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Dear Editor (ONCOM)
If ever I needed vindication of my statement that
some gay men had acted with vindictiveness and spite over the issue
of allegedly homphobic comments by Cllr Hilary Dance, then it is
provided by Cass Mann who now threatens me with the Standards Board
for England. There are a number of issues:
1 Were Cllr Dance's comments homophobic? She merely
stated her own personal Christian belief that men were meant for
women not other men (sexually one assumes). Her mistake - which
she has acknowledged was using her Councillor e-mail pathway. Given
that my own homosexuality is hardly the closest guarded secret in
the world, can I say as a gay man that I did not find her comments
homophobic. Disagreeable, yes; homophobic, no. A simple dictionary
definition of homophobia is an "intense" or "extreme"
aversion or hatred of homosexuals. I do not see that in Cllr Dance,
who I know better than Mr Mann.
2 Was Cllr Arbour being homophobic in stating that
it was "hard to believe" that many gay men and lesbians
were afraid to walk the streets of Richmond? Again can I say, as
a gay man, having spoken to many gay friends and acquaintances,
neither I or they share Mr Mann's opinion. In his response Cllr
Arbour was complacent, yes; homophobic, no. Perhaps we should ask
the Police if there has been an increase in violence against gay
men and lesbians since Cllr Dance's letter and whether those attacks
are directly attributable to it?
3 Did I threaten to close down the Online Communities
website? No. I said I was taking legal advice on whether there were
grounds for potential libel proceedings after the publication of
a photo-cartoon (which in my view poked fun of my sexual orientation).
After I received advice that it could be defamatory I asked for
it to be removed, stating that if it was not I would contact the
ISP. I then pointed out that a consequence of that action may result
in the removal of the website (as there is a legal precedent). At
no stage was it my intention to close down the entire Online Communities
website. Perhaps Mr Mann thinks it is appropriate that someone's
sexual orientation should be the object of ridicule?
My mistake - like Cllr Dance before me - was apparently
that I used my Councillor e-mail pathway. As I was being pilloried
as a Councillor, was I not entitled to respond as a Councillor?
The reason for writing from the Members' Room (as I do with most
correspondence which is not personal) is that, after death threats
last year, and on police advice, I do not disclose my home address
or telephone number. Like Cllr Dance, I have apologised for using
my Council e-mail pathway. I am happy to do so again.
4 Did I libel sections of the "borough's gay
community"? Well, first, is there a gay community in the borough?
Does being gay mean that I belong to a community? Judging by the
response of those I have talked to recently they do not recognise
this homogenous group; interestingly none of them have heard of
Mr Mann or his organisation - so just what is this community of
which he is the self-appointed spokesperson? If a libel has occurred,
why not pursue it through the courts. Of course, it would mean suing
the Richmond and Twickenham Times too. Why does he not put his money
where his mouth is?
Finally, I look forward to making a submission to
the Standards Board. In that I will point to the time I spent last
year brokering and leading meetings between the Council and Mr Mann,
after his allegations about institutional homophobia (ring any bells?)
when he claimed the Council were denying his organisation funding.
I took up his case as a gay man, who is a Councillor, trying to
help a charity for gay men. The exercise demonstrated that his allegations
were completely misplaced.
As I have said, both Cllr Dance and I have apologised
for misusing our Council e-mail addresses in an attempt to draw
a line under this matter. If any one has sought to escalate it,
it is Mr Mann. I have not experienced any homophobia as a member
of the Conservative Group or the Richmond Conservative Association
(quite the opposite in fact). Neither do I see any institutionalised
(or otherwise) homophobia in Richmond Council.
No wonder Mr Mann thinks he is being shot at from
within his own ranks. Some of us are moving forward, while he going
backwards.
Marc Cranfield-Adams
Councillor for North Richmond
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