2.2.

JANUS TAKES

A LOOK

AT CHRISTMAS

As the year end holidays approached the Editors found themselves arguing over the roles of the homosexual during such a season. Coming to no agreement among themselves, two writers known to express opposite views were invited to set down their ideas. The following articles, similar in general format, mirror attitudes as different as the two faces of Janus.

Val Richardson, a Southern Californian, claiming to dislike doing any kind of writing, except of a technical nature, for many years served as a lay religious counsellor for his church. During that time a large proportion of his calls were upon those having marital troubles.

He writes, "If you think homosexuals have adjustment problems you ought to spend a few years listening to the woes of the youngmarrieds, with their in-laws their budget worries, their endless infidelities or near-infidelities. Or, even worse, the middle aged and older heterosexuals, with their pitiable fixations on their children and grandchildren, their nasty little sex frustrations, their pallid, hypochondriac emotional patterns. You would be glad to get back into the clean, healthy air of our own way of life."

He feels that it is high time a little writing should be done emphasizing the positive aspects of homosexual living.

Frank Golovitz is a former Texan who has job-hopped around a good share of United States and done considerable writing in a variety of fields. At one time a candidate for the ministry, he is currently working on a novel, some episodes from which are included in his following article.

He feels that it is indefensible slanting to attempt to shed much sweetness and light over a situation "we all know to be hedged about by every device human ingenuity and prejudice can be design for frustrating the homosexual, turning him neurotic or, if possible, eliminating him entirely. A writer who does not present this picture fairly and squarely is being less than honest. What possible gain is there to be had from assuming attitudes which would look suspiciously like 'special pleading'? Let's face it: most homosexuals are plenty miserable at Christmas. The whole social pattern makes it hard for them to be otherwise."

Writers Golovitz and Richardson evidently are individualists. Whether they speak for any considerable groups among readers of ONE Magazine, or for those who might become readers, is something the Editors would give a good deal to know.

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