LETTERS

The

views expressed here are those of the writers. ONE's readers cover a wide range of geographical, economic, age, and educational status. This department aims to express this diversity.

Greetings from India:

I am anxious for the Indians here in Calcutta to become acquainted with ONE the copy which gave a list of mannerisms to avoid. Due to India's attitude regarding homosexuals I suggest you mail it 1st class. In the National Library here I found an interesting translation from the ancient Sanscrit of Vatsyayarias Kama Sutra which deals with the love precepts of the Brahmans. I copied most of it. It was written about 500. A.D. There is much homosexuality in Bali and I was fortunate in getting some interesting information, also about the Gurkahs here in India.

Gentlemen:

MR. S.

CALCUTTA, INDIA

Use the extra fifty cents to help in "waking the town and telling the people."

I enjoy your magazine but I think it is too damn literary. Not all of us are esthetic as you apparently think. For instance

what the hell do I care about Plato, Socrates, Walt Whitman, etc. How does reading about them help a gay guy to get along better in this day and age? Also, just how helpful to your subscribers is that poetry you print? Remember that some of us are just plain ordinary guys and plainer fare is more to our taste. Highly literary efforts with too many dictionary words may be just what some of the big city, effeminate fags want, but simpler, more practical, down-to-earth articles fill the need of the country and small town boys and those of us of the laboring class with limited educations who work like, who look like, and who act like real, hairy chested He Men. I believe a lot of guys would get more out of your magazine if it specialized in articles pitched to help them live day by day without fear of being found out. I know I'd prefer such a mag. over a queer "Saturday Review of Literature."

Thanks. Forgive the criticisms. I still like you, but sometimes I find you a little too rich for my blood.

MR. R. TEXAS

Gentlemen:

I suppose this letter is commonplace as you read it, but I have just recently come to know your publication and think it is a tremendous step in the right direction. We do need people like you... with guts and vision and the tenacity to somehow hang on through costs, production problems, etc., and to keep up the good fight. I do wish you every success.

"Tangents" is especially welcome and interesting, as it keeps us abreast of what is going on and where. But why nothing from New York City? Is there no correspondent here? I live very quietly but do read several papers thoroughly each day and see many news items that might be of interest to you and your many readers. Would you like to have me send these to you? I'd be happy to do this if you wish.

It is generous of you, too, to announce the birth of a new group National Association of Sexual Research. Some of their brochures should be very interesting and informative.

The letter which you print in your current issue from the 25-year-old fellow longing for understanding friends really is touching. I wonder how many millions of such letters could have been written (almost identically) since the beginning of time? How well we understand what is going on inside him! And what a pity that there is no way for others to reach him. . . with dignity, decency, and complete understanding

.. to show him the way to accept, to adjust, and to avoid hurting his loved ones, and to avoid being hurt himself. These many voices crying in the wilderness of guilt, fear and self-condemnation must surely spur you on to greater endeavors. So many fine people are constantly victimized by the vicious and greedy, or shattered by passing affairs which they do not know how to cope with. Our number is legion, and to help the younger ones to "know the score" and to live fuller, happier lives without mental and physical tortures is a challenge which you cannot help but accept. I only wish I had thousands of dollars to send to help you in this glorious

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