READERS write

Letters from readers are solicited for publication in this regular montbly department. They should be short and all must be signed by the writer. Only initials of the writer and the state or country of residence will be published. Opinion expressed in published letters need not necessarily reflect that of the REVIEW or the Mattachine Society. No names of individuals will be exchanged for correspondence purposes.

VALUE JUDGMENTS & CURE

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value judgment after another. We can ig nore his absurdities on Greek history, anthropology and art, but perhaps he can be induced to give clinical psychological" evidence for the Freudian value judgments, such as Oedipal complex and castration fear, that he has adopted-to explain all. He seems unaware of the basic pessimism of the Freudian psychology of adjustment.

Homosexuals will be forced into neurosis as long as they are unaware of their heritage and possibilities. Why give in to a society whose mores are themselves degenerate in their fear? Answer me this: as a neurotic homosexual, to whom would you turn for treatment were it possible: Socrates or Fink?-Mr. B. F., Ohio

REVIEW EDITOR: For some time the REVIEW has been featuring articles by individuals whose psychiatric authority is merely assumed. It should be istressed that psychiatry, like surgery or any other specialty, requires a residency training of several years after which one becomes a candidate for board certification. Any physician licensed to practice medicine may legally represent himself as a spec ialist although if he has no recognized training he would be practicing without hospital affiliation or the support of his colleagues. This is the case of the cele brated Dr. Bergler who is a licensed physician but certainly not certified in psy⚫ chiatry. The case of psychologists is per haps equally unclear to the public generally. Although a Ph. D. degree may represent extensive training in psychology, the medical profession has always been opposed to the diagnosing and treating of mental and emotional illness by psychologists. This opposition has recently been strengthened by evidence that, biochemi-cently when it "Finkered" them with pro

cal and genetic factors play a major part in emotional disorders. Undoubtedly an anxious and insecure person would be greatly reassured by friendly, sympathetic counseling. There is no verified history, however, of a homosexual ever having been "cured" of his inclination by any practitioner of the healing artsT. M., Ohio

REVIEW EDITOR: You give the impres sion that you don't know whether you are coming or going. What is the purpose of publishing a magazine for homosexuals without seeking to sustain and encourage their view that it would be better for all homosexuals AND society if society were to modify its rituals and taboos. Instead you increase their feelings of guilt by publishing another article by another "author ity" attacking them as neurotics. Note how the "clinical psychologist" uses one

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REVIEW EDITOR: I watched San Fran cisco become stultified once under a process someone aptly labeled Ahernization," after a late police chief who tried to dam the flow of human nature. I gulped as the REVIEW "Ellis-ated" its readers from time to time and swallowed hard re-

nouncements which help the homosexual in about the same way. When is someone going to turn on a bright, clear light to guide us-one that makes sense? —Mr. F. H., Califomia

EDITOR'S NOTE: It seems unnecessary to become "Ellisated," "Finkered" or "Berglerized" if one seeks and finds his own self-acceptance and workable life adjustment. Learn the facts, and think for yourself. We agree with some of their colleagues in the professions that Dr. Ellis, Dr. Fink and Dr. Bergler have no greater insight into the realities of homosexualism and its problems than do others whose viewpoints contradict them. And don't forget that these three doctors themselves have widely separated view points.

mattachine REVIEW

DOLLAR DONATION IDEA

REVIEW EDITOR: "A dollar every pay. day”—that idea, as expressed in last issue, is a good one. I will henceforth send a dollar to Mattachine and to One on alternate paydays.-Mr. W. I. M, Calif. REVIEW EDITOR: I'll take you up on that couple of bucks a month if you provide the envelopes as stated in the last issue.-Mr. H. U. S., California EDITOR'S NOTE: Envelopes are in the mail.

DOUBLE SUBSCRIPTION

REVIEW EDITOR: Frequently friends ask to borrow copies of the REVIEW and they do not seem to be returned. I am therefore enclosing an extra $5 and will appreciate receiving two copies each month instead of the usual one.—Mr. R. McK., California

REVIEW EDITOR: Enclosed is a donation. I am very much interested in your work although, living at such a distance, I am unable to do much. May others take an interest in it... you are doing much good. It takes much persistence to change social attitudes but any progress, however slight, is better than none at all.-Mr. E. F., California

REVIEW EDITOR: There is a great need for your type of publication, not only for the homosexual, but for a deeper understanding in heterosexual circles. It is my sincere hope that someday these publications will be on all newsstands along with Life, Saturday Evening Post and Newsweek.-Mr. F. W., Colorado

REVIEW EDITOR: Permit me to congratu late you on the August issue of the REVIEW, and especially on Mr. Rolland Howard's statement-Miss P. H., Illinois

Mrs. Iris Moté

"REFLECTIONS OF A HOUSEWIFE"

On the day I became a freshman at Santa Rosa Junior College I couldn't wait to sign for Philosophy LA and then one afternoon in study hall Plato seemed to be saying that men make love to other men. Long ago I'd learned that to get a sensible answer to a sensible question one should ask a sensible person so I scooped up my books and headed for the cafeteria, where our philosophy teacher would be correcting papers.

My legs walked but my mind was racing. Had THEY managed to keep one of their miserable secrets from me after all? When I was ten the girl next door had told me about the father's part. Not much later, after a church sermon on adultery, I'd asked the minister and my mother what the word meant and their sudden silence and leery looks had sent me straight to the dictionary. But what was this business with the Greeks that nobody'd mentioned to me? I hadn't read about it in the true stories at my grammar school arithmetic teacher's house, nor in her Encyclopaedia Britannica nor in any of the other books of knowledge to which I was forever being sent "to look something up." How strange that by the age of 18 my head had been crammed with acceptable subjects such as far away stars and inanimate rocks but with almost nothing about the most important subject of all. Oh knowledge was king all right but sex information wasn't even a step-child.

My teacher, Florence Rhodehamel, was in the cafeteria and I asked, "Do 25