'phile's life is obviously never an easy one. Even the use of the word "gay" is perhaps a coverup in an attempt to be brave when one's heart is heavy with the weight of society's rejection. Most of the life of the homophile—at least some will admit it!-is in the realm of fantasy, in a pathetic attempt to reach some sort of quasi-heterosexual reality, as in the drag dance. A man dressed and made up as a woman is no threat to a homosexual, but he is still not a woman! The homosexual's dreams have the wishful nature of a child's, ending always in emptiness and disillusionment.

The conviviality at a gay bar may give the heterosexual onlooker the feeling that homophiles are truly "gay," but it is all a thin camouflage-there is always the morning after with its disenchantment. If anyone wishes to deny this, what about the many homosexuals who search for one pickup after another-whether in park, bar, or men's room-unconsciously perhaps seeking some ideal image of himself (or a warm father-figure), but never seemingly able to find a satisfactory partner. Several patients, in the beginning of analysis, went from one public men's room to another, daily finding new partners, always feeling a sense of disgust and revulsion after each homosexual act, never wanting to see the same man twice. This is not relatedness, but prostitution for physical release only. One might be happier masturbating for ter sion release than pretending some sort of sexual relationship with someone where the other person, in Buber's sense, was a thing to be used for the moment's need, and of no further use thereafter-rather than a person to be respected and loved.

Is "Cure" Impossible?

The Mattachine Society believes in the homosexual becoming adjusted as best he can to his homophilic life, rather than in possible "cure." Some homosexuals come for treatment of other problems, asking that their homosexual adjustment be left intact. Only rarely can such a patient be encouraged to gain heterosexual experience, with the view of working a possible change in that direction. Perhaps, like alcoholics, no homosexual is ever completely "cured" of his passion for his own sex. But many do make a reasonably noteworthy heterosexual adjustment, particularly those who have been bisexual and initially have had at least some small degree of heterosexual experience and interest.

The heterosexual adjustment, if attained, can bring them a good deal more self-respect and satisfaction than giving in to the idea that change is "impossible." Much depends on the individual's motivation, whether he really wants to change. Many homosexuals refuse to make the effort! It is very comforting, even in a case where no congenital evidence is apparent, for a homosexual to be told that he was "born that way," for this relieves him of having to do anything about his condition except accept it. Since there is far

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more evidence that homosexuality develops as a result of unfortunate environmental (including parental) influences than that it is "inherited," it behooves the wise homosexual to at least make a serious attempt to combat his problem before he completely gives in to it. Many of my readers will shout, "Easier said than done!" I agree, but I still maintain that any progress attained is worth the sweating out process in terms of improved adjustment and relationships with society! None of us can live on an island, and just do what we wish, without regard for the beliefs and behavior of the majority.

The controversial Dr. Albert Ellis is certainly overly optimistic about the possibility of "cure" being available to all homosexuals (just as not every schizophrenic, etc. can be cured!), but I would rather see homosexuals at least try to get cured through expert professional help than take a defeatist attitude which so many have (often to rationalize their own behavior), and soapbox that cure is "impossible, so why waste money and time on it?”

Not every alcoholic can be cured either, of course! But many homosexuals, particularly if they've had some heterosexual experience that was not too traumatic for them, might develop their latent heterosexual natures, if they had more confidence that this was possible. The intense and sustained effort required to achieve this goal would have its reward in whatever improvement could be attained toward a more creative, normal life. Too many homosexuals rationalize away any desire for change in themselves by pretending that homosexuals are "superior" to squares, an obviously neurotic defense measure that can serve no useful purpose, but only delays action in the person seeking to rehabilitate himself, through understanding, professional guidance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Fink is a certified clinical psychologist in New York State and Florida, and is also certified by the American Board for Psychological Services. He is the founder and past director of the Mar riage Counseling Service, and Palm Beach County (Fla.) Guidance Association. He is a member of many profession al societies, including the Clinical and Counseling Divisions of the American Psychological Association, the Associa tion for the Advancement of Psychother apy, the American Group Psychotherapy Association, the New York Society of Clinical Psychologists, the New York

Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Religion and Mental Health (of which he is a charter member), the Psychologists in Private Practice, and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex. Dr. Fink is the author of two books: Mind and Per formance, concerning intelligence of man and animals, and Long Journey, the paychoanalysis of one of his patients with homosexual and other problems. (Both books are available, autographed from the author, 809 N. E. 20th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., or through Dorian Book Service.)