"What goes on in your home should stay there"
With regard to the letters from Nigel Tilly ("Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins") and Colin Clark ("Archbishop of York is best person for job") (Telegraph, February 14), I couldn't agree more with their opinions on Narvel Annable's remarks about Dr Sentamu's background and oblique reference to his colour.
Also, I couldn't care less about what you and your partner get up to in your own home but don't keep trying to justify it in the media.
I am sick and tired of reading about you and your lifestyle. Give it a rest, please.
Ray Jordan
Marlborough DriveBelper
Archbishop of York is best person for job
SO, frequent correspondent Narvel Annable thinks the Archbishop of York is out of touch with modern thinking.
Well, he would say that, wouldn't he? Narvel has never replied to my letter recently when I asked him to explain the link in genetics which caused people to be born homosexual. He didn't respond because there is no link.
Homosexuality is a choice and it is not surprising that his mother was upset by her son's way of life.
Now he has the audacity to castigate the Archbishop of York for condemning same-sex marriages. This would surely make his mother extremely ashamed of him?
I do not think it matters that the archbishop is Ugandan, neither does it matter that he was invited rather than elected into his position in the Church of England. What matters is that he is the best person for the job irrespective of race, class or creed.
Narvel may be appalled that the Archbishop is taking a stance against same-sex marriage but he is just as entitled to his opinion as Narvel is to his chosen way of life.
It is obvious that Narvel is far from comfortable with his selected lifestyle, otherwise he wouldn't spend so much time trying to justify it.
Colin Clark
Oakover Drive
Allestree
This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:
Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins
I have no desire to enter into debate with Narvel Annable ("Archbishop out of touch with modern thinking", Letters, February 8) because I know from his previous letters that he is unable to understand anyone who offers any view of sexual ethics which is different to his own.
I, for one, was pleased to hear Dr Sentamu's recent comments on marriage as being an institution which can only be rightly entered into by persons of the opposite sex.
Whatever arrangements might be accepted in this country to recognise gay relationships, "same sex marriage" is an oxymoron.What concerned me most about Mr Narvel's letter was his reference to Dr Sentamu as "an unelected African".
This indicates to me that his attitude to someone's origin is less liberal than his attitude to their views on sexual relationships.
I am very pleased that the Church of England has an Archbishop who not only speaks out but also does it as someone with a background very much different from that of all of his predecessors.
Please can we agree or disagree with Dr Sentamu on the basis of what he says and not on the basis of his country of origin?
Nigel Tilly
Palm Close
Littleover
Archbishop out of touch with modern thinking
Dr John Sentamu has condemned the Government over its plans to legalise same-sex civil marriage. As Peter Tatchell said: "The Archbishop of York's demand to preserve the tradition and history of marriage is similar to the arguments that were past used by the church to justify slavery, colonialism and the denial of votes for women. His stance brings shame and dishonour to the Church of England."
I find it appalling that, of all people, an unelected African should be telling the elected PM of this country to discriminate against gay people who wish to enter into a loving, same-sex civil marriage which is now approved by two-thirds of the population. These proposals to ensure marriage equality for all couples are for register offices only.
Dr Sentamu's recent homophobic outburst shows him intolerant and out of touch with modern thinking. Dismissing my 2006 civil partnership to Terry Durand as a mere 'friendship' is insulting to our 35- year union.
This bigoted Archbishop wants to preserve the status quo. He wants lesbians and gay men to remain inferior to the heterosexual majority.
Before advocating discrimination he would do well to reflect on the bravery of those protesters who, indirectly, made it possible for an African to become the Archbishop of York.
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
Good to hear people like Narvel are speaking out
Narvel Annable's words about centuries of bigotry and medieval beliefs are so true (Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice, Opinion, November 25).
Even today, gay women in Africa are being raped to normalise them.If there is a God, thank God for the good name of people like Narvel for speaking out.
I've read some of Narvel's books and I can honestly say they are the best written books I've read in my life.
John Sellars
Carver Road
Burton
Remember Rose, a great champion of young gays
AS we approach November 11, spare a thought for Rose Robertson, who died last August aged 94. She was a secret agent in Nazi-occupied France, a member of the Special Operations Executive, but had great difficulty talking about her wartime experiences.
However, she did reveal an incident which occurred in 1941. Billeted with two young male French Resistance fighters, Rose discovered them in an embrace. She knew nothing of homosexuality, was curious and horrified to hear of family prejudice and rejection. Their story affected her deeply. She was shocked that parents could be so heartless to their gay children.
After the war, Rose set out to learn more about people like me. She met distressed gay teens damaged by religious groups. She met parents – like Mr and Mrs Annable – who were variously distraught, angry, guilty, ashamed and hostile towards their children's "perversion".
In 1965 she formed the Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG) which seeks to mediate between parents and kids in an effort to find understanding, acceptance and reconciliation.
Rose was an effective campaigner and gradually, police, local authorities, and irate parents began to trust this reassuring figure.
It all comes too late for Narvel. My parents are dead. To the best of my knowledge, I have one sister living in the USA. We have not spoken since 1963. Could Rose have made a difference?
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
