The Editor, Sir:

Despite her being a 'teacher', I had always held Esther Tyson in the same high regard as I had for women such as Yvonne McCalla Sobers, Dr. Carolyn Gomes, etc. Mrs. Tyson, however, has reminded me why it is I am so disappointed in what is not happening in the classroom.

I do believe teachers owe students far more than what is detailed in a syllabus. I would expect that a teacher, confronted with the following definition for 'family', "When two women or two men live together in relationship as lesbians or gays, they may be considered as a family. They may adopt children or have them through artificial insemination", would be able to assess it for its academic worth and, quite like my 12-year-old daughter (living the last two years in The States) who opined, "It's reality", would also recognise it as such.

My seven-year-old son, having just been taught about nuclear, extended families, etc., is also up to speed on homosexual unions and their "man-made babies" - his words.

Are we saying children are better off in our underfunded children homes than being in the care of lesbians or gay unions? Those of us hetero who are so paranoid about lesbians and gays raising children should make haste and adopt all the children in children's homes before the gays get to them.

Mrs. Tyson's reason for not supporting homosexuality is that the Bible condemns it. What would her position have been had the Bible been silent on the matter? Had God made it one of the Ten Command-ments, we might have been more tolerant, as we seem to be of murders and murderers, notwithstanding the Sixth Commandment, which clearly states, "Thou shalt not kill."

struggles

Mrs. Tyson, I am afraid that you are not thinking outside the box. Clearly, you have missed the boat on the reality of what is not just a Jamaican situation, but more important, a reality the world over. But then again, you have never been confronted with that in a syllabus, have you?

Nonetheless, you need to find the means of equipping yourself so you can assist those young ones in your charge, who, perhaps, are struggling with their sexuality.

I bet you would suggest counselling, but unless you could be counselled from your heterosexual lifestyle, I rather doubt you would have any better luck counselling homosexuals.

I think homosexuality, like autism, dyslexia, epilepsy, etc., are burdens that God in His wisdom and care still allows individuals to struggle with. One may encourage persons to avoid the act of homosexuality, but in so doing, that would not make them any less homosexual than it would make me less heterosexual, should I go through a period of abstinence.

The Minister of Education, the Honourable Andrew Holness, is a politician and he puts a premium on popular votes. Mrs. Tyson, yours is a higher calling and you need to act accordingly.

I am, etc.,

R.A. THOMAS

roathoms@yahoo.co.uk

Spanish Town, St. Catherine