YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

WHERE AND WHEN WAS ONE ORGANIZED?

The discussions which led to the forming of ONE, Incorporated, took place in Los Angeles, California, October 15, 1952.

WHY WAS ONE ORGANIZED?

The founders felt there was a need for an organization to work for the betterment of the lives of homosexual men and women, and so for the betterment of society as a whole.

WHY WAS THE NAME ONE CHOSEN?

Because Thomas Carlyle's phrase, "A mystic bond of brotherhood makes all men one," so clearly expressed the belief the Founders had in the essential unity that exists among all human beings, whatever their sexual orientation.

DOES ONE AIM AT CURING HOMOSEXUALS?

Although there are disturbed homosexuals, just as there are disturbed heterosexuals, scientific evidence does not support any claim that homosexuals can, or should be, cured.

DOES ONE ADVOCATE HOMOSEXUALITY?

The Corporation's efforts are directed to the welfare of those millions of men and women who already have this sexual orientation.

DOES ONE CONSIDER HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SINFUL?

Christians point out that nowhere in the Bible does the Founder of Christianity condemn either homosexuals or homosexual acts. Those of other faiths make reference to the very considerable latitude of sexual expression provided for in most other religious doctrines.

DOES ONE CONSIDER HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ILLEGAL?

While entirely aware that the statutes of 49 of the 50 States make this claim, it is believed that no legislature or other public body properly has been given any Constitutional power to regulate the sexual behavior of consenting adults in private; also, that neither the police nor the courts may validly have jurisdiction over such behavior. ONE completely accepts the position taken by the American Law Institute in 1955 and the legislature of Illinois in 1961, both of which regard consenting adult acts in private as no concern of the law.

IS IT ONE'S PURPOSE TO LOBBY FOR LEGAL REFORMS?

ONE is not a lobbying organization. Its endeavors lie wholly within the fields of (1) education, (2) publishing, (3) research, and (4) social service. These four activities form the separate Divisions of ONE, as follows:

(1) ONE's Education Division operates ONE Institute, an adult educational facility offering classes, lectures and other public meetings in Los Angeles for the study, through standard academic procedures, of the entire range of male and female homosexuality. It presents an Annual Lecture Series and occasional Extension classes in cities other than Los Angeles. It also publishes ONE Institute Quarterly of Homophile Studies, a scholarly journal.

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