Newyorkian who visits our city from time to time. Some of my little efforts have appeared in the German, Dutch, and Scandinavian homphile magazines. And I have some very good friends that I visit when I go to Europe. I am planning such a "Sentimental Journey" to Armsterdam, Zurich and

Dear Sirs:

Paris, London, Rome this year.

Mr. S. P.

Buenas Aires

Of last year's issues, I enjoyed September the most. Being a teenage myself, I know that we face many problems and decisions for which it is hard to get help. My life is so lonely because it is very difficult to meet another sympathetic male. I will admit that when I was twelve I had a few friends, but we just played around. Nothing worthwhile developed. Being only 18 it is not possible for me to hang around bars waiting to be "picked up." Besides, I consider myself a Christian and wouldn't want to do that unless I was desperate.

ONE has helped me me a great deal to realize that being homosexual is nothing to be ashamed of. But you are not able to help me find a friend it seems.

Dear Friends:

Mr. E. M. III Palmyra, N. J.

I wish to comment on the very fine "Case History" in the November issue of ONE. Mr. A. L. H. S. touched upon a number of points and theories that I hold very strongly, but I have been sharply disputed by other gay folk. My own experience, while completely different from Mr. S's in detail, exactly parallels has as "proof" that the gay in a person isn't put there by some episode of early life, but is there, and springs from much more obscure origins. Like him, I was the aggressor as a very young person; and without being told anything or even having a clue myself as to what was actually taking place. Unlike him my surroundings were entirely hostile, but had a friend, as he did, the picture might have been much the same. Along this line. of thought, it seems to me only common sense that an unwanted experience with an older person would, if anything, temporarily obscure or delay any homosexual tendencies a child might have rather than "fixing" them as a part of his life, which is so foolishly supposed by many persons.

Another thing that is impressive about your "Case History" is that the man having lived a number of years past the glow of youth with its easily available popularity, and having had some real trouble, is still able to look objectively at life and to speak of the good things he has been able to salvage. It is a good fortune that is available to all who will work for it. Such

experiences truly point the finger of contempt at the seemingly endless supply of whining, miserable, self-pitying souls one sees in the gay world. No wonder it has been so difficult for us to make even a little progress toward a better understanding of our position in life!

Gentlemen:

Mr. N. W. Texas

Do you know about the paperback book currently on the stands called The Velvet Underground? It is by Michael Leigh, with intro. by Louis Berg, M.D. This so-called report, expose or what have you is concerned with obscenity, immorality, and illegal sexual activities. And yet this is one of the most obscene books I have ever read. The brief biographies of Leigh and Berg do not appear to make them eminently qualified to pass judgement, but a lot of 'experts" seem to be in print these days. The book makes one wonder about Mr. Leigh's private life, which must be warped considering his ideas about others of whom he disapproves.

He devotes a chapter to ONE and The Ladder and feels they should be outlawed since homosexuality is illegal. I just wanted to bring this evil little book to your attention for possible review (though I'd hate to think of anyone buying it) or any other action you might want to take.

Dear Editor:

Mr. D. L. San Francisco

In the magazine EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN there is an article on Gnosticism that hits hard at the deviate. This type of article is far more damaging than present day legal and moral battles. St. Paul did not preach celibacy as dogma. Some of the "boys" later enforced that brutal concept. After all the future belongs to the occultist. He can see through deception. Can homosexuality grow apace, or will it wither under the wily eye of psychic research? I am concerned.

Dear ONE:

Mr. A.

Los Angeles, California

It will be interesting to see what if any comment may be found in your letters on the tragic assassination.

I wonder how many other people noted how much the personality of Oswald is that of the classic "psychopathic dirt" type. While one would not want to wish death on anyone, still one could wish that Pres. Kennedy's life might have been spared as the result of Oswald's being locked up (how rarely executed!) after shooting some elderly retired interior decorator who had picked him up. Noel I. Garde N.Y., N.Y.

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