Sue Richardson, Johannesburg: The subject of tolerance, intolerance and "acceptable behaviour" has been in the news again. Mind you, has it ever left?

Jon Qwelane is preparing for an ambassadorial role in Uganda, regardless of his views on homosexuality, made public in the column he wrote in 2008: "Call me names, but gay is not OK".

This is obviously a touchy subject, judging by the invective spouted in almost every newspaper and on numerous blogs. So far, he has neatly managed to avoid being served with the summons issued by the Human Rights Commission. No mean feat for an up-an-coming relatively visible public persona. The reason given for the failure to serve the summons was that he could not be traced. Pardon me for stating the obvious, but isn't the government becoming a little careless? Losing one's mind is personal and unfortunate, but losing a new ambassador - that's a sign that new directions are needed.

There seems to be far too much attention paid to just what humans do with and to their genitals. Why do we care? Is a person less of a human being, mind, body and soul, because he or she has sex, or doesn't, in a particular way? Why? Regardless of sexual orientation, bigotry and intolerance should not be tolerated.

But then, this is South Africa, where some are more equal than others. Thanks George Orwell - you put it so well.