Lib Dem MP responds to criticism over anti-homophobia campaign: ‘Most people are sick of homophobia’

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Liberal Democrat MP John Leech, the supporter of a campaign to eradicate homophobia in football, has responded to a letter from a disgruntled constituent who accused him of trying to “brainwash children”.

The letter Mr Leech, MP for Manchester Withington, was responding to, also questioned whether paedophilia will be made legal following same-sex marriage, and attempted to link homosexuality with paedophilia.

In his response, sent to PinkNews, Mr Leech explains that the “Vast majority of people would be greatly offended by your assertion that ‘we are sick and tired of this political correctness in our everyday lives'”.

He goes on to write: “I would go so far as to say that most people are sick and tired of a small minority of people making offensive homophobic comments like those in your letter.”

Speaking to PinkNews, he said: “It is examples like this that just show us how far we still need to go to tackle homophobia and inequality.  I was tempted to ignore this extremely offensive letter but I think you need to tackle homophobic views head on.”

Mr Leech was named one of four Top MPs by Total Politics magazine for his campaign to end homophobic chants at football games.

The letter from the constituent is available to read below.

Leech,

The report that you are hosting a discussion on homosexuals highlights how useless you lot are. Do you think that nonsense is a priority in football?

We are sick and tired of this political correctness in our everyday lives, now you people are trying to brainwash children and others into this perversion. You make me sick.

You and your ilk are talking to kids saying men marrying men is normal. What next, paedophilia?

Already the creeps are trying to lower the age of consent – 21-18-16 what’s next 14-12-10. It’s evil what’s going on. Porn being shown in schools in the name of sex education and you want to teach kids about homosexuality. You are sick and evil. I hope people like you get voted out at the election all stay in the gay village where you belong.

Mr Leech’s full response is available to read below.

I was tempted to treat your letter with the contempt that it deserved, but I found myself not being prepared to ignore your ignorant, offensive and homophobic letter.

Setting aside the fact that the discussion I hosted in Parliament was about the need to tackle homophobia in football, not a “discussion on homosexuals” as you seem to claim, the vast majority of people would be greatly offended by your assertion that “we are sick and tired of this political correctness in our everyday lives”.

In fact I would go so far as to say that most people are sick and tired of a small minority of people making offensive homophobic comments like those in your letter. You are, of course, entitled to hold your offensive views, but please do not bother to waste my time, and yours, by expressing them to me.

Yours sincerely

John Leech

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