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S I .2 5 Published bi-monthly by the Daughters of Bilitis, Inc., a non-profit corporation. ¡005 Market Street, Room 208. San Francisco, California 94103. THE

purpose off the VOLUME XIII, NUMBER VII & VIII LADDER APRIL— MAY 1969

0^ B l L I T I S NATIONAL OFFICERS, DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. President, Rita Laporte iVOMfc V ’V ORCASIZMIOS FOR THE FURPOSE UF PROMOTISG Vice President, East, Joan Kent THE tSTEGRATIOS OF THE HOMOSEWAL INTO SOCIETY BY: Vice President, West, Rinalda Reagan Secretary, Lynd James Treasurer, Lois Williams Chapter Presidents are also included on The Board

THE LADDER STAFF Editor, Gene Damon Production Assistant, Lyn Collins ^ Fducalion of the Lesbian, enabling her to understand herself Production Manager, Helen Sanders and to make her adjustment to society in all its social, civic, Secretary to the Editor, Maura McCullough and economic implications - hy establishing and maintaining Circulation Manager, Priscilla Cochran a library of both fiction and non-fiction literature on the sex Staff Assistants, Karen Wilson, Sten Russell, Ben Cat deviant theme; by sponsoring public meetings on pertinent subjects to be conducted by leading members of the legal, THE LADDER is regarded as a sounding board for various points o f view psychiatric, religious and other proTessions; by providing the on the homophile and related subjects, and does not necessarily reflect the Lesbian a forum for the interchange of ideas within her own opinion o f the organization except such opinions as are specifically ac­ group. knowledged by the organization. | * IN THIS ISSUE: O Education of the public, developing an understanding and acceptance of the Lesbian as an individual, leading to an The Lesbian at Work by Jo Harper 4 eventual breakdown of erroneous taboos and prejudices - by Radar! —A short story by Junerwanda 8 . . . Economics of the Gay Marriage by Julie Lee 12 public discussion meetings and by dissemination of educa­ 16 tional literature on the Lesbian theme. Summer Symbiosis—Four Poems by Hessa Way Station—A short story by Margaret Elliott 21 Gay Is Good—So What? Report by Del Martin 24 Lesbian Literature 1968—An Annual Review by Gene Damon 25 Encouragement of and participation in responsible research Books—Two Reviews by Jeannette H. Foster, Ph.D. 29 dealing with homosexuality. Stand Up And Be Counted—A fable in mauve by Jocelyn Hayward 32 Counsellor’s Corner by Ruth M. McGuire, Ph.D. 36 Cross Currents ^ Readers Respond Investigation of the penal code as it pertains to the homosexual, proposing and promoting changes to provide an equitable hand­ Front and Back Covers by Lili Cultrane „ „ „ „ c c, „ ling of cases involving this minority group through due process Interior Photographs—Kim of THE TAILORED POODLE, San of law in the state legislatures. Francisco. Illustrations by Elizabeth Chandler

Copyright 1969 by Daughters o f Bilitis, Inc., San Francisco, California. by Jo Harper heterosexual married woman. And Quite a number of homosexual I’m quite sure this reflects in a cor­ women work harder for rather less responding sense of responsibility profound reasons than these. Hazel, towards one’s job.” a bookkeeper in a medium-sized The Lesbian at Work It should perhaps be noted that office, remembers that from the be­ Alison and Mary are unusually ginning if there was an unfinished fortunate in that their approximately job at quitting time, she was the one Living a half-life, furtive and self-improvement and further equal professional status and earn­ most often asked to stay late. “The insecure behind an office desk? qualification as they arise. There ing capacities make it easier for manager automatically assumed Hindered from doing a good job by is no doubt that she is fortunate them than for many other couples that the married women would want the heavy secret of nonconformity? compared to heterosexual career to share household financing on an to dash off home to husband and Fired in disgrace without a refer­ girls who have to face the fact that equal basis. Many homosexual mar­ kids,” she says, “So he usually ence or even a farewell handshake? in this age of rapid advance and de­ riages come closer to a heterosexual asked me. It doesn’t happen all Of course not. Lesbians are at velopment an interruption of their partnership in that one of the two that frequently, but it certainly work in almost every trade and pro­ careers for marriage and childbear­ has a better job and better earning cured me of the clock-watching fession, enjoying— as much as any­ ing may well produce a gap in more capacity than the other. Among habit, which is no great aid to ef­ body enjoys earning a salary— what than time. Often they have to ac­ such couples, however, financing is ficiency, I’d say.” we are doing, and performing cept subordinate posts under more often still on a 50/50 basis, which Hazel, who has (albeit involun­ adequately quite unhampered by recently and more highly qualified means an increased rather than a tarily) become an efficient and the fact of our homosexuality. people, and in some cases they are decreased degree of responsibility highly valued employee of her com­ In fact, talking the subject over required to undergo a retraining towards her role of provider—and pany, also commented that she is with acquaintances, I have come pieriod in order to cope with new thus towards her job— by the lesser ipso facto something of an asset to the conclusion that quite a few of techniques, new equipment, or new earner. when vacation schedules are being us are performing rather more than qualification standards that have Even in cases where the gap be­ planned, since she is free and will­ adequately—this because o f our been introduced since their “retire­ tween earning capacities is so great ing to take leave outside of the homosexuality, not in spite of it. ment.” that one partner must be considered school summer vacation period The following are just some of Alison has lived for several years the senior provider, the other usu­ when all the married women with the points of view and experiences with Mary. Both have made a suc­ ally has a less subservient attitude children want to be off. that emerged from our discussions. cess of professional careers, both towards her role than does a hetero- Maxie is quite a lot younger than Faint hearts and employment of­ earn good money. Both believe sexually married woman. This is Hazel or Alison. She works in a ficers take note! that freedom from the traditional