My dear Mr. Editor:

When I saw my first issue of ONE a few years ago in San Francisco, I was curious, to say the least, to discover what a magazine of this type would attempt to do. I made a point of picking up newsstand copies several times in New York City, and recently became a subscriber. My original question in regard to what ONE is attempting to do remains unanswered.

Let us take a look at the group ONE aims for, and try to see just what ONE gives this group. It would appear, from the issues 1 have read, that the audience is almost completely a homosexual one, save for a few persons who receive gift subscriptions from known or unknown homosexual friends. ONE presents to this audience medical and psychiatric views on their "abnormality;" poetry of vague and sentimental type which repeats over and over the theme that homosexuals are more "sensitive" and "intellectual" than others; fiction which reiterates the well known fact the individuals of the same. sex can be attracted to each other mentally and spiritually and physically; reviews of books with a homosexual theme, in order, perhaps, to make known that there are such books and that many of our writers are aware of this theme; news of persecution and pleas for pity presented with almost hysterical fanfare; and an insignificant amount of advertising, offering to the reader objects which should appeal only to the more obvious and rebellious homosexual. ONE seems to be trying to impress the members of this homosexual audience with their own "different" qualities, and, having thus impressed them, offers no suggestions at all as to how they can better adjust to this "difference" or how they might lead richer, fuller and more useful lives!

It would seem that, for instance, when reference is made to a great literary or public figure, ONE could be of service by demonstrating how this man rose above any "hindrance" (imagined or real) brought about by his homosexuality to be of service to mankind, and in serving others, enriched

own personal life. But unfortunately ONE's tendency seems to be to urge the homosexual to feel sorry for himself, to feel downtrodden and persecuted. In the state of mind so induced the homosexual is not likely to achieve the fullness in his public or personal life which he might otherwise have. I believe it is necessary for each of us to realize that although we may be classified as "different," there is no excuse for us to let down in any way in our efforts to be real persons, even leaders in our professions and communities. I think perhaps that ONE

is encouraging the homosexual to feel self pity, and is neglecting completely the missionary work it might accomplish within our own ranks of encouraging us to forget stupid. persecution and to concentrate rather on playing our full social role. Certainly the public likes nothing better than to hear of a homosexual who is shiftless or irresponsible, or to see a homosexual dressed as a member of the opposite sex and acting like a "fairy," at whom they can point with scorn and so dislike all homosexuals.

If the audience to which ONE is directing its efforts is this homosexual audience, then ONE had better find some real objectives which will improve the moral and spiritual outlook of this audience, and improve its public behavior. ONE can do this. I would guess that your mailing list includes homosexuals in almost every state of the union, and I am confident that if you would estab lish and clearly state an editorial policy of helping this audience of subscribers to adjust, and encouraging them to greater effort along reasonably acceptable standards of behavior, that before very long your mailing list would not only increase many fold, but would contain the names of many of our political, social and educational leaders who are members of your "mystic Brotherhood." I think that the days of patting the homosexual on the back and telling him that all he needs is sympathy and understanding and tolerance are past. True, he does need such solace, but from my personal experience the best way to get it is to show the predjudiced public that the homosexual is not a pervert lurking in dark places, but more often is a decent, hardworking, reliable and often courageous individual who does not inflict his "differences" on anyone. When the individval is liked for himself, and when he is respected because he is doing a good job, it matters not whether he is black or white, Jew or gentile, "queer" or "straight." Let us as a group set about to earn our understanding and tolerance, rather than whine because we do not have it. Let us educate our "neurotic fringe" group to be men and women who deserve the respect of the community. I am quite sure that so long as we have "flits" and "pansies" who sympathy, we will not have tolerance and understanding. Here then is the job for ONE. Here is a mission that will help the public want to accept us, rather than put it in a position where it is forced to tolerate us.

MR. P. RICHMOND, VA.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Have you "told" your employer lately?

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