HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHILD

MOLESTATION

Dear Sir:

seems to

Miss Valentine (April, 1960) think that the same arguments that are offered to defend the homosexual can also be argued for child child molestation. By no stretch of the imagination can child molestation and homosexuality be related.

Adult homosexuals are often unfairly accused of having introduced adolescents into the homosexual way of life. If all adults left adolescents alone and it were discovered that they still adopted homosexuality it would clear up one obvious misconception, i.e., that adolescent homosexuality is dependent upon seduction by adults.

Enough books have been written about the adolescent years to assure parents that almost all adolescent males go through a homosexual phase. It is not because they can be permanently swayed in either direction but because of intense sexuality. As this begins to level off he will become what he really is either a homosexual or a heterosexual.

Parents would like to think that if a boy turns out to be a confirmed homosexual that it can be traced back to the boy's seduction by some older older homosexual, but that is merely passing the buck. I daresay that it would be easier for the boy to accept his homosexuality if the parent did not make it so difficult for him. As Dr. Baker has stressed, so I would repeat here, the first problem is "self-acceptance." But adult homosexuals ought not to become sexually involved with teen-agers neither because of the law nor public opinion but rather because the teen-ager's judgments are not mature enough and consequently cannot fully consent to the act nor to the way of life that homosexuality implies.

Dear Kids:

Mr. S.

East Orange, New Jersey

Your Magazine is getting better all the time. I find the variety of opinions very stimulating. Your reports and "Tangents"’ give me a sense of kinship which I did not have before. I especially like the elevated ethical tone about everything you do. As far as I am concerned, our lives and ideals should be on a high plane, for our own self-respect and for the edification of those

who think of us as degenerates and im-

moral.

Mr. S.

New York, N. Y.

TOWARD UNDERSTANDING & SOCIAL SERVICES

Dear ONES:

At times it must seem like a hopeless (and thankless) job, but believe me you are performing a wonderful service for the homosexual who is serious and believes there is a place in the world for him. The column "Toward Understanding" is a big help and inspiration for me and, I believe, for many others.

Please stick to the job. Some day you will see the fruits of your labors. Thanks for what you are doing for the future of us all. Mr. B.

Dear ONE:

Reading, Pennsylvania

I enjoyed the Midwinter Institute very much. It was well worth the trip. I can. never thank you all enough for taking me under your wing and showing me around. Everyone was so kind and it was a pleasure to meet all those interesting people. I myself love to talk and was delighted to find everyone so friendly.

Dear Editor:

Miss M.

Salt Lake City, Utah

I am genuinely interested in Dr. Baker's column, since I have worked in the psychiatric field for almost twelve years and of course have seen many frustrated people who would not be in such a position if the community were more receptive to their mode of living.

In teaching students psychiatry I have often used a quotation "We hope to replace your fears with knowledge," which in my personal belief can only be done in such a way as indicated by the Biblical passage, "By their fruits shall ye know them."

Please keep up the excellent work you are doing toward attempting to bridge the wide gap that exists between the homosexual and a society that, many times with due justification, frowns upon his thwarted

existence.

Miss M.

St. Louis, Missouri

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