Where the National Trust went wrong with its gay pride diktat
SIR – I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, by the National Trust’s diktat, on which it has now backed down, that volunteers must wear gay pride badges (report, August 4).
I am old enough to remember when homosexual acts were quite rightly decriminalised. I am certainly sympathetic to the aim of removing intolerance towards the gay community, but am also opposed to the intolerance shown by “liberal” organisations towards those who do not wish to wear their emblems. Dr C S Hargreaves
Whitburn, West Lothian
SIR – I was bitterly disappointed to read that the National Trust has backed down over the LGBT campaign badges and lanyards that volunteers were asked to wear.
If a similar campaign had been to promote women’s equality or black history, I wonder whether the National Trust would have allowed the symbols of support to be optional as well.
The National Trust’s Director General, Dame Helen Ghosh (Letters, August 5), indicated that the National Trust was taking the higher ground on this issue, and if a few people felt that the LGBT community doesn’t deserve equality, then they didn’t belong representing the National Trust.
So what has happened in the short time since she penned her letter? Mark Lambert
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
SIR – I note that Dame Helen Ghosh, is taking up a new role at Oxford, as Master of Balliol College.
I await with great interest to see whether she rushes to defend free speech as suggested by Baroness Deech, or whether she takes up the banner for “safe spaces” on campus that suppress freedom of speech. V J Hanlon
Bodham, Norfolk
SIR – I recently returned to my home town, the city of Hull, for the first UK Pride. The sun shone, flags waved, bands played and marchers marched. The streets were full of spectators. It was a fabulous day.
It is time for everyone to share proudly and freely their acceptance of the full variety of human existence. Geoff Dees
Alford, Lincolnshire
SIR – The National Trust was formed to secure the future of beautiful properties and pieces of land.
It was not the Trust’s place, nor its right, to impose “political” restrictions on its hardworking volunteers.
Its behaviour made my wife and I reconsider our joint membership. Alan Crowest
Diss, Norfolk
SIR – I was puzzled by the statement that the National Trust is now inclusive of all shades of visitor. Is the implication that people were formerly barred from entering Felbrigg Hall – whether according to caste, colour, height or orientation? Raith Smith
Basingstoke, Hampshire