns me when I see my boyfriend upset and I can't hug him and tell him it'll be okay - because we are in a public place, because YOU will see. So ignore us.
I'm off down to the pub, where you are. You can be assured we will behave.
Paris Stamp
Hartley Road, Exmouth
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