Homophobia is just like racism and other bigotry

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Homophobia is just like racism and other bigotry

I HAVE been criticised for comparing gay rights with the 1960s civil rights movement in the USA.

Accordingly, I was delighted to read the words of Coretta King: "Dr Martin Luther King would be a champion of gay rights if he were alive. Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Georgia, and St Augustine, Florida, and in many other campaigns. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own. I salute their contribution.

"Homophobia is like racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry, in that it seeks to dehumanise a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimise the next minority group."

After Derby Crown Court last week sent a powerful message to homophobes who threaten violence against the gay community, I am proud to have made a decision to major in African American History at Eastern Michigan University at a time when the Detroit race riots were tearing that city apart.

I thank Coretta King for her encouraging words.

Narvel Annable

Belper