What a shame your correspondent, who moans that his money is being wasted on coloured lightbulbs (ie "gays"), cannot opt out of that bit of his council tax - or insist it goes on street cleaning or rough sleepers.

He could then suggest that the thousands of gay people living and working in Brighton, and paying a fortune in income and council tax, should also be able to opt out of contributing to the costs of educating his (if he has any) and other people's children. Or any other services "they" don't use.

Pride seems to bring the "I'm not anti-gay but..." brigade out of the woodwork each year. I'm sure there'll be others moaning about the disruption, mess, bottom-slapping...

These people seem strangely adrift in a fabulous and cosmopolitan city like ours. For them, it must be such an unpleasant place in which to live. Have they considered Tunbridge Wells?

-Brian Snow, Brighton