Dr. Baker Challenges ACCEPT YOURSELF

The homosexual can fill a unique place in society combining as they do both male and female attributes. It is up to the homophile to stop being afraid, to discover his or her creative potential and step forth into society and fill the waiting place. This is a part of the advice given at the April discussion meeting of the Daughters of Bilitis by Dr. Blanche M. Baker, San Francisco psychiatrist.

She presented a challenge to homosexuals in general to find and fill new paths in this ever-growing world. She challenged the Daughters of Bilitis in particular as an organization to work for the healing of lost souls. "A lost or lonely soul is usually one which is ready to grow, ready to discover.

In Dr. Baker's opinion the homosexual will some time be recognized. "Many creative fields lie ahead of you IF you will but stop de spising your selves, stop being ashamed and start creating a place for yourselves on this earth. It is not inconceivable. There were societies in the past which allowed homosexuals their place."

"Don't be content to remain as you are," Dr. Baker warned. A personal inventory is an excellent beginning towards finding which of your many "se lve s"make up the real self. As a start in this personal inventory she suggested making up a sheet headed "assets" and "liabilities", then, using the following categories, list your assets and liabilities for each: physical, emotional, mental. spiritual, social and financial..Other categories may be added, though these are the basic facets of the whole person. This inventory can be equally as helpful to a group as to an individu al.

Dr. Baker pointed out that to think only of your physical person is to think of only one part of the picture. The question is, "What makes the meat move?"! There are, besides the emotional self (motivating), the mind (mental) and the real driver, the part that says "I", the higher self (soul).

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