THE EDITOR, Sir:

I write regarding the news item in Tuesdays Gleaner, under the heading, 'Stop discriminating against gays'.

As you reported the story, this was a call made by a United Kingdom minister of trade and development and was made as a part of discussions regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on the Caribbean.

If the eating of oranges was thought to be the most dangerous activity where malaria or any other infectious disease was concerned, would there be any outcry about the banning of oranges?

Three local health consultants have confirmed, in response to questions posed by the writer hereof, that anal sexual activity is the most dangerous type of sexual activity where sexually transmitted infections are concerned.

In view of the problems with HIV/AIDS, why have our local health officials not warned the population about the dangers of engaging in anal sexual activity?

Standards

Where allegations of discrimination are concerned, the fact is that the law judges behaviour, which is either detrimental to individuals or to the society as a whole. Thus, standards are set, based not on the thoughts or desires of the individual but on the behaviour of the particular individual.

Maybe then, standards and criteria, generally, could be said to be discriminatory in nature. Amazingly, one would have thought that the HIV/AIDS epidemic would have made us glad that we have the buggery law in place! Instead, we are being hoodwinked into thinking to the contrary! Don't be fooled, Jamaica, it's the same argument under a different disguise!

I am, etc.,

S. RICHARDS