out of the past

Reprints from the classics; biographies of famous homosexuals. ONE believes that the public as a whole is quite unaware of the great and decisive contributions made to civilization by homosexual men and women in every age, as a result of much suppression of the truth, distortion of facts and ignorance indulged by certain critics, historians and biographers.

Extracts from

THE SYMPOSIUM by Plato

A party of revellers is heard approaching Agathon's home and finally Alcibiades appears in the doorway, much worse for wine, and surrounded by a party of noisy companions. He does not at first notice Socrates, seated with Agathon at one of the small serving tables, and after paying his somewhat tipsy respects to the latter, and receiving an invitation to enter, he seats himself by Agathon, Socrates having moved to make room for him. Then, twisting himself so as to see his other table companion, he observes Socrates, and leaps to his feet, crying, "Good God, what have we here? Socrates? Lying there in wait for me again? How like you to make a sudden appearance, just when I least expect to find you... You ought to be next to Aristophanes or some other actual or would-be buffoon, and instead you've managed to get yourself next to the handsomest person in the

room."

one

(as translated by W. HAMILTON)

"Be ready to protect me, Agathon," said Socrates, "for I find that the love of this fellow has become no small burden. From the moment when I first fell in love with him I haven't been able to exchange a glance or a word with a single goodlooking person without his falling into a passion of jealousy and envy, which makes him behave outrageously and abuse me and practically lay violent hands upon me. See to it that he doesn't commit some excess even here, or if he attempts to do anything violent, protect me; I am really quite scared by his mad behaviour and the intensity of his affection."

"There can be no peace between you and me," said Alcibiades, "but I'll settle accounts with you for this presently." He then begins to urge more wine upon Socrates and the other guests.

"This is no way for us to be going on, Alcibiades," Eryximachus chides.