As far back as I can remember I have always been "one of the girls."

The reason I have failed to renew my subscription to your splendid little magazine is due to car and TV payments. You see my credit is just too good, and I have splurged. Foolish? Look angels, how could I refuse to purchase the beautiful blue and white station. wagon when the tall and handsome, blond salesman-after looking around to see that

was noticing-put his arm around me, pulled me close and whispered, "Just think how much fun we could have in that car, baby." That did it. I said, "I'll buy it." Did he keep his word? Yes he did. He had what it takes and plenty of it. Savvy? Of course you do, darlings, so I won't draw a blueprint.

I shall become a steady subscriber to your wonderful magazine as soon as possible. Mr. J. R. W. Anaconda, Montana

ONE:

Here's a letter for you. I've often written, and remember seeing your quarters on Hill St. as I've been a Californian since '37, living until '58, in and around L.A. Needless to say, "got around." I had my bouts with "the law;" got acquainted with "Lincoln Heights" several times, and while the L.A. police don't like to admit it-and won'tthere are some very masculine-queers on the force, for I've had parties with some, who, on occasion when safely alone with me, proved queerer than I'd ever hoped to be or wanted to be.

On my next birthday, however, I'll be 63, so you see my galavantin days are really over-or should be! I've been in and around San Francisco and neighboring Northern California areas since '58, and by now, I've had it! I love San Francisco very much, and elect to spend my days from now on, as a "loner" -looking down the corridors of time; I've never found a male I could fasten myself onto, anyway. At best, for me, there were short friendships, overnight bedfellow-affairs, once, twice, three-times at the most.

Kid, with me homosexuality is nothing. more than a thought; anyone can say "yes" or "no" to it from Pope Paul on down. Sex may be a strong and powerful urge, but even at that, it isn't everything!

I am planning my life story; hope I'll live to see it between hard-covers in bookstores someday; I have a message to leave that will give readers something to think about. Mr. C. L.

Gentlemen:

San Francisco, Calif.

Using personal experience as a guide, I would think that homosexuals could safely think of themselves in a less martyred and

one

victimized role, one characterized more by self-confidence and responsibleness. Gay life has a flavor all its own which is not all bewildering, nor messy, nor a distortion of nature. It is undeniably fun if not taken too seriously, and superficiality is undeniably one of the characteristics of gay life. The only difficulty lies in finding some workable format of individuality compatible with the group-a difficulty not absent from straight life. Regardless of all considerations, we are a viable minority in a cosmopolitan society. We seek not to convince, but merely to exist in a framework at least vaguely reminiscent of the rights, privileges and public nuances of other human beings.

Homosexuals don't condense out of the air like unwelcome dew, nor are they the product of any process to be considered spurious. This isn't to deny for a moment the more "colorful" among us. Gay life is at best exhibitive of an amorphous, fluid morality, but if thought of as a process out of which is derived the potential for a compassionate existence within a freely chosen environment of homosexual involvement then one has a reliable, if comparatively bland, hope for tomorrow.

Gentlemen:

Mr. C. R. W. Chicago, Ill.

I want to offer my apologies for that bad word "faggot" I used in my letter, written to you in the beginning of February. In Amsterdam one of my friends told me that this word was one of the best words to use in the USA, and that it was not used to call names. In Philadelphia I met a boy and told him I has used that word and he told me that it is used to call names, and I have to use the word "gayboy." I hope you will accept my apologies for this terrible mistake.

Dear Don Slater:

Mr. R. D. Hammonton, N.J.

This is the life. Our forefathers went West in search of new land, a new life, and yet in our time there are many like my friend and I who have made the pilgimage to these lands here in Tennessee where it is not as inhabited as the West has become.

Perhaps I am speaking prematurely, but it looks as if El Rancho de Los Companeros will soon be a reality. Our code word for the Rancho is Esta' Escondido and if the Spanish Indians of long ago here in America are correct that means "It is hidden." And in this area of hollers and hills, El Rancho will certainly be hidden. We are actively going through the process of acquiring the land. Land is comparatively cheap here at