ably a lot better than some of my critics or enemies." Such experiences have the effect of a salutary medicine, whose work on the personality is permanent and sound, even though one might not wish such medicine as a steady diet.

There are many homosexuals who, although they like to drink and fraternize among their clique, studiously avoid the Gay Bar. The obvious motive is one of fear, mixed with a lack of social honesty. "It might be raided." "I might get picked up'." "That one from the office might see me and I'd die with embarrassment." It is a pity that modern society can afford the homosexual no better counteractive to timidity and dishonesty than the Gay Bar, but since this is the case I cannot help but believe that this counteractive is better than none at all. Used judiciously, it has helped many homosexuals out of certain of their mental and emotional difficulties.

In closing I would like to theorize about the merits and/or demerits of the Gay Bar as a publicity medium for helping society generally to a better and understanding of

awareness

DER KREIS/LE CERCLE

homosexuality. The demerits tend to be more conspicuous than the merits, mainly because it is only the most disreputable bars, gay or straight, that get newspaper publicity. They are raided, certain persons get arrested, of a sort with whom most bar-patrons find no sense of identification or affinity, and such events do nothing but cast the worst possible light upon gay bars specifically and homosexuals generally.

However, I have on several occasions used the Gay Bar as a means of introducing supposedly sympathetic non-homosexuals, as well as extremely introverted homosexuals, into a more liberal view of homosexual life. For such purposes one naturally uses Gay Bars with a reputation for discretion and well-regulated conduct. In a number of instances the introduction has deepened already long-standing friendships between myself and heterosexual acquaintances; sometimes the introduction has encouraged someone whom I did not suppose to be homosexual at all to confide to me some homosexual problems that he or she has had.

Monthly magazine in German, a few pages in French, also in English. Liberally illustrated with photographs and drawings. Articles, stories, poetry. Oldest of homophile publications. $7 per year, unsealed; $11, first class.

Postbox 547, Fraumunster, Zurich 22, Switzerland.

VRIENDSCHAP

Monthly magazine in Dutch; photos and drawings, also articles about women. $4. yearly.

Postbox 542, Amsterdam, Holland.

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