L

ETTERS

No! If we must have a crusade it must be for civil rights and equality before the laws of this land, not for conformity to some ideal of personal ethics. I do not care how many "gay" bars exist or who goes to them or what they do there, who delights in emasculated affectation or uses perfume; but I do care that my rights as a citizen of this country are nil and I know that getting all homosexuals to act like bourgeois gentlemen is not going to get those rights for me. I am not sure what will but I think ONE may be on the right track.

RENO, NEVADA

A Reply to R.L.M. in your JULY issue, AS FOR ME:

You

I have just finished reading some of your back copies and the current One for July. It is great-and you are great for your courage, your humanity, and the lift which you have doubtless given to many of us throughout the country.

Who is in a position in this world to require conformity from anyone?-least of Dear Sirs: all one homosexual from another. The desire to have all homosexuals well mannered, intelligent, courageous, manly, men is easily understood. These are attributes most of us classify as desirable; most humans do, according to the standards of their own society. Is it not the aim of all persons in this country to attain both a personal integrity and equal rights before the law of our society? We as reasonably enlightened, 20th Century individuals are not in any position to slap the bar-fly or to condemn bar-flitting; promiscuity to us is a personal matter; emasculated affectation is neither my concern nor another's. The so called "gay life" is not for me to reform and I hesitate to define the "very worst elements".

My greatest fear at present is that, because of one reason or another, you will be unable to continue publishing and growing. I should like to know if the Mattachine Foundation is willing to help over the rough spots so that your voice, which is our voice, will continue to be heard. We should like to know more about that organization. I am sure that financial contributions would be forthcoming if individuals knew what the Mattachine was doing, what its backing was

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