In your latest issue, #227, you have given us an entire page 8 on gay rights by Manjushree Thapa ('Reverse lens') and Ulhas Rana ('Happy to be gay'). Was it really worth the whole page? As long as people do what they have to do behind closed doors with the bolt locked, who is really bothered? It is their moral right and nobody is trying to infringe on their privacy. But, are the majority of the Nepali society willing to accept them and give them a pat on the back? Nepal's gay community is at least ten years ahead of its time, if not more. In short, we understand your problems and our sympathies are with you, but the reality is that you are a minority and considered by the majority of our society to be abnormal. Yes, in due course of time you will be accepted by one and all.

Dr Amrit KC, Bishalnagar

. Thanks to Manjushree Thapa and Ulhas Rana for their bold and forthright articles on sexual freedom in Nepal. We can pride ourselves on having one of the least taboo-ridden societies in South Asia, but there are still holier-than-thou homophobes among government, the legal community and the police. Next month's ruling by the Supreme Court will show whether we will go back to the dark ages or not. Let's hope not.

G Upreti, email