the same boat. Life and love can still be beautiful, if we will accept ourselves and the courage to be ourselves." I am very happy over this admirable advance.

Human nature cannot be changed, but our particular version of it can be recognized and allowed freedom. We should work for legislation that we can live with honestly. Canada is reported to be working in the opposite direction.

My solution is, complete segregation. Certain areas should be reserved for homophiles. I don't believe in mixing or trying to make converts. We must learn to live and let live, and gain tolerance for our attitudes. This is a vast subject which you are just beginning to approach in the right spirit. More power to you! Mr. M.

Dear Mr. Slater:

Bethany, W. Va.

You published a letter (June, 1959) by Don Rifle, answering an earlier one of mine. Perhaps I was born with some type of insight or other, I do not know, but I do observe more than Mr. Rifle seems to. During my sightseeing in various parts of the globe I usually head for a Gay Bar at night and have seen many queens and many strictly butch numbers and many people like myself and (I suppose from the tenor of his letter) like Mr. Rifle, who are neither one or the other. There are three distinct groups. I would label them: The Girls, The Men and The Boys.

Personally I like men so I do not even attempt starting anything with A Girl. Nor do I attempt it with one of The Men. I'm one of The Boys and I want another member of The Boys. Someone with whom I know there will be compatability.

Now it has been my observation that when one of The Men enters he usually focusses his attention on The Girls. These Men have a deep-rooted desire for "boys," yet are unwilling to accept the reality that they are as Queer as the rest of us and so will pick up one of The Girls for the simple reason that they are more girlish than boyish. They desire a male, but really feel they should have a female, so they compromise.

Many of the straight boys like to go out with a queen for a little sexual "fun" once. in a great while. Should he be propositioned by one of The Boys-someone who does not conform to our Straight Man's opinion of what a gay kid should be like-he ordinarily would not accept. For deep within him this seems wrong. This is really going to bed with another man. But a queen? Just a lark. No moral harm in it.

I showed Mr. Rifle's answer to a strictly butch acquaintance of mine, who quickly agreed with him; then during the succeeding conversation proceeded to inform me, subtly,

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that he never went out (or to bed) with anything but Real Queens. One reason he and the others (I love snooping into other people's affairs) do not go with anyone but Queens is that they are afraid their Manhood will be impaired during the dalliance, should they pick up one of The Boys.

Mr. A.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Editor TIME Magazine (copy to ONE):

If Dr. Edmund Bergler (1000 HOMOSEXUALS, Time, Nov. 9) has met that many sick, frightened and desperate homosexuals in his prfessional career, it is about time that he should broaden his understanding to the extent that he meet a few who are healthy, happy, sane and enjoying life at least as much as the average heterosexual.

I deeply resent the Freudian flummery and hogwash in his book, as reported in your article. These findings are about as biased as would be the summation by an Alabama prosecutor in a rape case with a Negro as defendant. It hurts to know that the prejudices of many and the fears of others will be confirmed by the voice of Authority. I can speak only from experience, but the categorical picture of homosexuals as unhappy, woman hating, masochistic, conspiratorial, pathologically jealous and unfaithful, diseaseridden and doomed to a tragic old age is ridiculously unfair, distorted and untrue.

If Dr. Bergler must have a whipping boy, let him choose Society, which makes life hell for many and outcasts or misfits of those few who have not the strength to develop a sense of personal worth in the face of hostile prejudices.

Dear Mr. Slater:

Don Rifle

Santa Monica, Calif.

I enjoy each issue and look forward to the next one. I enjoy "Toward Understanding" very much. It places a lot of light on some very touchy subjects. Dr. Baker has a very keen and understanding mind in reasoning things out. We need a lot like her to help us understand ourselves.

Dear ONE:

Mr. H. St. Louis, Mo.

Your feature article in the September issue was most gratifying gratifying in that I agree with it 100%.

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Doctor Blanche has a great insight into the problems presented her. Your choice of letters is good also. They seem to be quite representative of the majority of problems present. I personally find the greatest service you have ever offered to the reader in this feature.

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