THE EDITOR: Having recently read several “dotish” ideologies in the dailies that condemn gays and their lifestyles, it would not surprise me if some poor frustrated gay boy or girl began harbouring thoughts of suicide. Leading the irresponsible statements that have come about because of the recent sanctioning of a gay Anglican Bishop and the upsurge of same-sex marriages is the head of the Anglican Church in TT. He should choose his words more wisely. There are adulterous homophobes who also preach that it is ok to be gay while branding such unions as sacrilegious. Talk about double standards. I am here to tell all narrow-minded bashers who cloak themselves in religion that God is seeing through your self-serving agenda that selects only certain excerpts from the Bible to justify your cause of hatred to “different” people. The stereotyping is also quite disturbing — people running their uninformed mouths off about a concept they know little or nothing about. The belief for many is that all gay men are filthy perverts who pounce on anything with a penis and who are also capable of fathering children but generally choose not to. Yes, there are gays who fit that bill but many more don’t. Scores of men and women have written before denouncing this sort of bigotry as pure hysteria but to no avail.

I would change my same-sex preference at the drop of a dime if I could have, simply because of society’s unrelenting cruelty. It is not easy being a homosexual, at least not for millions like myself, who are private and contributing law abiders. Most of us are model citizens who remain discreet, or at least try to be. Unfortunately, it is only the flamboyant fussy fags and the ever-popular promiscuous bisexual that bigots see or want to see. These are the groups that critics base their biased opinions on. As I write, I can foresee the thoughts of readers that question, why I don’t pray for change. Do you honestly believe that I don’t do that? I know now that this is my lot in life, one of my personal trials on the road to salvation. On the same road that some high-ranking Church heads believe they are way in front, when in fact they lag behind. With regards to the newly appointed gay bishop who has two children from a dissolved marriage and has been living with his man for 13 years, I concede that he is a sinner. But who amongst us isn’t? The intolerance in this case seems to come from the perception that gay sex is one of the gravest sins. Others don’t subscribe to that thought. Do you think that if this popular Bishop was some how proven to be celibate that his detractors would have accepted him as Bishop? No way hosay. The fact that he is likely to be sexually active only adds fuel to his chastisement when the principal issue lies with his gayness – a situation his imperfect human status cannot change. His prior heterosexual union meant that he put up a valiant fight for years — trying to do the “right thing” before being overcome by his destiny. The same holds for many guys here in TT, a hard-to-hear reality.

God bestowed us all with a conscience and free will. Then he provided guidelines that tell how we should live our lives. Our conscience indicates right from wrong, even in uncertainty and our will chooses right or wrong, having learnt the difference. Our God-given conscience can therefore be comparative to the “written word” as both tell right from wrong, with our conscience further coming into play in defining ambiguous interpretations of the Bible. It follows then, that what one feels in his heart to be right — when his conscience is clear on doing what is perceived to be right, is in fact the right thing to do for that individual. Bishop Gene Robinson’s appointment is just if his conscience is clear that he is who he is destined to be. Similarly, same-sex marriages are moral if the players believe within their hearts, beyond all doubt, that they are meant for each other. After all, the soul has no gender. Let us remember that at the end of the day we are all God’s children, conferred with different skin colours and tones. Many would love to change their colour but can’t. By the same token, others are heterosexual or gay or bisexual and must live with their orientation for life. Blessed is the day when we forego judging people based on whom they sleep with, and instead celebrate the goodness within their hearts. Let God be the judge.

ETHAN G
(In the Closet)
Trinidad

THE EDITOR: We have in recent times heard the call on many occasions for the resignation of Mr Panday as leader of the UNC. Perhaps it should not be forgotten that in politics this is a frequent occurrence. On the last occasion when Mr Manning failed to win the government of this country there were many calls for an end to his leadership of the PNM. It seems that some people just have to be on the winning side whatever the cost. Mr Yetming should take note. There is, however one complaint I must make against Mr Panday, he hasn’t appeared to have made much of an effort to groom a successor and I cannot for the life of me understand why — after all he is the one who has said repeatedly it is time for him to go. May I at this point suggest to UNC members that Mr Suruj Rambachan (and I hope he is willing) be seriously considered for the post — this gentleman has demonstrated on several occasions his suitability for leadership with both his intelligence and personality. I can think of few others in his league and surely Mr Rambachan has not been forgotten by Mr Panday, who has always had a keen eye for talent.

As for that nonsense about the UNC not being interested in constitutional reform when it was in government, there was no need. People seem to forget (conveniently) that Mr Panday invited members of the PNM to serve in a Government of National Unity — reform was obviously not a necessity at that time. The situation now is quite different, for I have not seen Mr Manning extending any such invitation to UNC people to serve on his cabinet. Constitutional reform should be a priority at this time — the UNC in the last few years has demonstrated its ability to command a very large number of votes in both general and local government elections, and should be permitted some voice in the administration of this country, and if withholding its support for major items like the Caribbean Court of Justice will achieve this end, then so be it.

JEREMY BOYD
Gulf View

THE EDITOR: I was shocked when I heard a lady ahead of me in the line purchasing tickets for Carnival Messiah at Queens Hall asking if there were any provisions for the physically challenged. She was hoping to bring her mother whom she knew would enjoy the performance and was looking forward to attending the show. Certainly she said there must be an elevator or ramp. The courteous, sympathetic sales person apologised, but that is all she could do to console this patron. Imagine this new redesigned, state of the art, modern facility opened in 2003 without any consideration for the physically challenged? Since I am not physically challenged I was able to attend this outstanding performance, and during the intermission I made a visit to the ladies’ washroom.

