editorial

Homophiles have been present in each generation down through history. In each era we have had our influence. And a study of our contributions can make nobody ashamed of them.

We believe that not only should homophiles be conscious of and take pride in our past but also the present and-just as important-the future.

In this trinity of the past, the present, and the future, in normal people the future is evoked by "living on through one's children."

We are not the norm. And just as that fact has not kept us from influencing and contributing to society in the past and present, so that fact need not keep us from having a sense of the future, of participating vicariously in the future, of influencing the future.

What of the next generation of homophiles, and the one after that? You and I will be dead, but another generation of homophiles will be here. Will they have as difficult a time as we did? What contributions to society will be made by them? Will the organized group fight against discrimination made by a homophile organization, which can be the only effective fight, still be carried on?

That it will be carried on after I am dead is a concept that is tremendously exciting to me, and to help insure it, I have, as I knew others had, written my will toward that end. Perhaps my contribution will be but a drop in the bucket compared to the large amount needed by a homophile organization. But collectively, legacies can provide in the future that extra something necessary in the matters of lasting importance, such as ONE's expensive but winning battle through the courts all the way to the U. S. Supreme Court. ONE has been extremely fortunate in the calibre of attorneys attracted to our cause, brilliant men sympathetic solely from the intellectual and civil rights viewpoint. If you do not already have a sympathetic attorney to make your will, a referral can be made.

I don't know where I'll be after I am dead. Both places have disadvantages and advantages. They say Heaven for climate, but Hell for company. But if from either place I can look and see homophiles still upsetting society by daring to fight for their rights, I'll laugh and know the money was well spent.

K. O. Neal

one