EDITOR’S NOTE: The Press would like to apologise to any readers who were offended by the publication of a letter in yesterday’s edition regarding York Pride’s planned events.

This letter should not have been published and we are disappointed that it slipped through our normally very stringent editing processes.

We would like to remind readers that the views expressed in published letters are entirely those of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

The letter has been removed from our website.

The letter provoked a strong response from numerous readers. Below is a selection of those responses.

I WAS dismayed to read the letter in The Press from Alexander Ogilvy (Letters, May 18) referring to the York Pride event which will take place next month.

While I defend anyone’s right to have an opinion, the letter writer sums up just exactly why Pride events still have a place and a purpose in cities like ours.

In some countries such as Russia, Uganda, parts of the Middle-East and very regrettably even a host of our Commonwealth partners, persecution and violence regularly takes place against people just because of their sexuality.

We are fortunate that in the UK, in the past couple of decades at least, discrimination has been reducing but it is by no means perfect.

Homophobia, intolerance and bigotry still exists and there are violent horror stories from time to time which punctuate this.

I have never been an activist as such but I do believe that any person whether gay, straight, bi or however a person might define themselves, has a right to be who they are and love who they want without fear and persecution.

I call that basic freedom and equality.

For me, this is what York Pride is about, an event for all, and I look forward to sharing a happy day on Saturday, June 18, with friends, family, colleagues - gay and straight.

Cllr Paul Doughty, Conservative, West End, Strensall, York

I’D like to inform Mr Ogilvy (Letters, May 18) that as a York-born bisexual man, it is as much my city as it is his, and if I want to walk around the beautiful streets of my home town holding my beautiful boyfriend’s hand then I shall do so.

We frequently do, and contrary to what individuals like him might expect, nobody bats an eyelid.

If Mr Ogilvy would rather live in a city where people share his views of such “bizarre”, “immoral” and “childish” practices, I suggest he takes up Mr Putin’s very generous offer of 2.5 acres of land and emigrates to Russia.

I hear Vladivostok is nice this time of year.

Callum Shannon, Osbaldwick Lane, Osbaldwick, York

IN response to Mr Ogilvy and his complaint about Pride events (Letters, May 18), I am staggered that in 2016 that these opinions are still around, that you would deny other people the opportunity to express themselves and celebrate what they are just because their world view doesn’t coincide with your own.

Would it be acceptable to make these accusations against Muslims, morris dancers, members of a brass band, those marching for good causes?

Pride exists because it is clearly still needed while people hold prejudiced and bigoted opinions and as one of the “so-called” gays, I will be attending as many events as possible.

Nick Hilton, York