human waste-such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and other socially destructive things which we can extend to material and property-embezzlement, theft, greed and envy, and so on.

Today we make a lot of effort treating these evils, these symptoms, and erect monuments to the reality of these social problems in the form of mental hospitals, jails (which we euphemistically call treatment centers) for certain offenders, and correctional institutions and prisons. 2.

It isn't necessary to elaborate here on how well our system is working. During a recent "mental health week," we learned that about one out of every five Californians will spend part of his life in a mental hospital. Should we be proud of this? I think not. Should we try to build more mental hospitals? Again, I think not. Then what is the answer?

The answer isn't simple, but I would like to suggest one simple place to start finding it: Examine closely and realistically our sex codes which we have been discussing, and throw away the myths and taboos. Give a green light to the enlightened social scientists, and then put into action the recommendations they are making so that we can finally get into step with reality and nature.

This isn't so sweeping a recommendation, nor am I the first one to make it. Many braver and more knowledgeable spokesmen have said so time and again. But the headway these people should be making is slow indeed, because we face such big obstacles in educating and applying knowledge where it counts-with the individual, you and me.

It is probably safe to say that each of us recognizes in our deepest self that in addition to human beings with mind and spirit, we are sexual creatures. Then why are we afraid to admit it? Kill that fear, replace it with knowledge, responsibility, and the courage of our own conviction, and we will have made the first great step toward a solution to the problems we have been talking about.

Earlier in the discussion we mentioned that Thomas Jefferdon said, "We might as well require a man to wear the coat which fitted him as a boy as to require civilized society to remain under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

Let's have the guts that Jefferson had. Let's accept the challenge of change, and cast off the handcuffs of hypocrisy and lies.

It's very probable we won't be having much more sex as a result. But we will be having it under conditions more devoid of fear and furtiveness, and with greater responsibility and joy. An uglier world cannot possibly result, so the achievement has to be one of greater beauty, understanding and harmony.

LITERARY scene

An informal column of reviews of fiction and non-fiction books on themes of sex variation

GENE DAMON

TRADITIONALLY SUMMER IS THE TIME to catch up on your reading, and to follow this tradition I've compiled a list of capsule reviews of titles you may have missed and a list of mysteries with substantial homosexual content or characters or both.

The Redhead by Alfred Andersch, Pantheon, 1961, Popular Library, 1962 Good political novel of the aftermath of war with a believable pair of male homosexuals in a tragic psychological duel based on past events. The Angry Time by Leonard Bishop, Frederick Fell, 1960, Monarch, 1961 Make My Bed in Hell by Leonard Bishop, Fawcett Gold Medal, 1961

Both of these titles have substantial homosexual characters and fast moving plots. The Angry Time is the better done novel, but readers will enjoy a new re-hashing of the James Dean story in Make My Bed in Hell. Pilgrims in the Zoo by Bruce Brooks, Boston, Beacon Press, 1960

This is a very special collection of short stories. The entire book has an aura of homosexuality (both male and female) and some of the stories are major treatments. The macabre tone will discourage some readers, but the writing is excellent. This book was overlooked almost entirely by reviewers although it was published by one of the really distinguished small presses in this country.

Master of This Vessel by Gwyn Griffin, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1961, Avon, 1962

In a plodding and sullen style we are told the slow moving tale of a ship in trouble, the untried man who must make the decisions and the reactions of the crew. There is substantial homosexual content, but it isn't easy reading.

Sons of the Fathers by N. Martin Kramer, Macmillan, 1959

This woman (Beatrice Ann Wright) produced what is considered by some a most excellent lesbian novel in her The Hearth and the Strangeness. This novel concerns six college friends, one boy is clearly homosexual and well handled and another is a sort of "reader's choice." Deserves wide reading.

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mattachine REVIEW