Shame on HMV, Virgin Megastore and Brighton and Hove City Council.

All agree that the lyrics of rappers such as Elephant Man and Beenie Man are offensive but defend their right to incite violence towards gays on the basis that it is not their place to act as censors. This is the worst kind of cant.

If the offensive lyrics suggested that blacks, Asians, Jews or Muslims should be shot or burnt to death, the retailers and music lenders might, to mix a metaphor, be singing an altogether different song.

Regrettably, The Argus fares no better. You agree that the words are nasty but cop out of backing a ban by suggesting that such action would serve only to increase sales.

In other words, you advocate turning a blind eye to words that are an incitement to violence towards a minority group in society.

Of course, since the target of this musical vitriol happens to be gay people, rather than blacks, Asians or even one-eyed, left-handed redheads under five feet four inches, you are saying that we should all pass on the other side of the road and pretend it doesn't really matter.

It does and none of us should tolerate such intolerance.

Thank goodness the Greens have taken a lead on this issue. This isn't merely a fight for the gay, lesbian and transgender community, it's one all the people in the city should be getting behind.

-Geoffrey Bowden, Sussex Square, Kemp Town, Brighton