I believe we have in "us" the capacity to understand the Investigators well enough and that we can be confident enough of our own position that we can deal therapeutically with them. But it is not easy to keep clear about the fallacy of punishing a sick man. If he were hospitalized we'd know we must not attack him or his irrational behavior. But when this fellow is an Investigator, and seems to have over us well, it's not easy to remempower ber what his position and condition really are, and what role we ought to be playing.

My own sense of defensiveness has so much abated in these last few years. I know what a change this has made in my own outlook and energy and feeling of confidence in meeting bad situations. It makes me wonder if we do the right thing for homosexuals in general to keep before them accounts of the constant battle against. I'm not sure who needs the most help in these situations. Somewhere along the line help will have to go to "these others." Poor dears, they are in such a muddle.

Gentlemen:

Mr. W. (Address withheld)

Please use this contribution to help in a small way toward the deficit about which you wrote recently. Believe me, I wish I could donate greater financial support toward your valiant work, but even this meager contribution represents a certain amount of sacrifice. Nor is it possible to solicit the support and funds of others in this community, for my position make it mandatory that I "conform in every respect. Know, however, that you have my silent prayers and secret well wishes for every success.

Dear Mr. Slater:

Mr. R.

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA

Thank you for the delightful story "Mrs. Cartwright." (September, 1958). About "Arab Revolt," a wonderful idea, a miserable presentation. I still am not sure whether Mr. Vitale was writing about the manner in which "the love of a boy" turned the tide of history, or the glories of homosexual love. Carol Robin could stand a good hand shaking. Well written and very enjoyable but, unfortunately, she does not see, or perhaps know, the whole picture.

I believe that Miss Robin will find that there are many who desire female companionship only with heavy masculine overtones. The same is true with boys. I know many gay young men who look and act straight, and these men are attracted primarily only by little swishes. She might do well to take into account that in homosexual societies there are two sexes the "male male," and the "female

one

male," the converse being true with Lesbians.

There are many who can assume either role with equal ease, but in the case of the strictly "butch" guy he will normally only pick up a screaming swish, as then there will be no chance of his "manhood" being impaired.

Most normal people are not really offended by the swishes. It is the (to all appearances) normal young man, who is revealed to be gay, that makes them mad. On a certain beach in New York there appears nearly every day a flaming, bleached blonde (it was this season), tall, skinny, outrageous faggot who was the darling of the straight sex. They loved him. And the way he flitted around calling everyone "honey" and "love." It was the gay kids. that would gladly, had they got him alone, thrown him in the water and held his head. under.

Would someone please explain to me why I, if I should hold my cigarette the wrong way, or, kidding around, drop my voice and call someone darling, get a dirty look from the "normals" while a real flame, draws only minor chuckles? What do they want us to do, go around with our hair henna'd and our faces made-up, in order that we may conform to their ways of picturing us?

Dear Don Slater:

Mr. A

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

I am writing you to tell of the good that I am getting out of ONE. I have enjoyed the articles on Successful Homosexuals." It makes me happy to hear that some of us can stand up for our rights and lead normal lives. I have many "straight" friends who tell me that the way I live is my own business and because I am gay is no reason to dissolve friendships. We shouldn't try to force this thing down people but, on the other hand, we shouldn't let them walk all over us. My family has known about me since I was thirteen. I am thirty-one now. None of them have turned me down and they also accept my gay friends. There are one hundred and fifty employees where I work and they all respect me for being a gentleman. If I didn't hold myself as a human being should I wouldn't still be on the payroll.

Dear Sirs:

Mr. H.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

I hope and pray that your work may go on unabated and that you will receive the needed support. May your splendid little Magazine never lose its militant tone! There is much persecution, suffering and loneliness in our socalled "land of the free". It is provoking to see that some of your readers are hankering for lightheartedness and laughter. Our cause is a grave one indeed and as urgent as it is difficult. As long as those in high places are

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