Both failed miserably to address salient points of my letter.

Mr O'Connor's diatribe is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. 

At no time did I suggest divorce should be made illegal, nor did I say the birds and the bees should be only explained by someone of the same sex. 

Further I did not suggest teaching of biology to mixed gender classes should be abolished. 

I made it very clear I was referring to the homosexual community, not individual couples. 

I challenge both writers to prove me wrong pertaining to the rainbow and the word gay.

For Ainsley to deduce from my letter, I am suggesting mum stays home to look after the kids while dad goes to work is really drawing a long bow.

Notwithstanding certain unfortunate circumstances it is a falsehood for Mr O'Connor to consign all single parents to the waste basket.

My mum and dad stayed together for life as a married couple and produced 14 children, so he will get no argument from me in relation to the virtues of raising children in a loving two-parent home.

However Mr O'Connor should not denigrate those of us who due to circumstances beyond our control became single parents and went on to raise our children to a very high standard. Being as generous as I can, I believe it is despicable for him to perniciously discriminate against single parents in this manner.

There was a time when many believed we shouldn't bring ourselves down to the level of animals, perhaps the new norm for Mr O'Connor is for us to look up to animals and insects for our guidance.

Maybe Ainsley and David could explain to me how same sex couples negotiate the dilemma and potential ramifications of assisting their opposite sex teenage children in the bathroom.

Tom Griffin

Pambula.