Guess what was on the door of the first cubical? The symbol for a wheel chair. Someone was thinking about the physically challenged when designing the female washroom (I don’t know about the male) as the washroom facilities cater to the differently abled, not the theatre, so my guess is that since no one would ever be using the washroom it should be permanently locked. No wonder the protest by the differently abled has made it to the hundred plus days. Maybe the architects and builder of the renowned Queens Hall knew that the physically challenged would not be employed, and therefore did not cater for them in this new facility. What a pity. And we want to achieve developed nation status? Shame on us!

P KING
Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: Kindly allow us, a group of concerned parents, space in your daily newspaper to convey a message to bishop Calvin Bess. As members of the Anglican Community we are gratified to hear you speak out in recent months on the issues of crime, abortion and most recently homosexuality in the Church. These are all critical situations that deserve the Church’s immediate attention, and your response to these issues clearly displays the commitment of the leadership of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, to confronting challenging situations. There is a matter on which we, parents of one of the private primary schools in the diocese have sought your intervention, yet to date we have not had a response. This is the issue of, what we view as an arbitrary and punitive, increase in school fees from $1400, per term to $1800 per term, imposed on us by the Board of the school. This increase was undertaken without due consultation with the parent body in general, or our elected executive, hence our reason for considering it unfair.

Additionally, when Board members finally came to a PTA meeting, seeking to “justify” the new fees, their arguments lacked validity, depth, and plain common sense. This new fee structure would put our school above the cost of the majority of private schools along the East/West corridor, with the exception of four schools, two of which are the International School and Maple Lead. Additionally, we are one of the few schools that have a capital fee over $500. Over the past eighteen months this Board has taken other decisions that have both angered and alienated many parents. Notwithstanding, because the school is an excellent educational institution, many of us have stayed and not taken our children elsewhere. The fee increase, may however prove to be the proverbial “straw that breaks the camel’s back.” Please understand that we are not opposed to an increase per se, however the amount outlined is too steep and consideration should be given to perhaps pro rate it over a period of 12 – 24 months. As you are aware, school is due to re-open in a few weeks, and while this issue may not carry the same public appeal as some of the others, it is very important to us, as it directly impacts our children. We would be deeply appreciative if this can be addressed at your earliest convenience.

ANN NURSE and
Concerned Parents

THE EDITOR: I am writing in response to Ted Rall’s August 15 article entitled “Bring Home the Troops”. Mr Rall reasoned that it makes no sense for the US to continue its occupation of Iraq. (Well, what does one expect? Didn’t they receive training from the Israeli army in occupation tactics?). Mr Rall claims that the US will not be able to build Iraq to even a shadow of its former self. That is indeed true. However, it would be absurd, selfish and unreasonable for the US to just pick up everything and leave. I believe that the US owes Iraq a huge debt. The US had absolutely no reason to attack Iraq. There was no proof whatsoever of weapons of mass destruction, no invitation by the Iraqi people to deal with Saddam Hussein, and basically no reason whatsoever other than to give the US access to Iraq’s huge reservoir of oil. The world spoke out and decried the war. Even our Prime Minister stated that Trinidad would not support any war that was not authorised by the UN. But Mr Bush did not listen. Now, I believe that the US must pay for its mistakes. In my opinion, the rebuilding effort has failed because the US has not put enough resources into the operation, whether pre-invasion planning or post-invasion control. It is US pride that has made them so hated among Iraqis. We hear of innocent Iraqis being shot by indifferent US soldiers every day (actions mirroring Israel’s shooting of innocent Palestinians).

We hear of a people who are living for months now without water and electricity. We hear of the rapes, the looting and the general lawlessness the Iraqi people face. If the US Government had cared at all about the Iraq people, this would never have happened. Even with the war, if the US Government had really put the focus on rebuilding Iraq, the Iraqi people would have seen a real difference. Now, look at the mess the Americans have caused. At this point in time, the US Government has a lot of apologising to do. They cannot simply remove their troops and leave a power vacuum in Iraq. If they do so, they must ensure that there is a potent security force of Iraqis to help ensure at least a reasonable amount of security for the people. Secondly, they must work with either the UN or the other Arab countries with Iran to ensure that some form of governance is put in place. Thirdly, the US Government must pay the new government retribution money as a result of the wrongs the US Government have done against the Iraqi people. As it is, Mr Rall’s request is fair, to protect the lives of the American soldiers, there is no escaping the huge hole that Bush has dug under the American people, and the US must pay that debt.

TAARIK Z RAHAMAN
San Fernando

THE EDITOR: I would like you to highlight a problem that I’ve been having in obtaining a home with the National Housing Authority, for the past 25 years. I have been applying for housing accommodation but to no avail. I have applied to the Housing Scheme Keys to Your Dreams for a home and my name is down in the Lottery System. I went in for an interview on August 15 2002 and I was told that my name came down for a house in Maloney. I was then told by the interviewer that they would contact me, up to present time I haven’t had any correspondence from NHA. I wrote the Prime Minister on numerous occasions seeking assistance in obtaining a home, I received a reply from the Prime Minister’s office telling me that they forwarded my letter to the NHA. I went in to inquire if they had done anything for me but so far I haven’t reached anywhere.

The amazing thing about this entire situation is that people who have friends in NHA are getting houses. I know people whose friends have called them to come in and pay for houses even before they are built. It is the right of every citizen to have decent housing. The reason why we are having problems with squatters is because of the unfairness taking place at NHA. I am fed up with the whole situation and it seems like you have to pass the bucks or have friends in NHA to get a house from them.

MONICA PHILLIP