11 MARCH 2000, Page 30

From Mr N.C. Cummins Sir: In his 'A lexicon of

Conservative cant' (19 February) Matthew Parris under 'gay' has failed to note the origin of the word decades ago on the US West Coast. Banners were put up by homosexual campaigners proclaiming 'Good As You'. So they not only stole a 'good old-fashioned little word', they attempted to equate them- selves with normal humanity.

N.C. Cummins

London SW3