break all my indows. Why did you change your mind?"

Ricky nswered quickly, "But that was before I knew you, Joannie. I changed my mind because you were nice to me. You knew that my Mom couldn't speak English or understand how kids here feel and act. You always answered my questions; you trusted and you didn't yell at me----you

Just liked me."

"Ricky" I said quickly, "I wonder why you haven't given Ellis and Rusty the same chance you gave me ----the chance to become acquainted. I feel sure there are many things you could learn from them that I know nothing about---politics, sports, cars, to name a few all things you are interested in."

Ricky, blushing a bright crimson, stared at a spot on the vall. Finally he blurted out---"Well, maybe they do know lot of things, but gee, Joannie, they are different! You know---the sex part."

"Oh Lord," I silentl; an sincerely prayed, "Here I am with chance to break down a little of the invisible wall of misunderstanding nd prejudice that separates us from homosexuals. I could Sure :se some help about now, Lord." I he doesn't like the all either, because the words came to me.

uess

"Different?" I cried, "why of course their sex life is ifferent. I don't suppose every heterosexual couple have exactly the same sexual relationships either, Rick. Happiness is what counts. It's just as simple as that--the right of each individual to find his own happiness in this world. You stress difference, Ricky, yet your three best friends all have different colored skins. You don't condemn them for this; why condemn a person whose sex life may be somewhat different? Sex is a very private thing. It should only concern society when a child is involved. Look at it this way, Ricky, you say 'ee-ther'--I say. 'eye-ther'. The spelling is the same---it's just a preference. Homosexuality is a preference too. You don't hate me because I prefer to say 'eye-ther'; hy hate two real nice people because they prefer each other? I don't think we need concern ourselves as to the reasons for this