HOW

HOMOSEXUALS can combat ANTI-HOMOSEXUALISM

Albert Ellis, Ph. D.

(A paper specially prepared by Dr. Ellis for presentation at ONE's Midwinter Institute, January 26, 1957.)

I think it may be said without fear of contradiction that in the United States we now live in an exceptionally anti-homosexual culture. Although, as a heterosexual, I am not personally adversely affected by this anti-homosexualism, I nonetheless deplore it, just as I deplore anti-Semitism, anti-Negroism, or any similar kind of group discrimination. I have therefore given much thought, and not a little action, to the problem of how to fight prejudice against homosexuals.

In summing up my recent thinking in this area, I have come to the conclusion that there are two main ways in which homosexuals may most effectively combat anti-homosexualism: one on a somewhat superficial but immediate and practical basis; and the other on a more profound but futuristic and partly utopian basis. I shall now discuss these two methods of preventing antihomosexual sentiment and action, and list several appropriate sub-methods under each major heading.

The first means of reducing anti-homosexual bigotry may be called the palliative method. The theoretical assumptions that underlie this method are (a) that sociosexual conditions will continue to exist in this country for the next few decades pretty much as they are today; (b) that under these conditions a large minority of exclusive homosexuals and persistent ambisexuals will continue to exist; and that (c) many or most heterosexuals will tend to despise, condemn, and try to penalize these homosexuals and ambisexuals.

Under these circumstances, what can be done by homosexuals in particular to ameliorate the prejudice and legal sanctions that are now usually levelled against them? The palliative program that I would suggest is along the following lines:

I. Homosexuals should do their best to remain law-abiding, responsible citizens who will go out of their way to set a good example for heterosexual residents of their community.

2. They should abhor all feelings and actions which would tend to show others that they, the homosexuals, consider themselves in any way superior to or better than non-homosexuals.

3. They should try to refrain from flaunting their homosexual tendencies in public, and should reserve their use of other-sex dress, mannerisms, vocal inflections, etc. to private gatherings.

4. They should avoid being over-clannish and should mingle freely with heterosexual individuals, preferably on an honest and above-board basis, and in their associations with these "straight" individuals should act as reliable, sincere, worthwhile human beings.

5. They should resist in-group favoritism and refuse to help other homo-