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Letters

The views expressed here are those of the writers. ONE's readers cover a wide range of geographical, economic, age, and educational status. This department aims to express this diversity.

Dear ONE:

Having come here recently from New Zealand, I feel the need to make some contribution to your cause and mine. As you can probably imagine, the personal position of an individual homosexual in New Zealand is extremely precarious. A small, almost a family, society keeps a far too watchful eye on any deviants from accepted positions. No one could pretend that Canada is, morally, a liberal society, though I am inclined to think that outspokenness carries a higher value than in my own country, and that there is at least a willingness to discuss difficult sexual situations. I am a maried man and my position is, therefore, equivocal, but I have felt that some tangible expression of my interest and concern was called for.

Dear One:

Yours faithfully, Canada

I have always meant to write but never had the necessary impetus before. I lived in Los Angeles almost all of my life. My parents were there, and I had many gay friends. I have a good profession and achieved success in my field at a very young age. But my parents, friends, and career could not make up for a great lack that I had always felt. I met a young man, a sailor, who came into LA on leave. I saw him on all his subsequent leaves and fell deeply in love with him. He was an unusually fine boy and I couldn't deny what I felt for him. There came a time when his duty in the Navy was finished and he was to return home. I had to make one of the biggest decisions of my life, and I did. I gave up my possessions, my job, my family, my friends, and the sunny climate of California and returned with him. I stayed with him and his family until I was able to find an apartment. I got an excellent job here, so there was no problem.

I love him very much, and we have grown ever closer. I see his family often, and they have become an important part of my life. My young man is adjusting nicely to civilian life and is working hard in a good position. We have a wonderful group of friends here, many of whom are "partners" and have been together for several years. We are young, 24 and 23, but have no fear of the future. There is nothing that cannot be discussed between us.

I'm glad I have waited until I could write you a happy letter. Enclosed is a check. You have given me courage and strength over the years, far more than you can ever know.

Dear Friends:

Sincerely,

Ohio

Yesterday I received probably the most depressing news a human being can ever receive. A very dear friend of mine committed suicide last week. Dick was one of three persons in my college graduating class with whom I was close. I do not know whether Dick was gay, nor did I ever tell him that I was. I do know that his unfortunate death at 23 leaves me chilled, depressed, and empty. As I thought about the friendship and aliveness that we shared, I felt a great need to do something to express that shared but now shattered aliveness. I honestly believe that Dick would have approved of the thing which I have decided to do, namely, to contribute this money in his memory to an organization, to a cause, which means more to me than any other. I have written "I. M. on this check so that I may include it in my scrapbook as a constant reminder of Dick and my tribute to a dead friend. I know that this money will be put to good use by good people and if it in some way assists one person to live a better life and to prevent that tragedy which befell my friend, then