I think I am not in sensitive but until now But one is not alone, either.-Mr. A. W. I have had very little awareness of older M., California. people as young people imprisoned in old bodies. Young men are not notably int erested in older men and to a man in his twenties or thirties, a man in his fifties is "old". Think back, J. H. D.; isn't it true? How many men of your present age did you find attractive or even protractedly interesting when you were less than forty? How many did you find so even when you were in your mid-forties and much closer than you realized to the cut off point? Even then, a fifty year old man seemed "old", didn't he? You identified with the thirty-ish crowd.

No, I do not think we can expect the younger homosexual to take any pity on the older man. How can we expect him to know that at mid-thirty he is far closer to fifty than he is to twenty? How can we expect him to know what we only just now learned by shocking personal observation -how suddenly and completely one is no longer young? But at fifty there is no denying that the skin has begun to crepe, the contours to show small points of sag. The eyes suddenly cannot see clearly without their bifocals, unless one is one of the lucky ones who had a bit of myopia before and is helped by the increasing need for longer arms. One may have the same physique and vitality he has always had (or nearly), the muscles may bulge as mightily as ever when they are flexed, but alas, when they are relaxed, they droop. The heterosexual man may look on the woman of his own age with a tolerant eye and find her still lovely, but anyone older is Mother. To the homosexual as well, the man of his own age may still be a fine figure of a man, but the older man is Dad. Once you cross the line, you've had it. Just be glad, J. H. D., that you found out in time to do something about it, even if it isn't all you'd like. Have you tried to find an older companion?

This seems to me to be the only solution for "aging" men, whether homosexual or heterosexual. Seek out the companionship of your own age group; it is both sad and useless to seek youth by clutch ing at those who still have it. You don't feel any older on the inside, but you look it on the outside. Maybe that old codger over there feels the same way! If one finds out too late that he is and always has been gay, it is as useless to wish he were younger as it is to wish he hadn't ever found out or had found out earlier. One cannot keep oneself from yearning for what one can no longer have, perhaps.

REVIEW EDITOR: This is a reply to J. H. D. (March issue). You say that you are an older homosexual who has trouble meeting younger men. Why not stick to your own age group? As for resorting to prostitutes, I think this is the foolish way out; it's expensive and degrading. First of all, an older homosexual should dress as meticulous as possible when he goes to a bar and should strike up conversation with someone in whom he seems interested. Above all, don't rush! You may. be rejected, but who hasn't faced rejection? I am 27 but seek men older than I as companions. I go for older men (whom I prefer to call mature) because they seem to want an "extended relationship" and. not just a session of a few minutes. I'm sure there are many young men in Virginia who may be interested in you.

One sure way to win over a young man is to invite him to your place for dinner some evening. Above all, be honest, forth. right and don't take on' phony airs. If you can't be accepted for what you are, your friend isn't worth it.-Mr. D. G., New York.

LIFE 'DOWNUNDER'

REVIEW EDITOR: As you know the Mat tachine REVIEW has been sent to me for the last six months. Well, a few days ago I received a letter from the customs that a package was being held until I would go in and they would open it in front of me. Sol phoned them and the voice at the end of the wire informed me that the package had your address on the outside, so yesterday I went in forarmed with the knowledge that I had a friend at the department. We opened the package and his eyes looked most upset when it was a publication called "Mattachine." This is not as bad as One or a publication called Man, but as your review is banned in this country and the final decision rests further up the ladder, I will have to wait on their decision. The customs could not show me anything that would offend, and as I stressed that it was the magazine of a research group, I did not see any need for the magazine to be banned...

Life "downunder" has a great number of bashings in the parks which circle our city, and. on the beach front. And, of course, the old cry when the wrong doers are picked up by the police is that the person that was attacked was trying to

mattachine REVIEW

pick them up for an unusual purpose, not years. Please believe me, I am seeking withstanding that the bashers are at these help and assistance from any friendly places six nights out of seven-out to source. In conclusion, please accept my make a few bob. This is not just going heartfelt thanks for your time and considon in Melboume, but in Sydney and Adeeration and I sincerely pray for you in laide, also. yourwonderful work. Mr. T. G., Kentucky.

My group have been advising people to be careful what they tell the police if ever questioned, as nine times out of ten, they are convicted from their own mouths. Educating our own can be a great problem, but if we stick together, we would be able to change the laws, but we have too much

fear.

REVIEW EDITOR: I would like to express my thanks for the hasty reply to my letter of April 10. I have read every article in the booklet which you were so kind to send me. Also pertaining to the matter of donations to the REVIEW. I am sorry to say that I could not send any amount of The new laws in some of the states money to it. As of this date I am still uncould be a blessing. I do hope that they employed. But as soon as I can find work spread throughout the states and then I will donate and also subscribe to the they may be able to be changed here. But REVIEW. Mr. A. K., Kentucky. the big battle is still to be fought, and each one of us must help do whatever he can to improve the lot of the person that needs help. Mr. J. W., Australia

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME

REVIEW EDITOR: Yesterday I had the most pleasant surprise of my life, name ly, a friend sent me 4 back issues of your publication. Until then I never knew any thing such as the REVIEW existed.. Nat. urally I'm interested because I am one of the "outcasts," as we are called here in Kentucky.

I believe that in the past ten years I have gained the knowledge of a lifetime, ustin actual experience, I was sentenced o a year at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute for being one. I have been examined by three psychiatrists and declared an incurable homosexual. Now I live in a

Community where "sex" in any form is 'verboten" and where homos are a com letely unwanted breed. I work for $30 er week because it is the only job I can ind and I long for the day to come when can remove myself from this place. I ould love to be a member of the Society nd a subscriber to your publication but I m afraid I can't afford it. Not being a ember or subscriber I would like to ask you could guide me as just where can I o to live a peaceful, happy life. At preent I live with my friend whom I love ery much and together we just want to > somewhere where we can work and live I peace.

Regardless of your advice I do want to ay that your publication has brought the rst sunlight into my life that has known ly darkness and unhappiness for many

THE HOMOSEXUAL INDUSTRY

REVIEW EDITOR: Have just finished reading February REVIEW, and found it very interesting, especially Mr. T. P. in Arizona about legal rights in event of ar test-about admitting or denying being a homosexual. That certainly doesn't per tain to L.A. or Frisco. I personally know of two arrests without guilt or admission of guilt. The accused required attorneys on both cases with cost of $550.00... If you are right or wrong you are still guilty. This was put to good words on page 4 (Calling Shots) of how power-lusting of homosexuals in order to line their own ficials try to control the lives of innocent pockets from false arrests and fines.

The broad minded foreign countries ac stead of like criminals. The people here cept homosexuals as they really are indon't understand the homosexual, so to them they are guilty of being a criminal and sought out when a crime is commit ted. The Society is doing an excellent job. Keep up you chin. I express my thanks and gratitude for everything you have done, or tried to do.-Mr. L. W., Cal.

NOT A GREAT PRICE

REVIEW EDITOR: It is with pleasure that I write this letter. At first, I hesitated to write; but my curiosity became so great that it compelled me to write. Perhaps you would like to know where I heard about the Mattachine Society. It was in a book that I was reading, and refered that your headquarters were in San Francisco. I wrote to the Postmaster and obtained your mailing address. I know little of the Society, except that it does much bede-

المدمج