Re: The gay issue

Editor,

Allow me space in you widely read paper, I can understand the sentiments being expressed by many people regarding the gay issue, I know a lot of people areagainst homosexual practices, but I wish to urge caution regarding the language being used addressing such a group. It is indisputable that The Gambia is heavily dependent on tourism and sending the wrong message could have an adverse effect on such a volatile industry. The gay community have a big lobby in the West and for a small country like ours to antagonize them will not achieve any purpose other send the wrong message, hence drive tourism to our competitors such as the up and coming Cape Verde Islands.

We must not pretend that tourism is not an important aspect of our economy. Of course it is and for us to unnecessarily drive away people who wish to come and spend their money can have a detrimental effect on our economy. This is factual, for I have gay friends who regularly visit The Gambia, but once they hear and read the hostile remarks directed at them they have said that they might never go to the Gambia and would even launch a world-wide campaign to deter other people. I urge we temper the language being used. I hope this will be published in good faith.

Gawlo Jallow.

Editor’s Note:
In good faith we do publish your letter, but we would also ask you one or two questions: would you sell your very soul for tourism dollars? This is the kind of mind-set that leads to slavery! Just because we need tourists, you suggest that we should accept sexual behaviour that is contrary to the tenets of Islam, Christianity and family values that The Gambian society holds dear? I am afraid the majority of the Gambian people and our President will tell gays to take their tourism elsewhere – rightly in the Daily Observer’s view!