Letter was narrow and intolerant

As a homosexual individual I find Mr.Ridpath’s uneducated listing (Letters, Jan. 2) of risk factors and comments about quality of life for the homosexual community ridiculous and I believe they fully expose his narrow, religious-based intolerance of difference.

I would agree that there is a tremendous amount of stigma for individuals openly claiming their sexuality, much as there is for other individuals living with disabilities, addictions, obesity or those living on income assistance.

For people like Mr. Ridpath to comment on a lifestyle he knows nothing about is indicative of those who sit in judgment from their perceived moral high ground, one that ultimately serves to further marginalize those who do not fit his or mainstream society’s ideal of how to live.

I think that Mr. Ridpath is actually employing “wrong thinking.” I believe if he is truly worried about the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the community he has chosen to comment about, his energy and efforts would be better spent dispelling myths and promoting the celebration of diversity, thereby diminishing the stigma that hurts so many individuals in our society today.

In the spirit of community.

Debbie Paquette
Nunavut