Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice

The recent controversy over racism in football hinged on the significance of a handshake.

This put me in mind of a parallel incident when I was approached by Mormons.

They assured me that I was loved by God but my homosexuality was unnatural and unacceptable.

I countered with the fact that my sexuality and body were one and the same. We came as a package.

Several minutes of heated negotiation ended, as always, in stalemate.

One of them suggested that we should agree to disagree and offered me his hand. I refused. I explained that accepting would condone centuries of bigotry.

I argued against being a party to religious prejudice. A handshake would not deal with the root cause of the problem. When the Mormons renounce and apologise for their medieval beliefs and cruel conduct, I will shake a Mormon hand.

Homophobes and racists should look to the example of Sepp Blatter, who apologised once made aware of his hurtful comments.

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper