I agree that gays should not be bullied or discriminated in society ("Don't encourage discrimination in society" by Mr Terence Ho Wai Loong; Friday).

I do have gay friends and colleagues whom I accept as people, though I do not condone their lifestyle.

The law of this land protects all people, regardless of their orientation. Hence, no one should feel unsafe in Singapore.

It is important to note that we live very harmoniously in a multiracial and multi-religious society, where all of our mainstream religions do not support the gay lifestyle.

This harmony, which has taken us a long time to build up, is the envy of many countries. Hence, we should guard it with all of our might and resolve. The law, which does not permit same-sex marriage and sodomy, and which has continued to serve us well and relevantly, upholds this harmony in Singapore.

Notwithstanding all this, gay people do have the space in society to be themselves.

George Lee Tian Soo