Letters

Under no circumstances do the Editors forward letters from readers to other persons nor do they answer correspondence making such requests.

ON FINDING ONESSELF

Hello!

It has been a year since I received my first issue of the Magazine. During that time ONE has been a wonderful friend to me. Through many years I wandered in the wilderness of confusion and despair at "my condition." The difficult task of self-acceptance was made easier by the enlightened articles in the Magazine. "Towards Understanding" was so helpful; Dr. Baker's death is a grievous loss. Mr. G.

Dear Friends:

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I cannot express my relief and gratification at finding ONE.. By accident I ran across it and feel sure that my loneliness and fears will disappear from the knowledge that there are others seeking acknowledgment of their love. My relief at finding an open, frank organization like ONE is overwhelming. My previous abstinence and alien reactions would have resulted in the blind leading the blind.

At a very early age I felt a strange and wonderful reaction from symmetric and rugged beauty of the male form. Poisoned by society, I fought tooth and nail against this. Fear and guilt dominated my being. I shrank from every indication or form of homosexuality. From failing to recognize this in myself serious consequences developed.

After joining the armed forces I had a nervous breakdown. The frustration and anguish of suppression proved to be too much. After extensive psychiatric treatment I finally recognized myself. My greatest battle was with the feeling that society screamed "perverse and unnatural," while I felt that it was intrinsically good. I feel that someday civilized beings will accept, and there will be an end of intolerance.

Dear ONE:

Mr. L.

Los Angeles, Calif.

For some time I have wondered why you did not suggest to a few of your letter-

writers that they get a hobby, such as painting, music, community theater, volunteer work in church, hospital or community projects, instead of sitting at home writing all this drivel about the beaches or bars in this or that location being closed or going through some big purge. Then they would not have so much time for self-pity.

I am sure there isn't one of us who doesn't have a problem, who doesn't indulge in selfpity at times, and many times have feelings of frustration. But this happens to everyone. We are not alone in this. It is surprising how many interesting people one can meet through projects such as above. All you have to do is to give a little of yourself. Mr. M. Williamsburg, Va.

Dear Sirs:

I was discharged from the service because of being a homosexual, and of course thought my life was ruined. Well, I got hold of myself and found by using the excuse of being in school I could explain away the years in the service. To explain away the 4-F draft card was easy-a bad back, which no one can prove differently.

I have met quite a number of men who have "gay discharge" records from the services. Most have stopped worrying about it and done something for themselves. But there are still some who are afraid to try to get away from the past and look to the future.

There are plenty of jobs which don't ask for service records. As long as you have filled your time in the service they hire you. I was one of three hundred and fifty discharged at the same time, so there must be a lot of men with U.D. discharges running around.

WHO NEEDS RIGHTS? Dear Friends:

Mr. S.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Perhaps you heard about the police who were caught taking bribes from a few of the

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