I felt so strongly about Mr. Peachey’s letter about the “immoral” gay lifestyle, I needed to reply.
He said Abbotsford is condoning this immorality by flying the pride flag. I probably felt the same way, many years ago.
Then one day my son told my husband and I that he was gay. Then I had to find out more information, so I called PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). What a great organization it is. They speak about acceptance and tolerance, and how any person’s son or daughter can be gay.
I can tell you that it is not a choice. My son had an extremely hard time coming to terms with his sexuality. Who would choose to be frowned upon and looked down on? Who would choose that? Or risk being gay-bashed? He’s come to accept it now and so have my husband and I.
I am a Christian and we are taught not to judge, but to love everyone as we would want to be loved. He’s still our son and no different than before we knew.
The suicide rate for gay kids is very high – two to three times the rate of non-LGBT teens. It is because of not being accepted by their friends or family; of not being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Or being thrown out of their homes. I wonder what Mr. Peachey would do if his own son or daughter told him they were gay? For us, we’re going to celebrate our son and the flying of the gay pride flag in Abbotsford.
Maybe someday Chilliwack, and other so called “Christian” communities will also fly the flag to show support for diversity.
Ann McNulty
