Madam, – I agree with Otto Inglis (Pride but not without pitfalls, Courier, July 2).
In recent years, proponents of radical gender ideology have tried to impose it everywhere they can.
Education and medicine, sport and politics and even the Girl Guides have all bowed to this new oppressive orthodoxy.
Children are being pushed to the front of transsexual revolution.
Girlguiding UK has said boys identifying as girls will be allowed to use the showers of their choice. Similar guidance endorsed by the Scottish Government says schools should help children to explore their “gender identity” without the consent of parents.
Professor Gary Butler said it is incredibly rare for children to even question their gender.
Many women’s groups and academics have criticised the Scottish and Westminster governments’ plans to allow self-declaration of gender.
We must defend the biblical truth that mankind is made male and female and we must remember the impact on those who fell for the lie that you can be trapped in the wrong body.
Last year, two more former transsexuals shared how transitioning did not bring them the peace they craved.
Foisting LGBT propaganda on to kids without their parents’ knowledge and imposing state guardians should not be supported or promoted by Church or state.
As Christians, it is our responsibility to welcome everyone, but not to affirm wrongdoing.
Dermot O’Sullivan.
8 Law Street,
Dundee.
Countering gender norms
Madam, – I read with dismay reports on the exponential increase in the number of girls referred for gender dysphoria treatment.
Throughout my long career in and around our education system teachers worked hard to counter gender stereotypes.
Among many other benefits, this led to a very welcome increase in the number of girls becoming scientists and engineers.
Sadly, instead of insisting that girls need not to conform to gender norms, its now claimed that those who do not must be trans, and they are referred for treatment.
However I suspect history will judge the medical quackery which encouraged endocrinological and surgical intervention for minors with gender dysphoria to have been a tragic form of child abuse.
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Fife.
No such thing as bad publicity
Madam, – Cineworld, who refused to play the Robert the Bruce film by well-known independence supporter and film star Angus MacFadyen, must be delighted that they changed their minds.
It appears people are flocking to see the film after the publicity it received in the press and social media.
It just goes to prove that people power can change the minds of national and international business.
Of course those of a more unionist persuasion will probably be upset that a film about a Scottish character from history was shown in the first place, which is much against their anti Scottish pro British ideology.
Bryan Auchterlonie.
Bluebell Cottage,
Perth.
Charging point call is a bit rich
Madam, – Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will invest £1 billion in building electric cars even although sales of electric cars are down.
JLR has called on the government to ensure an adequate network of charging points for electric cars.
The manufacturers of electric vehicles should pay for the network via a levy on every car sold.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers complained that cuts in subsidies had led to a fall in demand for electric vehicles.
The grant was reduced so that someone buying an electric car costing £40,000 to £100,000 no longer got taxpayers to give them £4,500, but the new lower sum of £3,500.
If you are rich enough to buy an electric car to parade your green credentials you should not get any taxpayers’ subsidy.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Nesting gulls are still a menace
Madam, – Angus Council advise me that the gull breeding season finished at the end of June.
Who is going to advise the gulls which are preparing another nest on our house roof?
We have been impressed for the last few years with the council’s provision of a cherry-picker and crew to remove nests before the gulls’ eggs hatched.
This year, however, presumably because of financial restraints, Angus Council have deemed that nesting will finish at the end of June.
I have evidence of their service provision as late as July 22 in a previous year. I have lodged an official complaint but don’t expect to get a satisfactory result.
David Jones.
3 Queen Street,
Monifieth.
Beauty is in eye of the beholder
Madam, – What arcane factors determine what is and what is not aesthetically pleasing, or acceptable, in contemporary occidental society?
A cultural dinosaur accustomed to traditional design, I find the present day lack of aesthetic application quite saddening.
What with the ubiquitous telecom masts, waste collection-bins and mushrooming pythagorean buildings, the urban environment is beginning to resemble vast junk yards.
While it can be appreciated that financial constraints provide some degree of excuse, perhaps a more equitable division of “the spoils” would lead toward a more pleasing and, more importantly, healthier environment.
Kenneth Miln.
6 Swallow Apts,
Union St,
Monifieth.
Fox hunting not part of heritage
Madam, – So Jeremy Hunt thinks that fox hunting is part of our heritage. I beg to differ.
It may be the heritage of people who support the aristocratic monarchical system, or the unelected House of Lords, it is not the heritage of the working class.
The majority of people in this country love animals and hate the people who consider watching an animal being torn apart as sport.
If he thinks he is looking for backing from Tory supporters and is successful then I don’t think much of them.
Alister Rankin.
93 Whyterose Terrace,
Methil.
Placards are not acceptable
Madam, – I was saddened to see ‘England out of Scotland’ placards at recent nationalist demonstrations.
I wonder how that makes Scotland’s 400,000-strong English population feel?
Nationalist politicians such as Nicola Sturgeon and Mhairi Black are fond of somehow implying Scotland is relentlessly liberal, even morally superior, yet such banners suggest something rather different.
The reality is Scots are, of course, no more or less liberally minded than those born elsewhere in the UK. What has, however, encouraged a conspicuous minority to believe such anti-English sentiment is not only acceptable but to be celebrated is the kind of nationalist rhetoric delivered daily by the SNP establishment.
Martin Redfern.
Woodcroft Road,
Edinburgh.
