HOMOSEXUALS

4.2.

WITHOUT

By Alice Horvath

A slim young man minced past us, smoothing his curls carefully with a graceful hand. I smelled a strong,

sweet scent.

"Umm, I like his perfume, don't you, Tom?"

Tom gave me a disgusted look. "Really, Alice, people like that just turn my stomach. He's utterly ridiculous. I couldn't like anything about him." Tom pouted for a moment. Then he continued confidentially, "You just couldn't know how I feel because you're not a gay man, but the sight of a thing like that gives me

nausea.

"Why?"

"Why the very thought of having an affair with a man who play-acts at being a woman is revolting. If I want a woman, I'll get the real thing. What I want is someone who's really a man.”

"Well, I can see how you wouldn't be attracted to a queen if you like a very masculine type of guy, but why're you revolted by their very presence? You're not attracted to women, yet you have women friends, and they don't turn your stomach."

"That's different. Women aren't pretending to be something they're not. They're natural."

"How about me, Tom? I'm a woman, but I'm not natural-by your definition."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but you're far from masculine. I can't abide those short-haired dykes any more than I can stomach those fairies. They aren't the least bit attractive and they give us a disgusting reputation. Why the whole thing is too much!"

I shrugged my shoulders and let the topic drop. Tom's attitude is typical of most of the gay fellows whom I know.