I am a gay man who was born in the England World Cup year; I don’t know whether that makes me a boomer. I’m centre-right, liberal-conservative, not left at all but the left doesn’t have a monopoly on compassion. In the 1990s, like many others, I lobbied for the repeal of the remaining anti-gay laws and for the introduction of anti-discrimination laws in employment. This was successful and was followed by marriage rights and I married my longterm partner.

During that time, we listened as well as talking, reassured people, compromised, broke down differences, reached across political boundaries. The modern LGBT movement, by contrast, seems to be very confrontational and to highlight differences. It doesn’t seem to be interested in incremental reform but in reshaping society as part of a wider far left agenda. Also the impression it gives is that it wants to force everyone to be non-binary: that just doesn’t suit me as a masculine-type gay man who is attracted to similar (but fully accepting of everyone else).

Finally, the gay rights movement I took part in was about getting the state out of people’s lives and trusting them. The LGBT movement seems to want to increase the role of government in forcing people to think and behave in certain ways. I just find the whole thing unattractive and dystopian and can’t relate it to any aspect of my life.

Well, you did ask. …