I am, of course, referring to those so-called Christians who hold to a narrow and dated interpretation of the Bible, and live in such isolation from reality that they will not have the conviction or courage to speak to or reach out to others, such as the gay community.

I am referring to a series of letters from a number of evangelical Protestants ending with that of Cllr David Barbour (Writeback, December 27). I should make it clear that I know a large number of evangelical Christians who are goodness itself and have the generosity of spirit towards others that Christ taught us to have. People like David Barbour do not have a monopoly on the good things of life and, in particular, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think many of your readers, and those of us who are gay, are tired of the same old mantra or rant about Christians being persecuted by this Government when it comes to implementation of the equality regulations for goods services and facilities about to come into force next week.

These regulations have been the subject of misunderstanding, spin and downright lies, and unfortunately much of this has been generated by those Pharisees - narrow-minded and unimaginative.

When we responded to the consultation, we were anxious to ensure freedom of conscience for those who had doctrinal objections to homosexuality in the pulpit, in guesthouses where the Christian owner's family also resides and in the field of education.

One of our number has been so concerned about Elim Pentecostal churchman Eric McComb's statement, that he would go to prison rather than change the constitution of his church, that he has written to him to tell him that he has been misinformed; the regulations will not mean he will have to change his church's constitution as all churches remain able to doctrinally oppose homosexuality, and to say so during an act of worship.

We would love these churches to talk with us on all the issues surrounding sexuality (not sex, as none of us would ask any heterosexual couple what they might get up to in private). Only then can a number of misunderstandings be cleared up.

LET'S TALK Belfast