partly for the pure and simple rea­ typing pool and she also reckons “Right from the outset, we are idea of the male as the chief fin­ son that her partner is not that that she puts more into her job than able to have a much more single- ancial provider in a partnership traditional leaning-post, a man, most of the straight girls around minded attitude towards our also has an effect on their work at­ and partly because, if a homosexual her. Sixteen and a half hours more careers than most heterosexual titudes. marriage is free of the financial per month, in fact.. . girls.” Alison, a research statisti­ “I Tenow that a great many hetero­ burden of children, it produces “We’re right alongside the sales cian, expressed a common feeling sexual women, married ones, take instead a potential for other finan­ section, see, and there are a lot of and one of the most important their careers seriously,” Alison cial responsibility. For example, a young, single guys in there. I’d factors. “Knowing at the start that commented. “And I’m not be­ married man’s participation in a estimate that, what with chit-chat my working life was not going to littling them. Nevertheless, with health insurance plan almost al­ across the partition, trips to wa.sh- be interrupted by motherhood them there is almost always the ways provides coverage for both room to pretty up, and time on the meant that 1 could plan ahead in subconscious acceptance of the himself and his wife. Homosexual phone to their other boyfriends, a way that most of the girls around husband as the chief provider, the marriages not being recognized by most of the kids manage to put me were neither willing nor able senior worker if you like. We don’t such plans, however, each one of a away about 45 minutes a day. to do.” have that. I’d say we feel equal res­ lesbian couple knows that at any “For obvious reasons, I don’t do Alison enjoys her job. She is am­ ponsibility towards this aspect of time sickness or accident could con­ my romancing in the office and my bitious and works hard at it, taking our relationship—50% each com­ vert her into the senior or even sole girl and I don’t use the telephone advantage of opportunities for pared to perhaps 25-30% with a provider. that way.” out that in both cases the disad­ sexual.” Nevertheless, it is sad but true Maxie also finds that she has little vantages came from being single This comment produced our common interest with her fellow that in some such organizations rather than homosexual. Against final words on the subject from promotions go more readily to the employees in other fruitful areas them are the instances where ad­ Bobs, a square, no-nonsense in­ of chit-chat, such as clothes and “good mixers” and we are there­ vantages derive specifically from dividual who was present at the fore at a disadvantage. cosmetics, and here again she is being homosexual and not just above conversation. Homosexuality, notching up work-hours ahead of It is in areas where social ac­ from being single. 'contended Bobs, has absolutely no ceptance is genuinely an integral them (It should by now be appar­ For instance, Ingrid . . . “As a relevance to Irene’s or anyone ent that she works in a distinctly part of the job function that the social worker I come in contact else’s job performance. “Irene is a worse disadvantages occur. For in­ under-supervised office, and her with quite a number of people who good teacher because she is a gotxJ stance, Jan, a public relations of­ case cannot therefore be described belong to a minority group— of race, teacher. If she’s got that tact and as typical. Nevertheless, there must ficer, is required to maintain close religion, and so on— and whose prob­ sensitivity bit, she’ll be good with be many others like her.) personal contact with opinion lems are sometimes rooted in this kids whatever else she is. I’m a It is only right to point out the leaders, news-media representatives fact. Then there are those whose filing clerk and I don’t file one bit bad with the good. Maxie’s lack of and so on in the community where way of life is not acceptable to the better or worse because I’m gay, do interests in common with her fel­ she works. This function extends of majority such as people with prob­ I? I file is all.” low employees takes us into the necessity into out-of-office hours lems of alcoholism, vagrancy, and Undeniably, Bobs has a point. area—perhaps the only one— in and as a single woman, convention­ so on. 1 have no doubt that my own There are countless jobs being filled which homosexuality can be said ally speaking, Jane does not fit membership of a minority group by countless lesbians in which their to be a disadvantage in terms of job easily into the social circles in whose way of life is not acceptable homosexuality docs nothing to performance. Although in Maxie’s which her would-be contacts move. to the majority helps me greatly in help them perform better—or own case this is not so. “There’s Neither she nor Ray, her partner, understanding the difficulties of worse, which is equally important. nothing in the Job manual that have extravagant social ambitions It would be ridiculous to attempt says I have to be everybody’s in any case. But this is just one many people with whom I work. Knowing that, as a schoolteacher, to make a case in favor of homo­ buddy,” she comments. “I guess sphere of Jane’s job and recogniz­ her position is p>erhaps particularly sexuals where no grounds for such the other kids think I’m a bit prim ing the limitation, she more than precarious, Irene takes much the exist. compensates by excelling in other or something, but they quit bug­ same positive view. Faced quite However, since in this instance ging me after a while and we get spheres. frequently with cases of adoles­ wc were committed to seeking out along okay.” In the same category is the ex­ cent crushes on students of the instances where homosexuality But in big companies which perience of Beth. An insurance same sex, she has no doubt that does have some bearing on job per­ place a high premium on S.Q.