Young Homosexual Women Are Rebelling

By Enid Nemy

NEW YORK-The young homosexual woman, to an increasing degree, is refusing to live witn the limitations and restrictions imposed by society and is showing a sense of active resentment and rebellion at a condemnation she considers unwarranted and unjust.

She considers herself part of what many refer to as the "current sexual revolution." When the necessity arises, she is now more frequently willing to risk open discrimination and prejudice-in jobs and with friends and acquaintances ("Some people won't talk to us; they think it's catching.")

The new assertiveness and increasing visibility has resulted in:

A rise in attendance at the weekly meetings of the New York chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis, a national lesbian organization. Several years ago, 20 to 40 was considered average; today the figure ranges between 60 and 125, a three-

fold increase.

• Active participation in some of the newer homosexual organizations, including the Student Homophile League and the Gay Liberation Front. Although these groups are supported primarily by homosexual males, a woman is chairman of the New York University Student Homophile League and there are women executive members at Cornell University and at Columbia, where the organization was founded three years ago. `

• A marked increase in the number of women picked up by New York

City police for "loitering," a charge applied "for soliciting another for the purpose of engaging in deviate sexual intercourse." Ten women were picked up under this charge in 1968, and police spokesman estimated that the ratio of men to women was, at the time, 12 to 1. A total of 49 women and 69 men have

been apprehended on the same charge in the first nine months of 1969.

One of the aims of the Daughters of Bilitis, founded in 1955 and named after

19th century song lyrics glorifying lesbian love, is to explore the plore the possibility of changing present laws. The organization, with headquarters in San Francisco, now has four official and five probationary chapters; until last year the only chapters were in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

IN ADDITION to social activities, self-discussion and providing a forum for professional advice (legal and psychological), the organization is prepared to assist in what it terms "responsible" studies and research

"We are a civil liberties organization,' organization," said Joan Kent (a pseudonym), national vice president, eastern division.

It is not illegal to be a lesbian in New York state but it is illegal to perform a lesbian act.

Many lesbians have rejected the church but almost all are encouraged by the increasing dialogue between religious leaders and homosexuals. Many theologians are inclined to agree with a statement made by

Rabbi Norman Lamm, the Rabbi Norman Lamm, the spiritual leader of the Jewish Center in New York and professor of Jewish philosophy at Yeshiva University.

“HOMOSEXUALITY b etween consenting adults should not be treated as a criminal offense," R a b bi Lamm said, "but to declare homosexual acts as morally neutral and at times as a good thing is scandalous." The statement, made last year and repeated recently, has been both supported and attacked by other rabbis.

Whatever the general feeling on the morals and ethics of homosexuality (a recent Harris poll reported that 63 per cent of the nation believes that homosexuals are

"harmful to American life"), there is apparently increasing support from public bodies for a change

in the laws.

A task force of 14 experts, appointed by the National Institutes of Mental Health, last month issued a majority report (three members expressed reservations on

some of the recommendations) urging states to abolish laws that make homosexual intercourse a crime for consenting adults in private. Two states have such laws. The Illinois measure was passed in 1961 and Connecticut approved one last summer, to take effect in 1971.

A RECENT poll conducted by Modern Medicine, a publication, reported that 67.7 per cent of the 27,741 doctors polled were in favor of allowing homosexual acts.

There is, on the other hand, some belief that the proliferating number of articles and reports and in-

creased public awareness of homosexuality has produced a "sexual backlash."

"The general public assumes that to remove an inappropriate law is to vote for lawlessness," said Robert Viet Sherwin, a lawyer who specializes in domestic relations and is the author of "Sex and the Statutory Law."

DESPITE the increasing activities of the homosexual female, many experts in the field define her relationships as "generally more discreet" than those of the homosexual male.

"With many women, a homosexual relationship evolves or devloves into a kind of companionate pair," according to Dr. Charles W. choanalyst and author of Socarides, a medical psy-

"They protect each other there is often very little acand depend on each other; tual sexual contact."

""The Overt Homosexual."

Socarides, who has treated many homosexuals, believes that "women are much more emotionally committed; they can't have one-night stands and leave." AT THE Daughters of Bilitis, the relationship between Doris and Terry, two women in their 50s who have shared a home in the suburbs for 20 years, is held up as an example of lesbian stability. Both women are scientists by profession, but Terry now stays home and keeps house.

"We don't run around and do wild things," commented Terry who thinks there is no doubt that the neighbors know of their relationship. "If you behave yourself, pay your bills and don't offend, the community ac-

cepts you."