HOW hateful and/or bored do you have to be to bother writing homophobic letters to your local paper (Why do they want to be called gay?, LET, January 12)?

Homosexuality has been legal for nearly 40 years and gay couples are now entitled to the same legal rights as their heterosexual counterparts.

Many of the most successful and respected figures in British society are openly gay.

To paraphrase your writer, I have no doubt he would prefer to be called "traditional," as it seems to remove the stigma of his homophobic views.

When he smiles and says "I hold traditional views" people can tend to be more tolerant of his outdated attitudes.

Perhaps he should emigrate to Saudi Arabia, where his views seem to be more in vogue. He can even cheer on the next round of beheadings!

Name and address supplied.