Letters

Dear Mr. Barr:

For some time since reading and re-reading. your play Game of Fools I have wanted to write you for your opinion, if you would be so kind, on several points that puzzle me.

First, in several places, you refer to the "well-adjusted" homosexual. What do you mean by well-adjusted in relation to the homosexual? In what does this adjustment consist? Can it ever be achieved? I personally doubt that a homosexual can ever be welladjusted, knowing as he must that he will rarely find a sympathetic acceptance of his condition, knowing that there is little that can be done to make him "normal," whatever that means. One must bury his strange "affliction" and hope that no one ever discovers his horrid secret! Whence, then, comes the adjustment?

EDITOR'S REPLY:

Mr. D. HYATTSVILLE, MD.

Your letter addressed to James Barr is of such general interest that we believe it and our answer belong properly in this column. Your questions about the well-adjusted homosexual makes us wonder if you have seen ONE Magazine? A current series has been on "Successful Homosexuals." A few month's reading of the Magazine should clarify the matter for you. Also, ONE INSTITUTE QUARTERLY, and the classes at the INSTITUTE, have made it entirely clear that there is no difference in the adjustment of homosexuals and heterosexuals whatever, except to the degree that certain individuals may indulge in selfpity, or suffer unwarranted guilt feelings.

You speak of burying one's "strange affliction... and... horrid secret." ONE'S offices have been open every working day for the past five and a half years. People are coming and going continually, with no thought of any horrid secrets. Classes at the INSTITUTE are regularly attended by those enrolled, and visitors. Public meetings are held from time to time, so that over the years we have undoubtedly contacted thousands of persons. Where, then, is the secret?

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Does it not all come right down to the point that homosexuals can either face themselves, frankly and honestly, or go right on having "secrets" and "strange afflictions" so long as they wish? It is entirely a matter of free choice.

Dear ONE Mag.:

The June issue was the first one to come through for a few months now. The pictures of individual gay people are very fine, and especially to start off with a cop. They're the characters that gum things up more than somewhat.

The letter from Miss W., of Brooklyn, raises a subject of vital interest. The lonely ones. must in some way be helped, by being able to meet other gay people and finding a sex outlet. It is no use saying why don't they avail themselves of the gay haunts. For years shyness kept me from going to them. A fellow has to become hard as nails to protect himself from all the crazy mixed-up characters that hang out in such places.

As far as I can tell it is ten times as hard for the gay dames, especially if they have an ordinary small-town background. I've seen more nice stuff go to the dogs in a year or two from being lonely and impressionable, thereby overdoing it when they did break into the gay crowd. There are some very brutal, callous citizens setting the pace in gay circles in larger cities, and usually they are that way more as a victim of circumstances than from fundamental weakness of character.

Some way, somehow a little order has to be brought out of the chaos, and the young launched into the swim with a fair chance of not drowning. I've known of more than one that hit the sex and liquor so hard in their teens that they are soon burned out.

If these gay people will talk to each other through your Letters feature they can enlighten each other via that medium. . . I figured out Beethoven for a repressed gay character and I believe Romain Rolland had him doped out the same way-and he knows his way around the human personality. His Michelangelo shows that.

Dear ONE:

Mr. S. VANCOUVER, B. C.

I particularly enjoyed "Gay Beach," also, the article on "Registration Law Dealt Blow" is a very fine one. Although this does not apply to me I know of one person who, I am certain, will be greatly helped by this action. Attorney Zwerin is to be highly praised for his work to which you refer in your article. I am enjoying the "Successful Homosexual" articles and hope you will continue them in every future issue.

Mr. P. MENLO PARK, CALIF.

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