— saleswoman who tried to realize her ability to handle such situa­ formance, wc tested Bobs’ com­ sociability quotient— and which a long-held ambition of living in tions tactfully and sensitively has mendable detachment a little fur­ organize frequent social functions the country, Beth found that, as a developed from her own adolescent ther. “Think,” we said. “Is there among their employees, it is some­ newcomer and without the prime experience when lack of these any facet of your personality—one times difficult for a homosexual requisite of married (or at least qualities on the part of teaching related to the fact that you’re gay to create the good relations with trying) status, she was quite un­ staff resulted in a near nervous __that does anything to make you other staff members which man­ able to gain entry into the tight breakdown in her final year. do your job differently from the agement requires. Most of us who social circles of the small rural city “I’m not saying they made me girls around you?” (Which was the have worked for these more-than- she had chosen. And in such com­ homosexual,” she comments, “but question we had asked throughout a-job-it’s-a-way-of-life concerns munities of course it is the accepted they certainly sent me out into the these conversations.) have had to become pretty adept practice to do business with one’s world angry and defiant of rules “Sure,” she said. “I don’t at sliding out of parties and dances friends. Beth, although her product and regulations. I don’t want any stretch my eyeballs out of shape to which one is supposed to bring was in fact superior to some of of my kids to go out that way. I like leering at Sylvester. He s hand­ a male escort. And, surely, our those being sold by long-established them— that’s why I’m in this career some, you know.” working relationships do not truly representatives in the community, and 1 believe I’m suited for it, even “Seriously,” we said. suffer all that much merely be­ made no sales and is now back in She thought. “Well, I’ll tell you. it it’s true that most of the parents cause we haven’t frugged on the the city. would have me removed in a flash If a typewriter jams or a bit of same dance floor as the district At the risk of being accused of if they discovered I was homo­ electric wiring comes adrift or manager. splitting hairs, it should be pointed there’s a big bunch of files to carry Jo Harper is the pseudonym of a budget equal to mine, exactly to the Service syndrome. I think they all watch penny.” She stopped and began pinching the wrong TV shows or something. She someplace, the other kids sit around an English-born Canadian who her ear in a familiar gesture. “It doesn't has maneuvered me into some frightful polishing their nails for an hour left school at 16 to acquire an edu­ seem possible that she should know my messes down through the years, though till A Man is sent up to fix things. cation. Now in her mid-JO’s, she is budget but it is so. And if she presents my in all fairness I must admit that she has Whereas 1 . . still working on it, and meantime budget with sufficient programs to sup­ pulled me out of quite a few, too. She flexed her muscles meaning­ makes her living writing— both as port it, 1 must know what they are. It's "Now wait a minute..." too late to go—how do you say—under­ “Hush,” she said, flicking a finger to­ fully. We got the message. Even a fulltime job and as a freelance ground . . . ” ward the bedroom, “All you do now is Bobs, rose-is-a-rose realist, a filing- hobby— about what she has learned “Not underground, Alicia, rounda­ dress so we won’t be late! Go." clerk-is-all, had something to add so far. "The Lesbian at Work” bout.” I went. to our theory that gay girls some­ marks her first appearance as Jo “Anyway, 1 must speak with a Program While I was dressing, she made more Officer directly before the meeting. The coffee, more bright comments, and my times do their more than adequate Harper, though not her first in the Officer directly, Robie, not directly be­ bed. She can be useful if she chooses, but bit to help the working word go LADDER; she has also contributed fore the meeting.” Under her breath, she it is a bad sign. And she gave me no op­ round. on several occasions to its British hissed, “Sometimes 1 hate English!” portunity to ask more questions. counterpart ARENA THREE. 1 grinned at her, then asked, “What's "The hair up, Robie,” she bubbled, 1 so hard about that?" “and gloves, the suede ones!” short story by Junerwanda “All information is classified until the At this point, 1 rebelled. open meeting, Robie, and you know it." "Now look, pet, if this is going to be an­ I grinned at her again. “Then how did other one of your wide-eyed ‘how-did-we- Radar! you get your information?” ever-get-here games, I’m not going one Alicia almost blushed. step beyond that door.” “Don't be impertinent. 1 have my ways, “No, Robie, no, it will be all right." but today I must speak to the right per­ She became positive. “Unleash the Bertha I tried covering my head, first with the drank my first cup, I thought of the plea­ son. Today, Robie.” so we can leave. We will discuss it on the blanket, then with the pillow, but the sant friendship we had shared for ten years “Alicia, it doesn't sound so hard as all way." ringing continued. When I was up and or so. She is a delight to the eyes and to that. Why don't you just ask? And where I looked at my watch as 1 fastened the almost to the door, I finally remembered the ears. Our only trouble—which we dis­ do 1 come in, anyway?" door. It was 6:30 a.m. Bertha, the mass I had promised Alicia something this cussed long ago—is that she simply isn't Alicia doesn't smoke, but she lit a of metal 1 fondly call my car, didn’t like morning. But at 5:30? lesbian material. cigarette for me and passed it over. Then the early hour she was being forced to “All right, all right.” 1 snapped as I “There are two of them coming, instead she began to cough and I knew she was move, but she finally gave way and started. fumUed with the lock. of one," she said as she slipped into a nervous. After she stopped coughing, she And the fog was still so heavy that even It was Alicia, of course, dressed like a nearby chair. “1 am not quite certain with glanced at me and then back to her empty the sound of Bertha’s impressive exhaust dream and looking as though sleep were which one I must speak, but I shall meet cup. was muffled. something she never even considered. She both. The meeting is set for tomorrow.” “This is where you come in,” she finally “All right," I said ten minutes later. slipped through the door and past me 4 ‘Two of what?” I asked blankly. said. “I don't know which of the women “You said we would talk on the way to like a forgotten birthday. “People, Robie, two people from Wash­ arriving today will be in charge of the the airport. I'm listening." “Good morning, Robie,” she said ington. Annual budget time, remember? budget programming. I had to maneuver "With all this noise?” brightly as she went toward the kitchen. Don't be exasperating.” to be able to pick them up at the airport, The woman can be maddening some­ "Coffee?” I drank some more coffee. Behind the and 1 could not ask also which one was times. 