the "more perfect" life of celibacy in a monastic community.

Here the whole line of reasoning might end, but there still remains a few loose ends for the Christian homosexual, and many more for those who do not happen to subscribe to Christian belief. There must be many homosexuals trying to live correctly in monastic communities at this very moment and many who have tried but left with the feeling they did not belong.

If the major religions of the world expect to retain the loyalty of their homosexual members, they must face and live up to the truism that God is not only the God of the heterosexual majority but of all men.

Now, the Christian-and, therefore, presumably the Christian homosexual -believe's that God's grace is sufficient to overcome any temptation. It would follow, then, that in a proposed Christian monastery for homosexuals the brethren would be able, with good will and reasonable happiness, to resist homosexual thoughts, words and actions. Unfortunately, the vast majority of homosexuals, including not a few Christian ones, could not in conscience subscribe to this belief. Whatever might be said for any other kind of person having the willpower to resist any other kind of temptation, it can safely be stated that the average homosexual cannot sincerely think himself capable of remaining in lifelong celibacy and yet retain sanity and a vestige of happiness. The essential part of the "more perfect way" is, surely, that people of like mind voluntarily segregate themselves to the betterment of themselves and society at large. The Homophile Monastery would be a community for homosexuals pursuing noble aims but yet dealing realistically with the problems of its members. It would be for those serious homosexuals who wish to voluntarily segregate them-

selves from heterosexual society and live under a life that is religious but which tolerates their sexual needs.

The rules governing the sexual practices would necessarily be strict and accepted as on a par with divine law. The members should be convinced that whatever they do in accordance with the community's rules is done openly and guiltlessly before God, and there should be a certain tie-in with religion and ritualism. The member even while gaining personal satisfaction and relief should not exclude from his mind that this act will help himself and possibly others to be better members of the community, just as a heterosexual married couple while enjoying sexual acts should not exclude the desire to be parents and assist in the continuation of the human race. The rules should stipulate against the permanent pairing off of couples, which would work against the oneness of the community, but the rules should also prevent uncontrolled promiscuity.

Is this idea of a Homophile Monastery no more than an impractical fantasy? Perhaps. Many homosexuals wouldn't be interested at all. Many have no desire to segregate themselves from the world. But many serious-minded homosexuals will be attracted to the idea as a worthwhile goal. Probably some have been members of Christian monasteries and would like to return if only there were some way of serving God and yet not denying the very nature of their being. There must be others who have not dared attempt to enter such institutions that expect perfect chastity. But whatever kind of a man a homosexual might be, surely all would take pride if a Homophile Monastery were translated into reality and made to work, and it is not an impossibility that it would be in time as honored and as reverenced as are the names of already existing monastic communities.

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