6 JULY 1996, Page 24

Sir: Anne McElvoy quotes Rob Hayward, 'amateur psephologist', as saying:

'Lesbians are more invisible. They are more likely to settle down later into heterosexual relation- ships. ... ' I beg to differ. I have, in my time, been acquainted with a great many lesbians and in my experience the majority enter into heterosexual relationships, including marriage, when they are young, often in a desperate attempt to conform or out of ignorance of their true natures, or both. Having discovered the pleasures (and pains) of same-sex love, they rarely, if ever, return to heterosexuality. I feel that there may be a little wishful thinking in Mr Hay- ward's analysis.

Diana Chapman

24 Anglers Lane, London NW5