1 sulked the rest of the way. When “Alicia, look at the time! If you're lovely facade was a very capable woman, which, but my . . .uh. that is, information we reached the parking area and squeezed looking for lost marbles, the market won't a Finance Officer for a U.S. educational has reached me that one of them is like into a slot, 1 put the keys in my purse open until later. . . much later.” and health service. 1 had watched her you." She glanced at me, then added, and leaned back. “Oh, Robie, stop grumbling. You know worry through budget time year after year, “Speaking with them together, 1 could not “Now we shall have breakfast, Robie," you promised to go to the airport with me and I knew enough to realize that depart­ gain my information, as you can under­ her voice was lilting. “You must be this morning. I’m a thoughtful person, so mental kings might be born, but there stand, so 1 must speak with them one at a hungry, paisana." I decided to come by, rather than waiting might also be a few peasants around after time. That is all.” “No, Alicia, 1 am not hungry. 1 don t at the house until you picked me up." She the meetings were over. So much for the “Sorry, lovely one, but I fell off about want breakfast. This is where 1 stay, right was making busy sounds in the kitchen. Allianza! paragraph three. So 1 have a eompadre in here in the car. 1 refuse to move until I "You also thought I’d forget, didn’t When she remained silent, I said, “Well, departmental circles. So what has this to know the price of the chips in this little game you're playing today. Start talking. you?” there are two instead of one—first you talk do with me? Alicia laughed. “Well, there was that to one and then to the other—what's the "Oh, Robie, don't be exasperating! Get I meant it and she knew it. thought, also.” fuss?” dressed now and we shall go. The grey "It is really very simple. All you do is “But you said 7:30. I remember dis­ “You Americans and your simplifica­ suit, Robie—and 1 think very high heels? turn on your charm and whisk away tinctly . . . ” tions!” Alicia shook her head in dispair. I was suddenly wide-awake, Alicia s whichever of these women is a lesbian. “Good for you to get up early. Besides, ‘This is the fuss, Robie. It came to my round-robin plans frequently have some That will give me time to ferret—is that it always takes you so long to wake up.” ears last evening that Alvarez from our very square corners when she starts play­ the right word?—the information 1 need Alicia makes good coffee, and as I small neighbor to the south is presenting ing games. 1 have found this a Foreign from the other.” She snapped her fingers chew gum while doing her nails. Well, me. “Do you work with Alicia here at and smiled and smiled and smiled and ,, . there. You know Lucha almost as well as back to the tweeds for me. Fun and games the Institute?" “Isn't that simple? Dicho y hecho." I do.” were out for the day—and intellect was “No, we're simply friends." “Well, could you do me a favor and “Alicia." I whispered, “You are out of “Fine. You have time. Do anything. Go the order! your mind. Even if 1 knew which one—and As 1 watched them negotiate Customs then forget it?" to the beach to see the waves, go to Old I thought this over for a minute. This I don't— I simply can't waltz up and tweak Town for history, you might even go to (the blond with one of the Homburgs in was sure my day for favors. "Well, 1 can her ear and ask her to come to the Casbah church. 1 only need an hour or so, and helpful rein while the tweedy one plowed with me. I'll have no part of it." I leaned we must leave the airport two by two." her own furrow), 1 reflected. Miss Tweed, only try." across and opened her door, "ril see you She opened the car door and got out. And aside from her interest in her work, would ‘Thank you. I thought you might.” The smile appeared again. “I have to take a later, back at the apartment." I gave up. fall flat in conversation except when dis­ chance on you. I’m behind on my briefs .She shut the door—without getting out. As we walked through the thinning fog cussing some selected quirk of knowledge for tomorrow’s meeting, and some extra of course. into the building, Alicia was chattering. such as land snails at 14,000 feet or the time today would be a break for me. Could “Robie. this is why we started early," “I am going to the beach house. I will love life of wrens. (On second thought, you manage it somehow, the time now, she said seriously. “You arc my friend, say that 1 have to pick up some papers she probably wouldn’t consider even that and a place for me to work with a type­ and 1 need your help. These women have or something. You know the number and kind of love life.) She would insist on the information that I must have, but you paying the cabfare (expense account, you writer?" you must call in an hour or so. We will “The easiest ever," I replied. The know they will not speak in front of one break this up very quickly and still be know), check the luncheon tab item by wheels were spinning properly again. By another as it is classified material. You diplomatic about it.” item, and have at least two losing rounds the time we reached my apartment and I know all this." She paused, looking at me. Diplomatic, 1 thought. Huh! Then I be­ with the language. I found myself looking had Toni settled with my typewriter, “I am not asking that you rush her back gan to function properly. for the inevitable glasses on the inevitable to the apartment before your bed is cool. paper, carbon, and the rest, I managed "Where have you registered them?" I narrow black ribbon. to suggest casually that I might be of All you have to do is show her the town, dasked. Things moved. With her customary show her the tourista sights, be charming, dexterity, Alicia introduced us, coffeed further help, "Hotel Crillon." She patted my shoul­ "If you are still working from notes on intrigue her, and, above all, keep her der. “See. Robie, you are awake now." us, and paired us off before I had a chance those briefs, I can take your dictation occupied so she will not wonder. This is to speak with her again. 