To be intentionally shocking takes a lot of energy but to shock unwillingly is infinitely more tiresome.
We can only feel a sort of weary sadness when some of our more sheltered readers see ONE for the first time and launch upon a whole series of shocks. They're staggered to find that there is a magazine devoted to comment on and study of homosexuality Then they find that this outrage has been going on for a whole year and the self-admitted publishers are still unjailed! From there things must go from bad to terrible as they find that (a) ONE is dedicated to instructing both the public and the homosexual about deviation, and to bringing about a necessary union of the two, (b) ONE's contributors feel no incongruity in demanding for themselves the civil rights given all other citizens, (c) ONE advocates no illegal act of any kind, incites to no "unnatural" behavior, and fights inequitable laws in a completely lawful manner, (d) ONE sponsors research on the subject regardless of its findings, (e) ONE is not and has no wish to be an erotic magazine, and (f) ONE is not backed by any political group, allied organization, or individual.
This last point should be emphasized with much underlining. For instance, ONE is connected in no way with the Mattachine Society, either legally secretly or ideologically. The January issue will contain the first of a series of criticisms of this organization that does not appear to hold with any of the purposes which motivate this magazine. And And further, ONE is wholly unfinanced except by its readers. It's true! And to a hardened businessman this must seem incredible. Our bills would also seem incredible -but we manage. We're even planning on an issue in January with eight more pages -because our backers (you) say we're too little. In the event that you'd like to see this little leaflet publish better articles and fiction, artwork and photos, have more pages and come out on time -in fact, if you'd like to see it continue, there's something you can do.
this page -then write a check. It all goes into ONE and only ONE.
Read the reverse side of Remember, nobody gets paid. And YOU are ONE.