The anti-gay lobby would say that it views gays differently from the physically handicapped because the former have chosen to be physically attracted to people of their own sex and refuse to 'reform' themselves. And, more important, because condoning homosexuality would induce more people (especially the young and impressionable) to become homosexuals, thus undermining the very basis of family life.

How wrong. I can say with authority that I was born with this sexual orientation, and would gladly give anything to be rid of it. Given the social stigma and discrimination, not to mention passing up a normal family life, would anyone in his right mind choose to be gay of his own free will?

All my life I have tried desperately to 'reform', but in vain. You cannot make a gay man straight any more than you can make a straight man sexually attracted to men, however hard you may try. The fear about this 'disease' spreading among the younger generation is groundless.

I do not only speak for myself, but for all the homosexuals that I know. Some of them may have 'come out', but more (like myself) are leading a closeted life, for obvious reasons. Still, we all have to deal with the same unspeakable anguish and stigma as long as we live.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Fun day at Disneyland

I refer to the letter 'Disneyland let-down' (September 1), as well as the numerous other letters complaining about Disney.

Four of us, two adults and two teenagers, went to Disneyland on Saturday. Although it was packed with thousands of people, having free tickets for a rehearsal, we thought we would stay. We are glad we did.

Now, I have been to Disneyland in Florida. That one, too, was packed, so much so that we stayed for only a short time. Yes, there were problems in Hong Kong, like not enough snack-food outlets and drinking vendors, and the lines for the restaurants were horrendous. But let's not forget that this is a rehearsal; I am sure they will sort it all out. Incidents when the new airport opened in Hong Kong sprang to mind. People moaned about it, but their complaints were quickly overcome.

We spent a full day enjoying the sights and sounds like thousands of other happy children and adults. The rides were great fun and the Disney parade was spectacular. The staff was well mannered and polite, and the whole day was enjoyable and memorable. Keep up the good work, Disney.

I agree with the letter, however, when it questions the need of a self-'important family' to have 'four dark-suited, radio-equipped personal protection officers' with them. If they must have personal protection, fine, but the security personnel should dress for the occasion to avoid bringing attention to the group. In this case they failed, only highlighting them all as a target.

ROGER BROOKS, Sai Kung

Visibility down again

Well, Hong Kong's air pollution is back with a vengeance. Again, we can barely see out of our windows. Our health will suffer, and our government will tell us it is doing everything it can.

There seem to be two possibilities. The government is actually not doing all it can, and its priority is allowing companies to make more money. Or it is doing all it can, and we are destined to live in a Third-World-type polluted city. 'Asia's World City'? - sure, if you can see it.

TERRY SCOTT, Sha Tin

English criteria missing

Elsie Tu ('Stressed-out teachers', August 30) and the government are spot on when they advocate mother-tongue teaching for most students.

Immersion education, for English, has been shown to be appropriate only when the programme is elective rather than imposed; started early in the learning process; is staffed by qualified, committed teachers versed in the methodologies of immersion; enjoys strong parental backing; and has adequate funding and administrative support. How many of these criteria are met in Hong Kong?

JIM FRANCIS, Wan Chai

Dining smoke-free

I could not agree more with Wendy Wong (August 29) and the anonymous letter (August 31) regarding smoking in expensive restaurants in Hong Kong.

My wife and I went for a meal at a seafood restaurant in Causeway Bay, which is part of an established group. Seated at the bar in front of the iced oysters, we were horrified to have a customer next to us blow cigar smoke not only over us, but over the seafood display, too.

The manager laughed at our request to ask the customer to put out the cigar, so we walked out and enjoyed a meal at a non-smoking restaurant nearby. This attitude of accepting smoking in restaurants drags Hong Kong down to the level of a Third World country, and laws must be brought in at once to remedy the situation.

CHARLES LO, Causeway Bay

Free-press limits

Regarding Tim Culpan's article 'Taiwan scores own goal in fight to rein in runaway media' (August 26), on behalf of Taiwan's Government Information Office (GIO), the agency responsible for regulating the broadcast media industry and for governing market entry and withdrawal mechanisms, I offer these clarifications.

Although the GIO has the highest respect for press freedom, this freedom cannot be applied without limit nor be allowed to override the public interest. Without the rule of law, journalistic ethics and social responsibility, it is impossible for the media to develop in a positive direction. The GIO administers related matters in accordance with the law and establishes appropriate management mechanisms to safeguard the public's right to information.

The review process for licence and permit renewal of satellite broadcasting businesses in Taiwan is handled by the independent Satellite Broadcasting Business Review Committee, whose members have expertise in this field. The GIO does not control the media, nor has it any political motivations.

With regard to the present issue, we have recently communicated with major international journalistic organisations, which now understand our position and have responded positively. The International Federation of Journalists has also put the GIO's position paper on this matter on its website for members' reference.

The GIO is actively promoting the establishment of a National Communications Commission, for which a bill is expected to be passed by the legislature in the near future. Media supervision will thereafter be handled by this independent agency and no longer be the responsibility of the GIO.

Furthermore, on August 29, the GIO published the 'Report on the review of applications for satellite broadcasting business licence and permit renewals' in Chinese on its website (under 'Issues'). This presents in detail the procedures and results of the licence review. The GIO welcomes all sectors of society, both in Taiwan and overseas, to refer to and comment on this report.

SAMUEL WU, director, department of broadcasting affairs, Government Information Office, Republic of China