Sir,

I have read with great interest the debate on same sex marriage over the past couple of weeks in this letters section and have let a lot of it wash over me. However, as a gay man, I have had enough of some of the nonsense written here recently. I have the utmost respect for the Christian faith, it is a firm foundation to our society and Christian values underpin a deep morality in every right-minded citizen, whether or not they believe that Jesus is the son of God.

Although when people start referring to my being homosexual as being a 'lifestyle choice', it really makes me see red because it is simply not true! I never 'chose' to be gay, feelings I had as I was growing up gave me depression, made me confused and made my self-esteem plummet. It was only after I admitted to myself that I was gay that I became truly happy and with the support of my family, friends and wonderful partner, I can now live a happy and contented life.

Being gay does not define me nor my lifestyle. I do not wish to force homosexuality on people, I don't wish to bring down the church or undermine the principle of marriage. I just wish to live a life with my partner with the legal and civil recognition we deserve.

As for the teachings of the Bible and exact wording, people are casually forgetting that there are some verses of the Bible in which violence towards women is condoned, just because they are married and are 'property' of the man. These views are so deeply abhorrent to modern society they are now widely condemned and swept under the carpet. Exact wording of a document from 1,500 years ago should not dictate how people today are treated. Christians I respect your faith and you should respect my civil right to exist quietly and live my life with my partner as a married couple.

Name and

address supplied