Letter: Gay sex 'innate'

Mr Lucas is presumably not aware that, quite apart from what he terms the aggressive gay lobby, mainstream opinion among biologists and psychologists is that gay orientation and gay sex are essentially innate. Furthermore, both are prevalent throughout the animal kingdom.

If Mr Lucas chooses to regard gay sex as "immoral", I cannot force him to change his mind. But I suggest that it is he who should "get over it".

(Rev Dr) John Hunt

Twickenham Road

Isleworth

Richard Lucas refuses to accept scientific evidence that undermines his stated claim that homosexuality is a "behaviour" and not an "inherent characteristic" like race.

He is seriously deluded when he writes of "the aggression of the gay lobby".

Does he not remember the realities of Scotland in 2000 when the homophobic billboards went up? Gay people were physically attacked and verbally abused. Religionists turned on gays with lies and innuendo.

Intellectuals were discredited, windows smashed at Glasgow's gay centre; there were horrible beatings and even murders.

Never again.

Garry Otton

Finnieston Street

Glasgow

Richard Lucas (Letters, 15 June) explores the notion that Brian Souter's knighthood is somehow connected with so-called "homophobia", a term now used to describe an aversion to homosexual practice.

Such practices have no evident biological function and public attitudes to such activities are now largely based on scriptural references in the Old Testament.

It has now to be recognised that, in contemporary society, we have moved on from human sacrifice and there is now no possibility of anybody being turned by divine wrath into a pillar of salt, for a nostalgic taste for what appears to have been a popular practice in Sodom in pre-Christian times.

(Dr) David Purves

Strathalmond Road

Edinburgh