EDITORIAL

From time to time we receive (and publish) articles and letters which have the same general content--that is, "we must try to curb those horrid homosexuals who wantonly display their anomaly in public." The general thought behind these opinions seems to be that the more hidden the homosexuality, the better the person is as an example of the group. One of the particular complaints of this school of thought is the idea of being demonstrative in public such as "those awful lesbians walking down the street holding hands" or "those guys who act just like husband and wife in public."

It is the personal right of every human being to be able to express affection toward a loved one. Who has the right to object to a boy and girl exchanging a goodbye kiss at the train station or walking hand in hand while window-shopping? No one, of course. Similarly the homosexual is a human being and has equal rights of expression in such matters.

There are no statutes which prohibit gestures of affection in public, providing that they do not offend public decency. If certain officials of the law want to interpret violation of public decency so as to include two men holding hands, then this should be challenged and taken, if necessary to our courts.

Let us mention here that there are many people who are just naturally reserved, and whether homosexual or heterosexual would not make any public display of affection. This is a very understandable type of mental make-up and since this person is following his own personal wishes, he isn't the one we're concerned with.

Our concern is with the homosexual who curbs his impulse toward an expression of affection in public for fear of having a public finger of shame pointed at him. Frequently it is another homosexual who is first and most adamant in pointing the finger of shame. He has a feeling that he is "better" because he is repressing his wishes. By this repression, he is admitting that we have something to be ashamed of.

Not only is this type of homosexual no "better" but he is, indeed, worse. He is worse because he isn't exercising his natural and legal rights. Rights and privileges must be exercised to be kept alive; and for the homosexual, whose rights are few enough, this is especially important.

ONE Magazine firmly believes that the homosexual must assert himself as a citizen, for only by positive action can the homosexual hope to receive the first-class citizenship to which he is entitled.

Alison Hunter, Associate Editor

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