group with a special problem-especially one so far reaching in the individual life as is ours.
One contradiction in Mr. F.'s thinking is rather apparent in that he uses a long paragraph to point out that we have no right to use the name ONE, that we are not different, have nothing to set us a part as a minority; yet in that same paragraph he says, "Heteros who share homes, families and a thousand other things that you can't..." Thus he automatically sets us apart, separates us, makes us a minority. I believe that we are a minority in a sense, but do not personally feel that the hetero is privileged to share a thousand things that we cannot. In fact at the moment I think of only one thing of any great importance that those living in a homosexual relationship cannot enjoy, and that is childbirth; only one thing we do not enjoy at present and that is the general social approbation accorded the heteros.
I sincerely hope that ONE may continue to inspire an interchange of ideas "from both sides of the fence." I should like to hear more from Mr. Ferrar-it makes one think!
Now, at the risk of being entirely too verbose-I should like to see more variety in the articles published-we seem to be fighting the police so much in every issue. I realize that changes are long past due in that respect, but at the same time I should like to see us accentuate some of the positives of our own group-I am not wise enough to know how-I just wonder about too much belligerency.
Tommy
P.S. Let's have more "Blanked-off" verse by Saul K.!
Dear Friends:
Received the April issue of your fine magazine, ONE, and liked its make-up very much. It is well edited and has articles interesting to our friends. I am enclosing $10 as a contribution to help you in our struggle to get recognition.
In 1925 I met several inverts in Chicago and conceived a society on the order of that existing in Germany at that time, Society for Human Rights and we published a few issues of a paper, called Friendship and Freedom and even had a charter from the State of Illinois.
But one of our members turned out to be a married man (bisexual) and his wife complained to a social worker that he carried on his trade in front of his children and the social worker found a copy of our paper and all of us (4) were arrested without a warrant and dragged to jail.
I managed to get out on bail and hired a good lawyer but the first judge was prejudiced and threatened to give us the limit ($200 fine) but I got a better lawyer who was politically connected and we also got a new judge, who was rumored "to be queer himself" and he dismissed the case and fined the married member $10 and cost.
I was then a postal clerk and a stupid and mean post office inspector brought the case before the Federal commissioner with an eye to have us indicted for publishing an "obscene paper" although of course, like your paper, no physical references were made. But the commissioner turned it down. However, the post office inspector, even in spite of us being acquitted, arranged my dismissal from the post office. The whole thing cost me all my savings of about $800 and no one helped us, not even the homosexuals of Chicago.
Of course, I see now the faults we committed, we should have had prominent doctors on our side and money on hand for defense, and a good lawyer.
I returned to the army in 1925 and am now retired and doing well.
Gentlemen:
G. S. Washington, D.C.
Have just received my first copy of ONE and am really impressed with the forthright stands you are taking, the courage you are showing, as well as the excellent format of the magazine itself.
Only hope your fine endeavor is being
one
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