RESPONSE BY COUNTY PRESS EDITOR ALAN MARRIOTT

& ;lt;strong>Over the weekend, the County Press has received a large number of complaints about Charlotte Hofton's column "Pride Parade – do a deal?"

The majority of these complaints express disgust, suggesting Charlotte is anti-LGBTQ+ or lacking in understanding of the issues.

I am sorry the County Press upset and offended the LGBTQ+ community. It was certainly not what we intended.

Many people would have disagreed with Charlotte's views.

However, I believe it is better to air views we disagree with, debate and challenge them rather than censor them.

I would ask those complaining to read the article carefully before thinking too badly of Ms Hofton.

Look at phrases such as: "But while we are in many ways a more tolerant and understanding society, hateful bigotry still exists, and those of the Pride Community, understandably, feel the need to show their solidarity and celebrate in public their joy in being whatever they like in sexuality and gender terms," before judging too harshly.

What she is saying in this column is she disagrees with the public discussion of sexuality but she believes it is everyone's right to live their life as they wish.

The County Press has been right behind the idea of an Island Pride event ever since it was first mentioned to me by somebody interested in organising one last year.

I personally think it is a great idea and it will have the paper's full support.

When people tell us something they have read in the County Press upsets them, that is something we take seriously.
&am p;lt;br />We wish to give those in the LGBTQ+ community the chance to respond to the column. We will dedicate a letters page to the subject in the paper this Friday, if people wish to submit letters by the end of Tuesday.