1 caught her for a She was quite satisfied with herself. She straight onto the typewriter. I might be not in fun, Robie. If I do not have my flashed me a beautific smile and darted second and started to ask a question, but answers prepared by morning, they will into the crowd in front of the Customs before I could finish, she pulled me back quicker and easier for you.” It worked. Ten o'clock came and went be hawking my skull in the plaza.” entrance. to the others. "And they should," 1 nodded. "1 think and so did eleven o'clock. I was up to I hate airports. Arrivals and departures, "Yes, Robie, be certain to call and my ears in statistics about educational you invented the word 'intrigue'. . ." milling crowds, smoke, standing in line we'll all have lunch together." Snake in "Besides, you ..." programs, and 1 was getting thoroughly waiting for someone to appear. Every the grass. Now 1 was stuck. weary of the incidence of ringworm in "Listen, Alicia, just two questions: why airport is the same, too—luggage snapping Eve (the blond, naturally) and Alicia do you think they will allow them.selves to three- to ten-year-olds before we hit any open and shut in Customs, too much noise; climbed into a taxi, and Toni (Miss information which was Alicia s immediate be separated and Just what makes you two or three men in Homburgs, red of Tweed) stood uncertainly by my side. I think your pigeon will give you your concern. And she was right. Or, rather, face because they have to stand in line; a forced a smile and went after the car. We her source of information was right. Her information? If it's all that classified, it few sabbatical types, pale and frowning; had also been stuck with the luggage. won't be ..." budget proposal had been lifted almost distraught North American mothers sort­ Traffic was heavy, and 1 had little op­ word for word. Even her introduction had “Leave it to me. Robie, I have my ing out their children and their keys; a few portunity to study my companion. She ways.” been used. (I know—I wrote it for herd Chinese, looking as though they had mis­ certainly was quiet. 1 finally decided to be The only defense offered was an antici­ I nodded again, miserably. sed the parade somewhere; a couple of as honest as 1 dared. “Besides, Robie, you told me that you pated—and padded—inflation of the beauty queens from Little Boro, Stokes “Look,” I said, “I'm sorry for all the country’s currency. Alicia now had her in­ can always recognize a compadre any­ County, USA; several camera types al­ confusion, but if there is anything of in­ where. any place within your—what you formation. Painlessly. ready wearing boots and budding beards; terest in the city that you might like to see. Mentally discarding my cloak and call your radar range." a tweedy type with sensible shoes clutch­ I'll be very glad to show you about." 1 “Wait a minute, Alicia, that was years dagger, I rushed Miss Tweed through the ing her briefcase; and—I looked again at tried my most congenial smile. “Or per­ rest of her briefs as quickly as possible. I ago, when my radar was young, and so her companion. Blond! A true Nordic haps you would like to go to your hotel was 1—very, very young—when I was look­ did a good job, though. It was the least I blond, with no dark hair roots, tall and first?” could do to repay her for the information. ing for something. So, do you understand cool. She also looked expensive. She smiled at me in returiv—a very nice what I'm saying?" When we were finished, I reached for the “1 think those are my pigeons," said smile—and Bertha veered toward an un­ telephone. 1 was determined that Alicia “You said that it was always with you. Alicia, pulling at my elbow. She pulled suspecting fruit cart, narrowly missing a And you are looking for something, in a was going to pick up her girl, her informa­ harder and finally snapped her fingers. street car on the way. By the time Bertha tion, and be off. (We had been so busy manner of speaking." she folded her “Come out of it, Robie, and don’t talk was under control again, the smile was hands in her lap and looked at me. “Robie, that I still didn't know whether or not to me about your radar. I see it is working. gone. Toni was gay—and 1 really didn't try to you understand that I need you. You I can tell your bird from here, and I don’t “Maybe you could stop for a minute, find out.) simply pick out the right one and your even have radar." She was triumphant. she asked in a shaky voice. tactics are your own." There was a loud noise at the door and And, I thought sadly, she is probably “Sorry about the traffic,” 1 said as I it flew open. And there she stood, all five I tried once more. —no, undoubtedly—right. That tall blond pulled over, “One does become accustomed “Alicia, I simply can't. You know I feet of her—Lucha! I had completely for­ goddess would have worked her way to it, though.” gotten about meeting her. She looked at have to meet Lacha at 11:30. And you through three husbands, would have two “It isn’t that,” she said. She looked at also know that I had damned well be children discreetly farmed out, and would not permit you to take out insurance pay­ me and her eyes were green—not hazel, security then; and it can be done. (Junerwanda writes that she is of Early planning for retirement is im­ able to a non-related person. More about but green! InJiiinlFrench ancestry, and that she con­ portant for everyone, but doubly so for this later in the article. A talk with an in­ I glanced ha.stily around, and the situa­ siders Nevada her home base, though she the gay couple. The law gives certain pro­ surance agent often will bring a solution tion was questionable. Toni was on her to this difficulty. If both of you work, now resides in California. She received tection, automatically, to married couples your employers’ life insurance is usually hands and knees retrieving papers from her A.B. from University o f Nevada in and their children. Social Security of the sufficient. Annuity insurance is another the sorted piles on the floor. I had not 1948, and then spent the next few years husband pays additional sums to the wife yet picked up the telephone. The scene wandering south o f the border, with lime story—more about that later, was handled in Lucha's own classic style. after she reaches sixty-five, and pays a For a couple living outside of the large spent in Mexico, Central and South pension to the widow and minor children She joined Toni on the floor and helped cities, buying a house is an excellent in­ America, and an extended period in Lima, in case of the husband’s death. Many her gather her papers. She couldn’t have vestment. Being a homeowner has many Peru. She has worked for the government pension plans protect the widow, and she advantages; such as better acceptance in been sweeter—to Toni. Then