Cafe Saturday

Night

You, standing by the booth over there, you can't hear these thoughts-and if you could you'd be ready to fight. But, I'm wondering about you and the many gals like you who are here tonight-and nearly every night!!

I could ask questions; I've talked to many like you, but I'd only get the same "standard" answers. None of you wish to be honest about yourselves-not even with yourselves.

For instance: "Why the fly front pants, the men's shorts (you brag that you wear them) and the men's jackets that always look too big in the shoulders?" Your answera hundred times over from 100 different people-would be. "I'm more comfortable. this way. I never could stand women's clothes. I've always dressed this way!" (You must have looked adorable at age 7 in your bow tie and long key chain!)

O.K., I'll accept your answer, even though I'm familiar with many many gals who do not feel it's necessary to don such extreme attire for comfort or for any other reason. They may wear such clothes on certain occassions, but not in public as a badge!

Next question: "Is it really necessary to make statements about 'not having shaved this evening'? Is it necessary to pass out cigars because the cat had kittens? And why, when introduced or greeting a friend, do you shake hands as though you were wrestling two out of three falls?"

These questions keep coming up as I glance around the room. What about the girl who is presently standing by the juke box? She's attractive, intelligent looking and seems to have a fine sense of humor-but the way she's table hopping makes you wonder if she wasn't bitten by a frog when a child! In fact, not 10 in the place seem to stay at the same table or booth for more than one drink! (Musical chairs, anyone??)

Now we've reached the point where no answers would be forthcoming-where the person being asked would reach for a beer bottle and take careful aim at the questioner. Now is the time for the big brawl to start. You want acceptance and equal rights, but no one dare criticize your attitudes and actions!

You're wrong there. A few people have a right to say something about it. And these people aren't the so-called "straight" people whom you always suppose are "persecuting you." They are people just like you you're the persecutor! In your insistance that you become accepted, you're persecuting the many many Lesbians who do not feel it necessary to be flamboyant, who do not scream "Look at me, accept me-damn it, you've got to!"

And you'll fight anyone who dares suggest that you are making acceptance impossible. O.K.-go ahead, fight-you may win, but the cause of the homosexual to prove that he or she is a decent citizen of good character, that IMPORTANT fight takes the 10 count for the umteenth time!!

It's too bad these are just thoughts. We're all in the same position-we'd all like to see society a safer place for us. I believe many of you have fine intelligent mindsminds that could understand and make the next person understand these ideas. We ARE accepted or not, THRU OUR CONDUCT! Our homosexual SOCIETY can be accepted and approved-it's up to YOU!

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INEZ WAGNER

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