We are winning the fight against anti-gay army
I've received a number of communications from readers of the Derby Telegraph expressing concern over three critical responses to my letter "Archbishop of York out of touch with modern thinking" (February 8) "Hit back!" they urge, "don't let them get away with it".
I say to your readers, take heart.
Regarding same-sex marriage, we are winning the battle.
Leaders of the three main political parties are on our side. A majority of MPs, reflecting two thirds of the population, wish to see civil gay marriage enshrined in law. It will happen.
It was expected that correspondents like Nigel Tilly ("Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins", February 14) twist my comparison with 1960s racism and 21st century homophobia. On the other hand, I was surprised Colin Clark ("Archbishop of York is best person for job", February 14) descended to making two inappropriate references about my mother.
In similar low taste, Ray Jordan ("What goes on in your home should stay there", March 5) is "sick and tired of reading about you and your lifestyle". Mr Jordan reminds me of Rod Clulow's letter of last year under the heading – "Frequent letters will not affect views of the majority".
Wrong! Thanks to sustained campaigning from LGBT people, Mr Clulow's majority is now the minority. Debate is necessary and desirable for educating the ignorant and is important in keeping gay issues in the public arena.
To all people disposed to join the chorus against my efforts, I'd make two points: you belong to an ever diminishing army in retreat and your immoderate letters say more about you than they do about me.
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
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
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
Five accused of stirring up hate against homosexuals
Five men are on trial accused of stirring up hatred against homosexuals by distributing a "threatening, offensive and frightening" leaflet in Derby.
The flyer was part of a protest mounted by a group of Muslim men against the annual Gay Pride parade in the city.The leaflet contained quotations from the Koran and a picture of a mannequin hanging from a noose with the words Death Penalty? boldly set out.
A gay man, who had this and another leaflet posted through his letterbox, told the jury at Derby Crown Court: "They made me feel terrorised in my own home.Another homosexual man who received the flyers said he feared his home would be fire-bombed.
Ihjaz Ali, 42, Razwan Javed, 28, Kabir Ahmed, 28, Mehboob Hussain, 45, and Umer Javed, 38, all of Derby, admit playing a part in distributing the leaflet.
But the men deny it was "threatening" or was intended to stir up hatred against homosexuals.
It is the first prosecution of its kind since legislation came into force in March 2010.The court was told that three leaflets were produced as part of the campaign, although the men are only charged over the final one distributed, which was the Death Penalty flyer.
This one included the text: "If the people of a town indulge in illegal sexual intercourse and practise usury of all kinds, Allah promotes its destruction."
The court heard that the leaflet said the death penalty had already been passed on every homosexual and, said prosecutor Bobbie Cheema, it was clear the only dispute was the method by which it should be done – being burnt, flung (from a building or mountain) or stoned.
Another leaflet was entitled Burn or Turn and had an image of a person burning in a lake of fire. It stated that homosexuality was the root cause of all problems. The third leaflet said "Gay – God Abhors You" and stated that Allah was severe in punishment.
Miss Cheema said the men were accused of a "hate crime".
She said: "These five defendants were part of a small group of men who distributed horrible, threatening literature, with quotations from religious sources and pictures which were designed to stir up hatred, hostility, against homosexual people.
"The leaflets you will see are not simply educational or informative. They are threatening offensive, frightening and nasty."
The court heard the leaflets were handed out near Jamia Mosque, in Rosehill Street, and posted through letterboxes in Normanton, in June and July 2010.
The Death Penalty? leaflet was handed out to people outside the Jamia Mosque after Friday prayers on July 2, 2010.
Miss Cheema said a police officer near the mosque at the time was handed a copy by Razwan Javed, who is brother to Umar Javed, and was then given a second leaflet by Ahmed in nearby Madeley Street. On July 3 and 4, 2010, this leaflet was posted through people's letterboxes in the area.
Miss Cheema said this came after the Burn or Turn and GAY leaflets had been distributed to the people of Derby, in the streets and through their doors.
