CHRIS Deerin is entirely right to highlight the difference between "debating and negotiating our way to a healthier culture" and "issuing the online equivalent of punishment beatings to those who dare to differ" ("Why I choose to breathe the fresh air of the non-compliers", The Herald, February 20).
He goes on to write that campaigners on issues of gender and sexuality are offenders in this, who "seem to exist in a state of permanent righteous fury". As a national campaign organisation for LGBTI equality in Scotland, the "civilised values" in debate, which Mr Deerin calls for, are a foundation of our approach. Of course, respectful debate is generally quieter than battle, and so may be noticed less widely.
We invite Mr Deerin to look through our Twitter account and other online media, and that of our trans equality arm, Scottish Trans, or those of sister campaign organisations like Engender, and we hope he will agree.
Tim Hopkins,
Equality Network,
30 Bernard Street, Edinburgh.
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