YES, I AM!

I wish it were possible for me to write this on my letterhead, but my "world" would be too shocked if they were to learn their perfectly proper and "normal" appearing friend, business and professional member of their society were any different than she appears. And more shocked to know that she is secretly glad to be a Lesbian.

I've never consulted a psychiatrist (but many have with me) as I am not emotionally disturbed nor suffering from a guilt complex. I am perfectly healthy, have no need or use for drugs, cigarettes or alcohol. Although I move in a society that uses them with the rest of their problems, I'm not concerned with their use.

I've only had one "friend". Fifteen years ago we "discovered" one another at a rather boring society tea and instantly we knew there was a tie that bound us. We've been true. There is nothing "cheap" about the deep love that we have shared. We are both very prominent women. There has never been the slightest finger of suspicion pointed at us. Our manners in public are such as not to attract any undue attention. We are both attractive, well groomed, fashionably dressed, completely feminine.

If occasionally our hands meet under the table when dining out it is with complete fulfillment and security. We have found what few individuals ever do that is complete compatibility and understanding, without jealousy or distrust.

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I am always secretly amused when some wise person says "I can tell one a mile away". When my secretary, a clever young woman who has been with me for 10 years, said to me recently when she accidently saw my copy of THE LADDER: "What do you want with that stuff you're no homosexual"

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I knew my mask had never slipped, and I was secretly proud of the fact. But I long for the day when I could say "I am a Lesbian" with the same ease I say "I am a Republican",

My friend and I do not and never have lived together. We have conventional families who never even guess we are

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