SIR, — I didn t know whether to laugh or cry when I read the report in the (Herts Advertiser, January 30) that St Albans Council is backing an exhibition celebrating the contribution of people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persuasion. Wh

SIR, - I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read the report in the (Herts Advertiser, January 30) that St Albans Council is backing an exhibition "celebrating" the contribution of people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persuasion. What a complete and utter waste of public money. What business has the council organising such an event in our name? Unfortunately, I don't suppose we should be too surprised, though, because this sort of nonsense is yet another clear example of what is so wrong with government in the increasingly PC world of the nightmare that was Blair's and is now Brown's Britain.

Before I am accused of being homophobic or receive a late-night rap on the door from Herts Constabulary (if they can break off for a moment from issuing speeding fines), let me say that I care not one jot what sexual acts people care to perform in the privacy of their own homes; it's entirely their business and I make no judgement on them. What I do question is the need for such an exhibition and why council tax payers' money - that's yours and mine, folks - is being squandered on such an utterly unnecessary event when there are a hundred more issues infinitely more deserving of our attention.

If the council is so committed to equality, then in fairness we can, presumably, look forward soon to the staging of an exhibition celebrating the achievement of 'straight' people. Yes, many people made a huge contribution to our society, both heterosexual and homosexuals - why the need to differentiate?

I also particularly question why we need an equalities officer. We have survived perfectly well until now without one so I pose the question: what iota of difference will he make to our lives, other than, of course, trousering a nice little earner each month at our expense? I give you the answer: absolutely zilch. If ever there was a waste of public money, then this is surely one of the biggest examples.

In the meantime, folks, get ready for another huge hike in council tax to pay for this nonsense. And at a time when people doing real jobs in the real world - no not those in the feather-bed world of local government who get pay rises each year without fail whether they deserve them or not - are facing the spectre of redundancy or, at best, the prospect of no salary increase for years to come, this must surely rank as one of the biggest slaps in the face yet from our town-hall fat cats.

Jack phillips,

Heathfield Court, St Albans.