they tripped in Peru, run a bar in a Nevada mining has other sources of income, such as vet­ off to the kitchen to make more coffee. the community, a better credit rating, town, and she has sung with the Miami eran’s benefits, union benefits and so on. I snatched the telephone again and got more privacy. Real estate values are in­ Opera Guild. At the end o f her working Also, most couples have children, and in Alicia on the line. creasing in most communities and there days she held a slate office in Sacramento, later years, especially if one parent dies, “Listen," I snapped, "I have your in­ are certain tax advantages. It is vitally and she is now retired. Primarily a poet such children are a form of financial se­ formation, so come and pick up your (author o f MINT LEA VES and WHA T important that in buying your home you pigeon. My castle is crumbling—I forgot curity. make iron-clad provisions in case of DREAMS MAY COME) "Radar" is her None of these safeguards apply to the to meet Lucha." first story with a Lesbian theme. She in­ death of one partner. Obviously the home And so you know what she said’.’ gay couple. You are on your own. You should be in both names, but it also sists that she writes for her own pleasure. may, or may not, be able to get help from "l.ater, my pet. Right now. Eve is In addition to her writing, she collects should include a "survivor takes all" reading to me, some lovely poetry by your own family, but if one dies, the other clause which will insure that the surviving records and books, antique combs and one will almost never be able to turn to someone named Sappho." And she hung rocks of alt sizes, shapes and colors. She partner is sole owner of the house, pre­ up. the deceased one's family for aid. Even if venting relatives from coming in and tak­ offers as incidental information that the you bring up a child or two, these chil­ That is why Bertha and I are sitting collecting of rocks is a naturally acquired ing over. It is best to have the services of here on the beach alone, and I am counting dren might feel responsible towards their an attorney when buying real estate. In­ hobby since there is "a petrified forest on mother in later years, but they will only little grains of sand. Radar? the Island o f Lesbos." cidentally, the fairy tale that unmarried rarely feel responsibility for the other women cannot get mortgages is just that. partner, especially after their mother s While an occasional bank may not be by Julie Lee death. willing to give a mortgage to one or two On the other hand, gay couples have single women, most will if you have a rea­ some advantages out of these very same sonably gqod employment history and ... Economics of the Gay Marriage disadvantages. Because in most cases no make a fair salary. Of course, the mort­ children are involved, both partners usu­ gage should be in both names, as well as ally work full time. Also the tremendous the house, to avoid legal difficulties in You met and fell in love: you decided people, unfortunately, the difference be­ expense of bringing up and educating case of death. . . to live together. Now, after a few years of tween planning or not planning often children is eliminated, making it easier A joint savings account is next in im­ happiness, you are sure that you have means the difference between a happy pro­ to save and invest money for the future. portance. Financial experts advise that found the one with whom to spend the ductive and active life after sixty, or a There are many ways to plan financial­ you have about one year’s living expenses rest of your life. You are in the "and they later life harassed by worries about se­ ly for the later years. A combination of in a regular savings account before mak­ lived happily ever after" stage. While this curity and even one’s daily bread. Looking several is usually the best. First, and fwe- ing other investments. At today’s prices may be true in fiction, real life isn’t quite forward to enjoying the later years, travel­ most, should be adequate insurance. De­ this is a lot of money. Possibly a little less that easy. There are the daily problems of ling. indulging a hobby, collecting and do­ pending upon one's emioyer for insur­ might be acceptable. However, ideal y adjustment to each other and to the en­ ing what you always wanted to do but had ance is not the best policy. Life, health, there should be enough money readily vironment. and there is, although fre­ no timfr—all this depends upon how care­ hospitalization and major medical insur­ available to carry you over an acute fi­ quently neglected, the necessity for plan­ fully you planned for these events in your ance should be secured as early as possi­ nancial crisis, such as loss of a job. At to­ ning ahead. Not just plans for this year twenties, thirties and forties. ble, preferrably in the twenties. At that day’s interest rates, savings accounts keep and the next, but plans for twenty, thirty Looking ahead has always been im­ age almost everyone is insurable and pace with inflation plus a little additional. and more years in the future; specifically, portant; it is now more so than ever. Med­ premiums are very low. By the time you Most savings banks are insured and rep­ plans for the years after retirement. Apart ical advances have made it likely that you reach your forties, or later, there rn^ay be resent a fairly safe investment. There is from the obvious economic advantage, will live many years past the usual retire­ some minor physical defect which will usually no difficulty in getting an account planning far ahead has other benefits: the ment age of sixty or sixty-five, possibly make it difficult to get insurance; also in two names “payable to the survivor, couple making economic provisions for well into your seventies, eighties or even premiums shoot up steeply at that age. even if two people are not related. their life together far into the future is longer, and you probably will be active, Medical insurance is especially impor­ As you get into your thirties and for­ much less likely to break the relationship physically and mentally, for many of these tant, because one serious illness can wipe ties, planned savings are a necessity. It is over a minor disagreement, such steps years. At the same time, retirement age is out in weeks what you have accumulated not enough to promise yourself to put might help to bridge major crises in their constantly being lowered, so that your carefully for years. Life insurance is im­ "X” numbers of dollars into your savings life