Miss Cheema said Ali first approached police a few weeks before the planned Gay Pride parade, on July 10, 2010, to talk about a counter-protest by members of the Muslim community and was advised that any placards, signs, flyers or speeches that were made should be carefully worded so as not to commit any criminal offences.
The request for the procession was refused by the council because Ali, of Fairfax Road, Derby, had not submitted the application in time.
Many members of the public complained about the first two leaflets and, on July 1, Ali met with police again and told them his group had been giving them out. He was advised that officers were investigating the leaflets to see if any criminal offences had been committed.
Ali also showed police an A4 page of slogans intended for use on placards. Some had been crossed out by his solicitor, he said, and he asked police to check out the remaining ones.
Miss Cheema said they contained such things as "Stay gay and you will pay" and "Allah created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve".
Miss Cheema told jurors that Ali was charged with all four counts on the indictment because the prosecution claims he was the person responsible for organising the distribution of the leaflets.
The jury heard that the charges levelled against the five men involved offences said to have taken place on July 2 and July 4, 2010.
They are all charged with distributing threatening written material intending to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation contrary to Section 29C (1) of the Public Order Act 1986.
Ali faces four charges, while Hussain, of Rosehill Street, Normanton, and Umar Javed, of Whitaker Street, Derby, are charged with two counts each. Razwan Javed, of Wilfred Street, Derby, and Kabir Ahmed, of Madeley Street, Normanton, are charged with one count each.
Concluding her opening speech, Miss Cheema said the case was not about interfering with the defendants' freedom to express their religious views in an attempt to educate or inform.
She added: "The vast majority of Muslims and indeed other religious people or people with no religion who have firm views about homosexuality are able to express their views, if they wish, in a critical but lawful, moderate and self-controlled way."The Death Penalty leaflet goes beyond well beyond any such temperate discussion."
The trial is expected to last for two to three weeks.
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
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
Gay people still suffer in Commonwealth nations
"The Commonwealth is a comic-book phantom of international organisations. It is the ghost that walks."
This savage criticism was written by Greg Sheridan, the foreign editor of The Australian newspaper, to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Such a ferocious attack on a loose association of 54 countries is hardly surprising. In the teeth of a clear commitment from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, to "tolerance, respect and understanding in matters of sexual orientation", it is a disgrace that 36 member states continue to treat same-sex relations as a serious criminal offence. Every day gay people suffer vilification and punishment inflicted by cruel laws dating from colonial days.BBC journalist Andrew Marr reminded the Prime Minister that people have looked to this conference to take a hard line with the homophobic nations in Africa.
I'm grateful to Mr Cameron for confirming that British foreign aid will be withheld from countries who continue to persecute their gay citizens.
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
Gay people should get the respect they deserve
Alan Walker from Stanley Common states that "unless you are gay, you do not command any respect" ("For true Christians, God's law is always God's law", Opinion, March 29). He is "sick and tired of the coverage they get on television and in the papers".
I sincerely wish the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community did command more respect. I wish it was not necessary to continually fight our corner in the media. Mr Walker goes on to say that he has "nothing against gay people".
However, his homophobic interpretation of the Bible gives licence to gay bashers who hang around gay venues looking to enjoy their Saturday night sport.
Many youngsters, who share same-sex attraction, fearing abuse or violence, are afraid to go near these places and continue to be lonely. Mr Walker has no such problem. He will be able to enter and leave his church without any threat of humiliation.
At long last, the equality and diversity efforts of Derby City Council are trying to undo centuries of emotional damage inflicted upon a vulnerable minority. Before the election, Nick Clegg proposed all schools should be required to teach that homosexuality is normal. Some are doing that.
I agree with Mr Walker when he says "enough is enough!" If all gay people "stood up to be counted" they, like Christians, would "gain the respect they deserve!".
Narvel Annable
Dovedale Crescent
Belper
