SIR – Ewan Gear (Worcester News, February 7), in reply to my letter (Worcester News, January 21), says we must consider “longer term implications” of same-sex marriage.
This is true of any legal reform. But the suggestions made by the anti-equality lobby in this debate range from obtuse to alarmist.
To reply on one substantive point, Mr Gear questions whether “the homosexual lifestyle” impacts negatively on health, and if so whether the Government should “promote” it.
A widely cited Canadian study, which found a lower life expectancy for gay men in Vancouver, is the source of many of these “health” concerns.
The authors later issued a note saying “our research is being used... to suggest that gay and bisexual men live an unhealthy lifestyle that is destructive to themselves and to others.
These homophobic groups appear more interested in restricting the human rights of gay and bisexuals rather than promoting their health and wellbeing.”
In fact the research largely reflected the 1980s HIV epidemic.
As with all sexually transmitted infections, their spread is exacerbated by stigmatisation, deterring victims from seeking medical help, for example.
If one is truly concerned about sexual health, then open acceptance of sexual minorities and the promotion of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be embraced, not feared.
BOB CHURCHILL
Bishampton
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