Growing Pains Don't Hurt!

'Growing Pains' Don't Hurt

While this is the first anniversary of THE LADDER, it marks the end of two years of "growing pains" for the Daughters of Bilitis.

It all began when eight women gathered together looking for a social outlet and some answers to a few of the problems which Lesbians face. And as is inevitable one idea led to another, and the present program of the organization gradually evolved.

The primary problem during the first year was that of meeting new people and spreading the word that the olub did exist complete with constitution and by-laws. The going was slow indeed. Although the fact that the Daughters were in existence was an unguarded secret, the word just wasn't getting around. Interest wavered, and membership fluctuated from a low of six to the 15 on the rolls at the end of the first year.

In an all-out push, "do or die" effort, the 15 set up public discussion meetings in a ronted hall with professional people invited to speak on the subject of FEAR as it relates to the homophile. For FEAR and the dispelling of it was the immediate problem to be faced if the organization were to be effective and continue to grow.

But setting up the meetings was not enough. How were the events to be publicized so that there would be anyone in attendance? And so THE LADDER came into being as a mimeographed newsletter just one year ago. As the first issue went to press there were 17 paid subscribers (at $1 per year) and a mailing list of some 200 names and addresses including psychiatrists, psychologists, attorneys and other professional people lifted out of the telephone directory. Additions to this list were made as anyone came up with more acquaintances. Members and friends of the Daughters are still asked to supply us with more names and addresses in order that sample issues of THE

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