(1) the rejection of job-applicants because of homosexuality, and (2) loss of jobs due to homosexuality.

A person is hired by an employer for the sole purpose of performing certain activities within an organization, and homosexuality could never be a legitimate disqualification unless it could be directly related to incompetence in performing these activities. There are, naturally, certain characteristics of behavior and manner which would render an individual persona non grata in any organization. Thus, the chronic troublemaker, the chronic drunk, the chronic shirker-all of these types find themselves losing jobs, and at length unable to get jobs at all. In the socio-sexual field, the person who cannot, to a considerable extent, manage to subordinate sex and sexual mannerisms to his job, will find himself in the same predicament. Thus, the "flaming faggot" and the "diesel dike" are in an unenviable position in relation to a great many types of employment-not because of homosexuality, but because of basic personality defects. Also, the disturbed homosexual may be seriously reduced in stability and in job efficiency, and unable to compete successfully in the employment market-but again not because of homosexuality, but because of his emotional problems and preoccupations.

It has never been demonstrated, and, in our opinion, it could never be demonstrated, that homosexuality as such bears any relation to incompetence in administrative, professional, technical, artistic, or other fields of employment-in fact, the homophile temperament may be especially suited to certain of these fields. Also, it does not require any serious inhibition, even in our time, to be a homosexual without becoming notorious as such, and without having it interfere in any way with rewarding social and business relationships.

Since homosexual behavior is illegal in all States, and considered immoral by an indeterminate number of persons, it is easy to understand our Government's official policy on the subject. Yet to class the homosexual as, for example, a "security risk" sounds rather specious in view of the number of agents who have been fleeced of State secrets by members of the opposite sex. So long as sex remains a tool of espionage, then the only impregnable intelligence or security agents would be eunuchs-a principle well-understood and utilized by certain governments in the past, but one which, it is to be hoped, will not be resurrected in the present, least of all in the U.S.A.

The problems relating to employment opportunity and security for the homosexual are complex, and perhaps must be attacked simultaneously from many fronts, not the least of which is our own front-which means aiding homosexuals to become better adjusted and more wholesomely related to the sum-total of social activities. Meanwhile, it is to be hoped that employers, both public and private, will re-estimate their stands, and reach a more realistic policy toward a substantial segment of our population. As the present problems are resolved, the homosexual will be aided, not only into better citizenship but into greater social creativity, becoming able to be himself, to be honest toward others, and to be a productive, active, and stable member of his community.

Robert Gregory, Managing Editor

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