THE

FEMININE VIEWPOINT

"America's Gayest Magazine," the subtitle of VICE VERSA was indeed apt, for in June 1947 the first issue of the first American homophile magazine of which known copies exist appeared. The editor spoke in April for a One Institute Sunday afternoon (for details see One Confidential, April 1959). VICE VERSA was a lesbian magazine, privately circulated, with stories, book and movie reviews, poems, articles and letters all pertaining to the subject. Altogether there were 9 issues of VICE VERSA, from which the following are excerpts.

by and about women

Volume 1, Number 9, February, 1948, (from "Was Gah Gay?")

"Gah, the eldest girl, was a rougish and mischievous and curious lass who loved to frolic about. Murah watched her with sober interest for a long moment and then went over to join her; and presently the two of them began a game of hide-and-seek in the tall grass. When she found Gah she threw herself on her and the two girls rolled squealing and clawing among the grasses; but after awhile Gah drew the younger girl to her in a tight embrace-

"Neither of these gay young girls is clad in anything beyond her natural beauty, but this is not as shocking as it seems, for the author (the respected Vardis Fisher) tells us this scene did not take place in modern times. In fact, it was pre-Sapphic. To be specific: Prehistoric! Perhaps Gah was the first gay girl, half beast, half butch, a true clyffe-dweller! And Murah a colleen of the caves? In his saga of primeval pursuits and passions, Darkness and the Deep the author continues:

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'Gah held Murah and thrust her tongue against the back of her neck. Murah liked the caress. She yielded, happily expectant, though she was not, like Gah, budding in young womanhood and she did not feel Gah's erotic bliss. She liked. to be fondled, but when Gah stopped caressing with her tongue and began to examine her, Murah drew away."

"You can undoubtedly get this book at the public library."

Volume 1, Number 3, August, 1947

one

"Reflections in a Tea Cup

Amber tea . .

Within its placid glowing depths I stare. Waves form upon its surface as I breathe, Like waves in my beloved's silken hair.

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