Letters

to the

editors

Friends:

My job requires me to check some of the British journals so I came across this article by Dr. Michael Schofield, "Social Aspects of Homosexuals," in the British Journal of Venereal Disease, vol. 40, No. 2, page 129, June 1964. It contains a quote from ONE of October '62. Among other things, the article says "They distrust the authorities and easily take offense. Many of them will not cooperate in tracing the source of infection and some will intentionally mislead. This is not necessarily due to a flaw in the homosexual personality, but is caused by the legal and social setting in which the homosexual finds himself." Mr. W.

Dear ONES:

San Francisco, California

I want to express my gratitude for your hospitality while I was in L.A. The tour of the quarters and my discussion with Mr. Legg impressed upon me the vitality of the group. Equally impressive is the sheer magnitude of the effort required to keep such a program going. Bravo!

Too frequently the basis of the appeal for a cause rests upon the personalities of the leaders. Only when a cause can develop an appeal that transcends the personalities of its organizers can it have any hope of continuity of support. This is especially true when much of the business control is necessarily amateur. I was heartened to find that ONE not only has a very broad appeal, but also is developing a momentum that will carry it.

Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of my visit was the acquaintances that I made at the "working committee" on the Friday nights. This was the first time that I have encountered gay men who seemed mature and well-adjusted to their life. Their actual existence (I had doubted it previously) is very encouraging to me.

I enclose the yellow pages from the phone book so you can write the local newsstands to get them to sell the Magazine. Mr. W.

Boston, Massachusetts

Dear Don:

I sure did enjoy Aubrey Bailey's article "As for Me" in the January '65 issue. He reflects my sentiments entirely! I am 21. My sister is three years younger than I am and already has four kids. Not only are they constantly in debt, but are lucky to eat. They spend their time sitting home with the kids.

I live at home with my parents, have my own room in the back, work when I please, and enjoy my unusual and expensive hobbies. Why should I give this up? If I got married tomorrow I'd have to give up my antiques, nickelodeons and gun collection in 6 months time. Mr. L.

Gentlemen:

Bakersfield, Californic

If and when I get both my financial and heart problems straightened out, I can upgrade my Membership and get down to L.A. for some of your Lectures. My wife and daughter got over half of my aftertax income. This should be reduced next fall when my wife returns to teaching school (we are separated but not divorced yet).

If only I hadn't had those 150 sessions with a psychiatrist and if you had existed in 1950 (when I married) I might not be in this fix now. If your organization does nothing except keep those who shouldn't from getting married married it will be it will be doing very worthwhile and much needed work. Your Tour of Europe is something I would like to go on very much.

Dear Mr Slater:

Mr. D. Portland, Oregon

We have forwarded a complete file of Gay to you under separate cover. I fear we cannot be proud of our record of regularity since we have gotten national distribution. May we have permission to reprint "Greens Leaves?" I very much enjoy reading ONE and Confidential. I am looking forward to coming west sometime in early Spring, and we hope to visit you then.

It goes without saying that were it not for the fact of ONE's having laid the ground work for this sort of national publication, it could not exist. We are very much indebted to you.

Robert Maynard

Gay Publishing Co., Ltd.. Toronto, Canada