how costs them a measure of their phony masculinity. Why phony masculinity is better than no masculinity I shall leave to this power-dominated culture to figure out. I would like to make it clear at this point that I have known extreme butches and extreme femmes who were simply being themselves and were beautiful to behold because of it. My measure of how right the extremity was for them was how well they could tolerate anything different in sexual orientation.

Regarding the male version of the butch-femme problem, I know very little. I have queried many boys who frequent the gay bars and have found nothing approximating our butchfemme problem. It appears that while there is present every day the problem of being yourself: of being obvious in public vs. not being obvious in public that there is by the physical nature of men rarely the phenomenon of the "untouchable butch." In bed, they tell me, anything goes between both the more feminine and the more masculine partners; that their roleplaying, when it exists, rarely extends to sexual acts; that they don't consider one sexual act more masculine or feminine than any other. (The text books would have led me to believe otherwise!)

The men I have talked to, including the most feminine types, eschew the husband-wife concept of gay marriage. They sneer at the belles who want to be kept and are proud of their wage earning ability.

This is an involved subject which should be covered by an open-minded gay man who has contacts on all levels of gay society. The topic has great interest and scope for all people. Many have solved their problems along this line; but many have not. Some never had any problem. It has been suggested that the butch-femme matter is a problem mainly of youth. I would be inclined to agree.

THE

LADDER

Monthly magazine of articles, stories, poems, book reviews, quotes, comment and significant opinion on sexual problems facing the Lesbian in society today. Published by The DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, Inc., non-profit educational, research and social service organization. Subscribtions mailed in sealed plain envelope, $2.50.

DAUGHTERS OF

BILITIS

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THE LADDER

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FEBRUARY 1958 50 c

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