there is still hope for our society

I heard you speaking on Radio National this morning and was moved to write in support of your decision to join the mardi gras parade on Saturday.

As a parent of a gay son, I know only too well the difficulties faced by the gay community in many facets of their lives, a lot of which are created by people who can't, or seemingly don't even try to understand. As a mother, but also as a member of the human race, I am very often saddened and disappointed at the comments, discrimination and sometimes downright rudeness by so-called 'Christians' towards and about homosexuals - Christians being the very group one would expect to have compassion, understanding and love for their fellow beings, no matter what. In fact, in my experience, the opposite seems to be the case.

Obviously you are aware of all this, or you wouldn't be taking the stand you have. I admire and applaud you and your group for joining the mardi gras, I wish you well in your future work and offer my prayers for the enlightenment of the church, the Christian community and the community as a whole. If more clergy like you and your colleagues have the courage to make a stand on this, and other important contemporary issues, maybe there is still hope for our society.