"They pant to enter into correspondence about the arts, literature, music and the ballet. Or so they say." Lambert.
Mr. Edward Denison of Texas writes: I quite enjoyed your complementary pieces. Lambert has been hiding his talent for caricature from the readers of ONE; no, of course ONE can't risk running a Pen Pal service. But I suspect Pedersen is right in believing that some such correspondence does sometimes produce good results of a kind-more good than bad. Someday ONE may be able to run such a service. Now your first duty would seem to be to keep the magazine free from legal entanglements.
About sixteen years ago when I was very young, very neurotic and very isolated, I entered an ad for correspondence in The Saturday Review. The response was gratifying-I was constantly writing letters to people all over the country. Gradually-or in some cases quickly-we wrote ourselves out; and not one romance came of it, directly or indirectly. (I still regret having broken off correspondence with a California artist who was quite
from all angles.) But like Pedersen, I can say that the correspondence had some positive value, for myself at least. I got a lucid view of what went on in the minds of other gay people. At that time I knew I was gay but my experience had not included any acquaintances with other gay people. By the time I went to New York and met gay people, I was somewhat prepared for the experience.
A last remark: I agree with Lambert it's no use complaining about conditions that can't be helped, but it's a pity that too many gay people lack the force, the urge, the intellectual grasp to want to change conditions. which are to them oppressive; I include myself among the "too many."
"Our long, zestful letters ranged over our common religious interest to more personal things." Pedersen.
Mr. Wm. C. B. of Indiana writes: I am surprised that William Lambert has not sent me his measurements, or doesn't he have a tape?
"'Please send me, airmail-special delivery, the name and address of that gorgeous blond in Norway. . . .'" Lambert.
Mr. K. W. of Oregon writes: I have been reading your magazine ONE and I was just wondering if I could have a Pen Pal? I never told anyone else about this but I am telling you. Ever since I was in the first grade twelve years ago I have had a feeling of love toward my own sex and now I am nineteen years old and it is getting worse. I know that I am a homosexual and I have very few friends. I do most everything to attract men toward me-by bleaching my hair and putting on eye makeup. I have been reading ONE for a long time now and have read about this Pen Pal business and I am interested in it very much.
Please help me and send me one. My parents don't know as I've been keeping this to myself. I'm in love with my own sex and I need a friend that has the same trouble as me. Please believe every word I have written and do something. I like strong, husky, good-looking men. Please send me one to write to please.
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