TOWARD UNDERSTANDING

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

Dear Dr. Baker:

I would be very grateful to you if you could kindly give me the following information:

Could you recommend some universities in the US, Canada, or Europe that offer courses on a graduate level, leading to a PhD in psychology, and which are primarily concerned with the study of homosexuality? I would prefer schools that place more emphasis on the exploration of its nature and causation and less on psychotherapy; with more concern for the sociological than for the clinical aspect.

I would also like to know where I could best apply for an internship or a research assistantship in the same area, even without any monetary remuneration. (I possess the MA in psychology.)

Thanking you in advance for your endeavours and apologizing for troubling you, I remain,

Dear L.T.:

Yours very truly,

L.T.

Thank you for your inquiry about higher education regarding homosexuality.

I regret to say that I do not know of any university either in the United States or in Europe which could fulfil your needs. Please realize that this subject is still very much taboo and I suspect it will be quite a while before it is listed as one of the acceptable academic studies. In the meantime the organization, ONE, Incorporated, which publishes the magazine, ONE, to which I am sending this reply, gives the Homosexual Viewpoint, conducts ONE INSTITUTE OF HOMOPHILE STUDIES with courses which are

one

BLANCHE M. BAKER, M.D., Ph.D.

definitely of college caliber. Please note that the Faculty consists of well trained men, most of them with college degrees. Since you already have your M.A. in Psychology, it might be wise for you to move to Los Angeles where you could work for your Ph.D. in Abnormal Psychology and also take some of the courses offered by ONE INSTITUTE. If you want practical experience in working with homosexuals it might be wise for you to affiliate with ONE, Inc. and help out with staff activities where help is always needed and where you would learn so much that never could be taught in an aca demic atmosphere. At least write directly to W. Dorr Legg, the Director, who can give you much more information about your question, including the opportunities-if any-in European Universities.