together. chances for being gainfully employed af­ portant only if one of you does not work. account every week or month. Very few Planning for retirement in one’s twen­ ter sixty are getting smaller all the time. It Here you may encounter some problems, people have the discipline to do this. Us- ties or thirties seems ridiculous to most is up to you now to insure your financial because some insurance companies will ually each week finds you with another lationships, and much unhappiness, even regularly. Expenses should get the first crease in income. Doing a good job in excuse not to deposit money "just this hardship, can come from neglecting this look. How much do you spend on exces­ one's profession or vocation also helps. once:" or worse yet, things keep coming unpleasant duty. sive luxuries? That $2,000 furniture may New fields are constantly opening up, up and you draw money out. There are As mentioned before, there may be dif­ be the envy of your friends today; thirty where extensive formal schooling is not hundreds of ways to sign up for a "com­ ficulties in taking out life insurance pay­ years from now it will be worn, probably essential, where training is available pulsory" savings plan. Many mutual able to a life companion where a legal out of date, and of no practical value. (such as computer programming), and funds have such plans, some of them con­ marriage does not exist. For this, and $2,000 in a savings account will grow to where good opportunities exist for wom­ sisting of a combination of mutual fund other reasons, it is extremely wise for gay around $8,000 in thirty years at present en. Also, making an adequate living purchases and annuity insurance. These couples to form a business partnership if interest rates, if nothing is withdrawn. might require having to relocate. Men plans, usually described as “balanced," at all possible. Of course, if one is the This is not a fortune, but certainly bet­ do this all the time, and there is no rea­ have the advantage that the mutual fund owner of a business already, it should go ter than nothing. The same goes for ex­ son why women cannot do the same. follows market fluctuations while the an­ without saying that the other one should cessive smoking, drinking, entertaining, If a couple starts planning together for nuity guarantees a fixed sum at maturity, be included as a partner, even if she does clothing, jewelry—the list is endles.s. I their later years in their twenties or thir­ protecting the investor from unexpected not actively participate. In all other cases specify “excessive.” No one wants to stop ties, if they save a reasonable amount each economic downturns. Most mutual funds it may be wise to start some type of busi­ living today to be able to live thirty years month and make careful arrangements to are well run and represent as safe an in­ ness; possibly part-time and on a very from now, but there are reasonable limits. insure that the property “stays in the fam­ vestment as is possible in today's market. small scale. There are many businesses “Living it up" is fine today, but its results ily,” then, barring a national or interna­ Playing the suwk market is a very risky that can be run from the home with a may be disastrous in later years. tional disaster, they will be able to look thing unless you are an expert on stocks comparatively small investment. If you If, in spite of reasonable expenses, you forward to retirement-and-after with tran­ and bonds or can get personal expert ad­ are in a profession, it might be advantag­ find that you cannot save money, a hard quility and happy expectations. vice at a reasonable price. The average eous to form a small “consulting" firm. look at your job is in order. There are {Julie Lee is in her late 40's and lives with stockbroker working for an investment There are many ways in which a business limitless possibilities for making a decent her friend o f nearly 20 years’ duration in firm is not usually a reliable advisor, be­ partnership can be formed and the ad­ salary today in many areas. Additional suburban New Jersey. The daughter of an ing in busine.ss to make money for his vantages are great. In the first place, a training may be needed, even if it means internationally known scientist, she has firm first, and for you second. Today's business partner is in many ways com­ borrowing money. A high school diploma degrees in mathematics and in physics, market is for the very rich or the very ad­ parable to a legal mate. One partner can is an absolute necessity for any woman and worked as a research physicist for venturous. If you value your hard-earned take out life insurance payable to the oth­ who expects to make her own living. Such many years. Some time ago she gave up money, stay out and settle for a mutual er. As a partnership, federal income tax a diploma can be obtained through night- her profession, partly in protest over the fund. "Hot tips" are almost always "hot" returns can be handled jointly as far as school courses, often free of charge. Two unfair treatment and unequal financial in the worst sense of the word. Certainly, business earnings are concerned. There years of college or other advanced train­ compensation of women in science. She is people, even amateurs, have made huge are many legal deductions that can be ing can mean a considerable increase in active in civil rights organizations, vari­ sums in the market. But it is a gamble made when running a business. Finally, salary. A college degree is a great help. ous professional societies and racing car with the odds greatly against you. Invest­ after retirement from the job, a part- A graduate degree, even for a woman, clubs. She and her friend have recently ing a fixed amount monthly for twenty, time business can be expanded into full­ almost guarantees a five figure salary. started a wholesale-retail business on a twenty-five or thirty years will give you a time activity; or even as part-time it can Just changing jobs often brings an in­ part-time basis.) considerable sum of money, and a fine add dollars to your income. Many suc­ supplement to your social security and cessful gay couples credit a portion of pension benefits, if any. their happy personal relationship to their Once you have started to accumulate business partnership. money and other assets, it is of extreme These are some of the ways in which THE LESBIAN importance to insure that these assets, you can insure your personal security and will go to your lover in case of death. Un­ happiness after age sixty-five. Money you IN LITERATURE