CAT

IV

FROWING UP'

:,,, !: ┬|

"How Can the Homophile World Grow Up?" was the subject of a lively panel discussion staged between the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis at the August Kattachine public meeting.

The goal, or the definition of being "grow up", was defined by Basil Vaerlen, psychotherapist and moderator of the discussion, as "conforming to a certain degree, yet still preserving individuality and contributing one's bit to society".

Sage advice from the panel to achieve this goal follows:

1. If you can't fight 'em, join 'em. of conformity is only protective coloring. Being "different" is

'em, join 'em. A degree

2. Stop playing a role.

simply an act. Be yourself!

3. Individualize rather than generalize. Many hostilities are due to judgment by extremes instead of considering the average.

4. Remember you are a human being first. Your difference is only in choice of love object, and actually your feelings, emotions and problems are the same as any heterosexual's. 5. Quit worrying about what other people think What do you think?

of you.

6. Common courtesy can do wonders.

little patience for good measure.

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Throw in a

Out of the suggestion that members of the two organizations may learn to get along better (that is, getting the male and female homophile to know and accept cach ther) through mutual social functions came an idea for dating.

"Living in a predominantly heterosexual world, an individual at times must, ɔr should, have a date. At office parties or the like it very often leaves a lot better impression," one of the panel members pointed out.

Other advantages to this dating idea between male and female homophiles were discussed by the panel: getting

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