and free of persecution is among his own kind.

Since the law enforcement authorities are, in the word's of California's District Attorney, Thomas Lynch, helpless to enforce the present statutes as they exist, they must resort to a refined kind of persecution known as "entrapment." They encourage the homosexual to "step out of line" by making the first advances-and then arresting him for lewd conduct. In the words of a prominent newspaper columnist: "The police farce (sic) commits the sin and charges!"

If any "regular" citizen were arrested by the police in a bar, or on the street and charged with "vagrancy" merely because he had a wallet full of checks-but no cash-there would be an immediate outcry from the public. The laws governing "vagrancy" are as obsolete as those governing homosexuality-and though these laws are on the books, only the latter laws are enforced by entrapment... or by flimsy circumstantial evidence.

It is a pity when we all talk so highly of our democratic way of life, that individuals are labeled "criminals" merely because of what they do in bed. If two individuals meet; live together and settle down to enjoy a happy existence, then, no matter what their sex may be, they are entitled to live as they please and in privacy. As the columnist, Herb Caen, stated recently: "Homosexuals who leave others alone, should be let alone!"

Ferhaps the most amazing viewpoints expressed during the sixty-minute forum on homosexuality, were those of Episcopal Bishop James A. Pike and Rabbi Alvin Fine. The Rabbi said: "God does not require the destruction of the evil-doer, but rather the correction of the evil." Bishop Pike said: "We do not classify all persons with this condition (homosexuality) as sin-

ners."

As a homosexual, who tries to be a Christian, there was no place for me in the church. Our laws are based on the Ten Commandments of Mosesbut law, if it is to be just, must be tempered with mercy. Bingo-a form of gambling-would be looked down upon as a source of income for the church. Jesus threw the gamblers from the temples. Today, one can rationalize. Today, too, it is possible for the Church to force our lawmakers to change the obsolete statutes applying to homosexuality.

People are not "black" or "white"-good or bad. They are human. They are a combination of both-a sort of off-grey, one might suppose. Those of us who, by choice or by accident, happen to be homosexual, should be able to look toward the church-and our fellow beings for assistance and guidance, and compassion. As has been stated, there is no "miracle cure", but in the meantime, the minority, the 45% of our people who are homosexual to a significant degree or who have these tendencies, can be allowed to continue their pursuit of happiness and, in return, make their contribution to an enlightened society. ■

mattachine REVIEW

NIGHT CHILDREN

Down half deserted streets night children drag

their torn loneliness to bed

to dream

what might have been

had such and such been different,

what was

was,

and is no more.

-Bud Kelly