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does he reconcile two mutually contradictory imperatives? Obviously he cannot yield to his inclinations and still support the tenets of a social order that brands him an outcast, and preserve a shred of self-respect. Such a "solution" leads only to self-abasement, hypocrisy and cynicism. On the other hand, to deny his basic sexuality and to conform to a moral code that is diametrically opposed to his nature would transform him into a creature who with each swelling of desire would commit a sin of unexonorable loathsomehess. Neither of these alteratives is desirable, the one producing an individual that is basically at war with society, the other producing an individual that is so steeped in his own wretchedness that he ceases to be of value to anyone.

The answer then must lie outside of these two, and for a moral solution we must look past a morality established upon primeval religious taboos to a morality based upon nature itself. As mentioned earlier, the degree to which sexual activity constitutes neurosis can be explained as to the degree of sexual fixation. For the homosexual to make a positive effort to remove his fixation would indeed be a step forward. If he would approach the analyst's couch with the goal of eliminating his fixation, rather than in replacing it with a more socially approved but equally neurotic counterpart, this would produce a situation where a member of a minority was setting a moral example for the majority! The "deviate" would then take the forefront toward a more rational understanding of the sexual nature of man, and its many avenues of expression.

Society, too, has much to gain from a process of sexual enlightenment. Once the nature of sexuality has become known, people of all sexual inclinations will be better able to place sex in its proper perspective, devoid of the myriads of taboos produced through centuries of ignorance. Once this has occurred, one can look forward to a society where.unwarranted shame and guilt, and all their unfortunate by-products, might abate if not totallý disappear, and where people of diverse, sexual orientation might live socially and comfortably together, each cognizant of the others, and each respectful of the rights of others.

One cannot hope to maintain a sane society populated by neurotic persons. A neurosis is no more desirable because it is universal than if it were to be found in only one individual. Only through self-understanding and self-judgment by means of a morality based upon reason, as opposed to ignorance, can we hope to create a sane society populated by sane persons. The homosexual can render a valuable service by joining the fight for enlightenment, by resolvinghis moral dilemma in removing his fixation, by cooperation with education, and thereby helping mankind to break away from that well-spring of shame and misery: ignorance and taboo.

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FAT

CHANCE

1. THE DRESSING ROOM

randi

C. C..HAZARD

Well, Fat Face, you're certainly a sweaty mess now. One lousy matinee in May and your jowly fat face drips sweat all over the wardrobe. Whaddayagonna do? When you weigh 384 bare-assed naked, and you're only 5'4", one might say you were fat. One might, and they do, by God, they do!

I'd best get myself out of this costume before the sweat rots the fabric. They wanted a fat boy for this part, so that's what they got. They don't dare complain. Is this the third or fourth role I've gotten just because I sing real loud and look real funny? Who cares? This season I'm in demand. Every road company musical needs a fat boy with a big voice. The girls look better, the leading man looks tall and sexy, and all the dancers look like elves when

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mattachine REVIEW

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