TOWARD UNDERSTANDING

The purpose of this column is to create a better understanding of homosexual problems through the psyciatric viewpoint.

BLANCHE M. BAKER M.D., PH.D.

Dear Dr. Baker,

I have been receiving ONE Magazine for the past two years. I've found ONE to be a friend and a comfort each month.

Since my discovery of gay life I've found the life to be extremely lonesome and difficult. During the two years of discovering myself, life has been disappointing. The only consolation I have is some day to find happiness and the love of another.

I also have the problem of my parents. My family is forever questioning my future plans concerning marriage. I know that marriage as others think of it is out of the question for me. I have seen others in the homosexual life attempt it and break the hearts of all involved.

What is there to youth if I can't find some happiness from loving and being loved in return. Oh! Yes there are such romances if you want to call them that, where the people go to-

one

gether for a few weeks and then look for another. Sex isn't everything; if love is only sex then I don't want it. To me, love is two people living as one and sex is the highest goal of love. It expresses beauty and joy.

I don't want a Greek God; I want someone who will love me as I will love him, with whom it is possible to be sincere, with whom I have something in common, and with whom I can enjoy the simple things of lifea relationship in which we can find. a home and live together. I guess many of us have these dreams which will never be fulfilled. Today we are young and before we realize it tomorrow is upon us with middleage and the same lonesomeness as in youth.

It is too bad there is not someone each of us can find as life partners. It seems that at least half of us are afraid of the world because we are not accepted in society. We are afraid

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