VOICES FROM AFAR

Dear Sirs:

I have withdrawn my subscription from ONE for the reason that it is almost completely aimed at American circumstances. Of course this is understandable, but the way of life on the other side of the ocean differs so much from here in almost every respect, Gay life included, as to make the Magazine for me no longer of greatest interest.

It has given me an insight into the possibilities, needs and impossibilities in your country and this was indeed interesting. Don't grieve too much over my withdrawal but go on with your activities, so much needed in your country, just as Arcadie, Der Kreis and other publications are needed in Europe.

Mr. S. Groningen, Holland

stead of eighteen, as it was before the Fascist legislation of Pétain in 1942; (2) the wave of "morality and Puritanism which has been developing during the last year in Parliament -not in the Government [sic].

Laws against prostitution, for the censorship of films, against immoral bars and dance halls, etc. The police have been obliged to act upon orders from above but, apart from a few spectacular and, after all, rather healthy actions, such as the suppression of many public conveniences which were obvious meetingplaces and the closing of a few bars and baths, nothing has really changed. The judges are no more severe than they ever were. The Puritanical offensive in Parliament was purely artificial. No political party has made it an electoral or campaign issue.

Marc Daniel

Arcadie, Paris, France

Dear Friends:

May I take this opportunity to tell you how much I enjoy your Magazine. However, I do feel that the American viewpoint is quite different from the English. Personal contact during some visits to the States have confirmed this opinion. Neverthless, your side of the question raises interesting points of view and enables us to look at ourselves, which I think is the best thing we can do.

Let us be honest with ourselves and then half the battle is won. Accept what we are, and live with it. I find that I can now live much more contentedly than previously and I must say your Magazine has helped me in many ways to find myself.

Here in England I find it is possible to live quietly and satisfactorily, finding one's other interests in life to compensate and complement one's emotional feelings.

Dear Friends:

Mr. W.

Tunbridge Wells, England

Things here in France are not so bad as you have indicated (November, 1960; February, 1961). The Code Napoléon is still valid. Sexual matters in private are no concern of the law, provided they include neither rape nor violence, nor the participation of one under twenty-one. Prosecutions are for (1) indecent behavior in public places (bars, baths, public conveniences, parks, movie theaters, parked cars, etc.); (2) sexual relations with minors; (3) solicitation or pandering for male prostitutes, as well as female.

Many known homosexuals are civil servants, army officers, professors, judges, even police officials (I know loads of them), to say nothing of writers, painters and clergy.

Yes, I know there are two flaws in our freedoms (1) the ridiculous age of twenty-one, in-

Dear Friends:

It is not very accurate to state (February, 1961) "Personal freedoms in Europe are indeed suffering." True, the fascist policies of De Gaulle are diminishing personal freedoms in France. But you will not hear homosexuals in Scandinavia complaining of limitations of personal freedoms. Even the Norwegian and Danish armed forces are subjected to no curtailments of their freedom of choice in sexual affairs.

It is a trait of the Scandinavian character to mind one's own business, and this obviously permits the individual to be himself. Meddling is not esteemed.

Dear ONE:

Mr. B.

Oslo, Norway

The present situation, not only in Switzerland, but in France, Italy, Denmark and Germany as well is the most unfavorable one all of us have had to deal with in years. There is a definite trend to suppress the homophile as much as possible.

My own idea is that the general world tension felt at present needs once again a scapegoat, and what better scapegoats than we? Even the world-famous friendly atmosphere of Copenhagen has changed greatly, from all I hear.

All over Europe this is partly due to the fact, unfortunately true, that venereal diseases among homosexuals have greatly increased, a very sad fact, difficult to dispute. The laws in France and Italy are moving backward. Under these circumstances no improvements in Germany will be taking place.

Rudolf Burkhardt

Der Kreis, Zurich, Switzerland

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