The Editor, Sir:

I commend The Gleaner editorial in your brilliant article "Homophobic silliness and the failure of leadership". It was an intelligent article, covering all the critical points related to the controversial 'Hardtalk' BBC interview by PM Bruce Golding. Sadly, I was very disappointed that Mr Golding stooped to that level of phobia, considered he answered the initial questions well and with diplomacy.

I'm really curious as to how Mr Golding is going to prevent gays (and I assume lesbians) from entering his Cabinet administration. Will he have a special form, requiring all prospective candidates to state their sexual orientation, and proof of partners?

And what does this have to do with governance and leadership? Mr Golding needs to understand, that his comments were silly, and very derogatory, very contrary to basic human rights principles. It's this kind of talk which influences crime and violence.

Gradually becoming a relic

I'm indeed disappointed in Mr Golding, he is gradually becoming a relic, whose leadership has failed. He had the opportunity, as your editorial pointed out to exercise better judgement as a leader and person of influence. Perhaps the issue of dual citizenship which may well force a snap election and even cause a change in power, is indeed a blessing in disguise.

This obsession with homophobia is really silly. I will never understand how some can claim that gays and lesbians are 'imposing' their lifestyles on others, because they are pressing for more tolerance and the right to coexist like all others, in peace and harmony. Do heterosexuals seriously believe that gays can cause them 'to switch'? Where is the 'imposition'?

I encourage Jamaicans, at least the more intelligent ones, to get over it, and move beyond this silly homophobia, and start addressing the very serious issues standing in the way of development and national prosperity.

I am, etc,

PETER DELISSER

pdelisser1988@yahoo.com

Canada