THE Citizen published a letter headed Not all gays share Pride' last week in which Roger Marsh said that Lancaster Pride is so in-your-face' that some gay people have chosen not to participate. He also asked whether one might have a week to celebrate heterosexuality.

Astute readers will have already noted that Lancaster Pride is not called Gay Pride.' The point is not solely to provide a festival for gay' people but one that is open to all who value the diversity of all our sexualities and genders.

The opening weekend events have shown that Lancaster Pride draws a wide range of community participation including and extending well beyond GLBT communities.

Events have been carefully planned to accommodate people who prefer a quiet approach rather than fanfare. Take, for instance, the series of films being shown as part of Lancaster Pride. There is nothing in-your-face about going to see a film!

Or consider, for instance, family events such as the badminton game or the mask-making workshop. The point is clearly to bring people together to do something creative, fun, and entirely non-threatening. It would be utterly ridiculous to consider this event in-your-face.' These are social events, family events and community events that anyone including Roger Marsh and his friends and join to celebrate (however loudly or subtly) the diversity of all our sexualities.

In sum: I am enjoying a variety of Lancaster Pride events and I am not thrusting' my sexuality in anyone's face but simply inviting everyone to celebrate the diversity of all sexualities and genders.

Katrina Roen, Lancaster.