As for me

Luther Allen's

Comment on Mr. article, 'Some Personal Observations, in the August, 1955, issue of ONE.

There is only one point I think mars this otherwise thoroughly fine piece. I comment on it for the possible benefit of any writer on the subject of homosexuality, because I've seen the same comparison, or analogy, drawn in other articles.

It is unfortunate, I think, as well as incorrect, to suggest that homosexuality is a disease by comparing it with a disease such as cancer. Mr. Allen realizes that homosexuality is NOT a disease. But the way in which he brings in cancer by way of comparison would inevitably suggest to an uninformed person that the writer looked upon homosexuality as a disease to be eradicated, or that scientists so regarded it.

Now it is precisely the uninformed public who need to have knowledge of the nature of homosexuality presented in a clear and unambiguous manner so that no false conclusions will be drawn. So I suggest that writers should always use other comparisons which shall be strictly valid.

The best one I can think of at the moment is left-handedness. More people are born right-handed than left-handed, but the latter condition is by no means un common. It is not looked upon by anybody as a malady or disgrace. At worst it may be thought of as a mildly inconvenient oddity. in no way impairs one's esteem for the left-handed person.

It

Sometimes, too, a person has golden eyes, or green eyes, or eyes the color of an egg-plant. Some people have absolute pitch, hypersensitive taste or smell or vision, extra-good teeth. Writers will doubtless be able to think of other comparisons and analogies.

But let's stop implying in any way that homosexuality is a dread disease.

Gentlemen:

W. J.

Mr. G. of Boston suggested a new sub-title for One "The magazine for Homosexuals and Lesbians.' That's like saying 'cattle and cows.' Woops! Pardon me, ladies. 'Deer and doe' that's better, isn't it? The word 'homosexual' is derived from the Greek 'homos' meaning 'same' (not from the Latin homo' for 'man'), and means sexual attraction for persons of the same sex. Heterosexuality' is also a word of Greek origin stemming from 'heteros' meaning 'other' or 'different,' and means sexual attraction for persons of the opposite sex. Modern use of the word 'Lesbian' with reference to the female homosexual comes from the Isle of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea where Sappho, a Grecian homosexual poetess, wrote love poems to girls 500 B. C.

Even some psychiatrists (who should know better) have pulled some real boners in their definition of homosexuality.' Some limit its meaning to the practice of homosexual relations.' Would a

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