to homosexual contacts. This gives rise to the saying that "all men are gay until proved otherwise."

Lasting gay marriages would appear to fall into two categories. First, there is the marriage of convenience. This marriage may contain an element of true affection on both sides or it may be that only one of the partners is in love with the other.

Few gay marriages of convenience last any length of time but of course there are exceptions to any rule. These marriages are held together by onesided love, financial dependence or the enjoyment of a nice apartment which would be denied to both partners were they to live single lives. These fellows are sometimes called "married sisters", indicating their superficial nature. This type of relationship is frequently the end result of a marriage which started out as a genuine affair of mutual love.

The other broad category is that of a genuine love-bound marriage. This is as idealized by homosexuals as it is by heterosexuals. This type of relationship is the avowed goal of many single homosexuals but closer observations reveal that such will probably never come to pass for most of them because either they are incapable of the degrees of unselfishness required or are really having a ball as a single queen and are merely blowing off steam when they express such desires. There is only the question of old age which gives such homosexuals pause in their wild promiscuity.

I am inclined to feel that the permanent homosexual marriage has been somewhat slighted by not only One Magazine (perhaps their staff members are all single and cynical) but by psychologists and others interested in human relationships and personal adjustment. Possibly this is due to the fact that many married homosexuals view the mad world of the single queen as both dangerous and amusing

one

and are reluctant to make themselves known, preferring to confine their social life to a small group of similarly adjusted people. Also, the married. homosexual who includes many single gay men in his social sphere runs the risk of jeers and derision on the subject of sexual fidelity and this often contributes nothing to their permanent relationship. Additionally, we must recognize that single and married homosexuals have few things in common. The single queens talk on and on about the tricks they've had or nearly had and the married team is more interested in the chair they've just reupholstered, the new set of silver that their savings have enabled them to buy or other terribly boring household or common experiences with which the single queen has no patience.

One can go on to great lengths on the subject of what might have been. If society's view of homosexuals was more tolerant; if the law was less onesided; if employers were more understanding, would then the homosexual marriage be more prevalent and more desirable? It may be so. If the Department of Internal Revenue allowed married homosexuals the right to file a joint return, things might be much improved also. Homosexuals are easily led into the trap of blaming the social order and attitude for their plight. In the final analysis the gay marriage must be based on a belief in the institution as such, on mutual love, common interests and abilities and upon self discipline. Age is also a major consideration. Many homosexuals cut a ridiculous figure in chasing after chicken and few sights are sadder than the middle-aged or old homosexual who is keeping a young lover for in most cases the end is easily predictable.

I will now recount some facts about the relationship between my partner and I which you might possibly find

24