DISGUSTED BY BIGOT UNCLE’S CORONA JIBE

Dear Coleen

WE STARTED a family WhatsApp group to stay in touch during the lockdown. At first it was going fine, however, a couple of my older relatives are very religious and one uncle in his 70s suggested the coronavirus might be God’s wrath for things like same-sex marriages.

I have a younger brother who’s openly gay and has a long-term live-in partner. I couldn’t believe our uncle would be so bigoted and insensitive.

I can’t bear to let this go but don’t know how to deal with it. I spoke to my brother, who was very cool about it and just laughed, saying it didn’t affect him in the slightest and that he just felt sorry for this uncle if that’s what he genuinely believes. It’s eating away at me – any advice?

Coleen says

I THINK it’s so important to look after our mental health during this lockdown and if you don’t want to spend your time getting wound up or arguing over other people’s views or beliefs, then come off the group and set up your own.

If anyone asks you why you’re removing yourself, be honest that you don’t agree with your uncle and don’t want to spend your days rowing with him on WhatsApp.

Surely the point of a group like this is to stay in touch, help keep each other’s spirits up and share photos and videos.

Your brother sounds like a pretty sensible guy, who’s confident and proud of who he is, and it’ll take more than your uncle to shake his foundations.

Your uncle’s views obviously aren’t important to him. If he’s been able to laugh about it and move on, and doesn’t think it’s worth getting upset over, then take your lead from him.

I’m sure your brother thinks it isn’t worth a moment of his time.