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.

THE HOMOPHILE MOVEMENT

Sir:

I am writing you on behalf of a group of fifteen homosexuals. Our ages range from 20 through to 28. We are all professional people in occupations spread throughout New Zealand. Our problem is that we yearn to make contact with other homosexuals, both individuals and societies, throughout the world.

Here in New Zealand we are subject to restrictions somewhat more stringent than those found in most countries. Consequently, we are inclined to feel isolated and on Occasions persecuted. In this regard I'm writing to you asking if you would send us some information about ONE and if possible some copies so that we can decide if it is worth while taking out subscriptions to the magazine. I hope you find that you can help us and possibly we may be able to help you by promoting the magazine among our friends within New Zealand.

Sir:

Mr. V.

N. Z.

I am a college student, living on limited. funds. However, I feel strongly about the work you are doing, so am delighted to contribute as much as possible. I only wish I could do more.

We need a group such as ONE, and we need it desperately! In no other way, except by banding together in an organization such as ONE can we ever hope to gain acceptance in a predominantly heterosexual world, and recognition as individuals, worthy individuals, who can and do contribute to everyone's welfare. I pray for the day we will be regarded as individuals, and judged on our individual strengths and weaknesses, instead of being arouped as a whole, an extremely undesirable whole (in "straight" minds), as we largely are now. Mr. H.

Sir:

Santa Ana, Calif.

Re: homosexuals favoring legalization of marriages and adoption of children by ho-

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mosexuals, it must be remembered that the original purpose for which the institution of legal marriage was originated was to insure the succession of property rights to legitimate offspring. Such does not apply (obviously) to homosexuals. Of far greater immediate importance to the homophile movemeni is (1) The right of homosexuals to employment by the Federal, State and local governments, the Armed Services, and private industry without fear of discrimination, (2) For homosexual acts between consenting adults in private to no longer be illegal, (3) For homosexuals to be able so solicit one another for homosexual acts, without fear of entrapment, (4) For homosexuals to be able to gather in bars and any other place without fear of harassment, and (5) For homosexuals to be able to live together openly AS HOMOSEXUALS without harassment or resistance from the public.

These are our MAJOR IMMEDIATE GOALS. Once these goals are accomplished in fact, THEN other goals will rise to become of major importance and perhaps THEN, two of these goals will be "marriage and adoption. of children." But in the meantime, let us not confuse these with the issues of greatest immediate importance. Let's stick together on this NOW. Let's pull the rug from under the major points of resistance to our movement. Marriages and adoptions are not constitutional rights of such importance as the five goals listed above, and from the point of view of powerful religious groups, any such homosexual "threat" to their "holy institution of marriage and family" merely serves to align them against the fulfillment of the homosexual's primary social needs. Mr. I. Miami, Fla.

ON THE "REBELS WITHOUT A CAUSE" Sir:

What a confusing world this has gotten to be. It seems as if we have enough troubles in the world without winding up with two ONES, or should I say ONE and a half, or possibly ONE and a splinter. Congratulations on the legal moves. The rebels are still