one's natural tendencies; 2-Rushing or being forced into marriage in early life in an attempt to eliminate or hide. homosexual tendencies (in some cases this is further complicated when both partners have homosexual tendencies, yet the marriage is not a happy one and can be further complicated by the begetting of children); 3-A basic immaturity in one's emotional development due to over-identification with some senior member in one's family or intimate environment, as for example, the use of "Jr." added to one's name and continued long into adult life. Although it is a long accepted social custom to name children after parents or other relatives, or certain figures whom the parents admire, it is rather provincial and certainly unhealthy from the standpoint of mental hygiene for it tends to force the namesake into a personality pattern which is often quite contrary to his or her natural tendencies. It is wise to establish and maintain one's unique individuality by adopting a new name of one's own.
In your second letter you gave a good introduction to genetic factors relating to homosexuality. This fits right in with my sequence of topics for discussion in "T.U." Perhaps you have noted that in the July issue of ONE I discussed heredity factors in the production of homosexuality. Recently a friend sent me a syndicated clipping by Dr. Walter Alvarez, Mayo Clinic Physician, dated August 2, 1959, entitled "Medics Press Hunt for Cause of Abnormalities in People" in which he reported studies of cells taken from the lining of the mouth of infants just born. Again we have indications that chromosomes may contribute to the production of homosexual trends. What a study your family would make! What kinds of X and Y chromosome patterns might be observed in you, your wife and five children?
You are quite right! I would not care to discuss techniques for meeting other homophiles. Along that line I always stress the need to try methods of merely making friends with people who interest you, rather than looking for other homophiles. I think you will get more satisfactory results if you will learn to be more at ease with other people. You will find that you are able to make friends in all walks of life, and it won't be long before you find friendly homophiles. If you are not in too big a rush you are much more likely to avoid entrapment, other difficulties with the police and such sad experiences as you have described.
In our over-eager desire for satisfaction or acceptance we often misinterpret what the other person does or says in terms of what we want to see or hear. Here is an example from your own letter:
Please re-read B.C.'s letter and note that he says he does NOT want a "Greek God"! In your second letter you state, "Unlike B.C., I cannot expect a Greek God." Can it be that you are really fearful of meeting a suitable partner of your kind? So you set up stakes so high you are sure to fail; you read out of B.C.'s letter, "He can expect a Greek God. He's still very young, while I'm too old. I'm licked before I start!" Could it be that this is due to an unconscious desire to fail? You should learn more about older homophiles, or the problems of "aunties" as they are known in homophile jargon. Dr. T. M. Merritt, associated with ONE, has been exploring this all-too-long neglected line.
Much basic research needs to be done in the field of homosexuality if we are to make use of the talents which lie dormant inside many a middle-aged homophile. If age is one of your problems why not study how to salvage your own talents and
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