Sir, – Richard Waghorne’s academic-like riposte (Opinion, April 20th) to arguments in favour of gay marriage belies what true conservatism is or should be. Instead of coming up with real and substantive reasons why it is legitimate to differentiate on gay relationships, he panders to the same old demands that we continually have to endure from an outmoded and anachronistic institution. Central to his reasoning is that marriage is child centric and therefore provides the “most advantageous” upbringing. As a single parent I find this not only untrue but also empirically false.
There is now a body of evidence comparing straight and gay parenting and the results are negligible in terms of psychological and material wellbeing. Indeed, the evidence put forward that children do better in straight relationships is often construed and misinterpreted to promote an agenda.
Given the venom that is currently spewed out by the church in the UK on the very same cause, I shudder to think what effect all this is having on young people and vulnerable children in our schools. Physical boundaries don’t exist in the age of the internet, but please can we have fewer of the lies and untruths in this country and debate maturely as adults – the kids will be alright. As for true conservatism, perhaps Mr Waghorne might take a leaf out of David Cameron, the British prime minister, when he said at the 2011 Tory conference in Manchester, “I don’t support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.” – Yours, etc,