less all your assets are in joint tenancy— saved together over the years, plus your such as your home, your savings account, social security payments and any pen­ a bibliography possibly some bonds—it is essential to sion benefits that you may get from your make a good will. This may present some employer, should make it possible for you By Gene Damon and Lee .Stuart difficulties, such as finding a gay lawyer, to truly enjoy your later years and should or one who is sympathetic to your way of enable you to do a lot of things you al­ AN ALPHABET ICAL LLSTING BY AUTHOR ^ life; DOB might be of help to you here. If ways wanted to do. IN THE ENGLLSH LANGUAGE, IN THE GENERAL HELD LITER­ you do not make proper provision to pro­ "Very well" you may say, "but who tect your beloved in case of death, chances can save money? We spend every cent we ATURE, CONCERNED WITH LESBIANIS.M, are that the assets you have built together earn.” This is more serious than you LESBIAN CHARACTERS will go to hostile relatives and that your might think, and a careful look at your partner will be left without anything. No­ expenses and income seems indicated. body likes to think of death, but hiding Ideally, ten percent of income should DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC $2 plus 25c handling charge. one's head does not solve the problem. It go for savings. If both partners work full 1(X)5 Market Street, San Francisco. Calif. 94103 is better to make a will today than to wait time, this should not be difficult. If only until tomorrow; you owe it to your love. one works, this figure is high. However in There is no legal protection for gay re­ any case, some money should be put aside fists dug into her shoulders’ by Messa FOUR POEMS ridge, head back, cosmic force fissuring the rock SUMMER SYMBIOSIS NO. 1 with the small dome of godhead she pushed from her thighs? Mind empty, sense a shape of fire trying Startled by a cry the crevices 1 wake. The tide has risen. our bodies on the beach A gull skims by. rumpled warm I open parched nest where we burrow bird- lips to refute soft buttocks swell brute beds of joy, ripe as hot plums wicker- vision plopped rewarded by feel the original your small breasts your tight mouth of our navel's belly mounded soft rim grow wide with smiles to my nuzzled stem yielded, the sun’s nose and the welling tug smooth, lipped crater split, glad welling thrust of my tongue. with juice, rose-bubble that boils over into streams of blazing garnet, ruby, running molten running

like lava in my brain: stained- glass light against thin flesh-close blinds — hushed gallery where your Aztec face uplifted slowly turns to me its dazzle of alpine flowers, sky-glazed eyes like mirrors in a copper mask of bone.. . .

and is it the glint of quartz, sand-robe you wear that makes me see the image of that squatting stone goddess you posed for me— n o t e s in a u g u s t SUMMER SYMBIOSIS NO. 2 Gone to the Sunshine Come away from that sad place Coast my joy child where they finger each other’s walks thrush wings privacy decorous, eyes bright, nervous as bed-wetted trim feet precisely measuring guilt, feeling themselves up the height of rock her song for the night fix, My stomach gnaws and come lie beside itself my thin me— face-up in the wimpled arms waver flap with the off­ sand, sun-laved— shore wind my mouth our winter Today is hot fills with the waters bodies white as gulls again. The postal of the Gulf. immaculate strike drags on. I think as nuns delivered of Gone yesterday! how we communicate Only five days more, my fingers brain- in sunshine, cry, their nails close- needing no sheets, no moon­ fevered messiahs, black habits hung bitten. light envelope for speech over bleached roots and I I lay on her any way inaudible. soft breast and listened. I think abandoned... > All the dark years then wake how midday takes I waited for you the rhythm of us from old said the voice over swaying dreams petrified as driftwood; and over beat like bee-heavy flowers resistless, by beat. rise with me buoyant rocked with each quiver My bird my sturdy of mingled pollen. on the languor of love our bed is dry waves, brine singing grown anonymous in our ears and eyes How shall I feed with eager leaves while slowly our perimeter of till your return? since the night sky we tenanted Bruised blue petunias lowers its breast of radiance— storm the wild thicket j on my skin, of the Endowment anemones of feathered Lands. of purple juice squashed raspberry and claret light spills the superior of last week’s fading bird presence over feast: us lone banquet I make an immense joy taking our thighs of our correspondence and the sweet till you come home. cry of welcome ing,” Laura said. short story by Margaret Elliott “I came to see you.” “You said that. Is something up? “Nothing in particular.” “How’s Harry?” Way Station "I’ve left him.” “Jeanie. Is it for good?” Jean didn’t look at Laura. “1 think so. Jean came at last to the lane that led to “Why?” A note of almost anguish in Laura s Laura’s house. Because of the fog and be­ cause the lane was long and because some voice made Jean look up. Lauras eyes half-bare trees got in the way, she could were troubled. not see if there were any lights at the win­ “1 just couldn’t stand it any more. Laura sighed. “I’m sorry. Honey. I’d dows But then, standing for a while and peering at the place where the house was, so hoped it would work for you.” Jean didn’t answer or volunteer any she could make out dimly a spot of yellow light. She stood there several minutes. more information. The walking had warmed her but stand­ “What was wrong?” Laura said. Jean thought of Harry shouting, Harry ing motionless, the chill came back. Her laughing, Harry touching her in the skin and clothes were damp. Jean lit a night. He was demanding and dependent cigarette and paced back and forth at the and, because of that, cruel. She thought head of the lane until she had finished it. of the way he’d cornered, questioned, Then she went down the lane, letting her taunted her. feet carry her forward through the mud, “We couldn’t get along,’ she said at side-stepping now and then to avoid holes SUMMER SONG of water. And she came to Laura’s door. length. There was a smell of woodsmoke about “Was he bad to you?” Where have you gone wayfaring Jean heard the concern in Lauras the house. Knocking hurt her cold knuck­ voice. It struck a harsh note in her and summer girl? les but she knocked and knocked again made her speak a little sharply. “You and the door opened and Laura stood and needn’t worry about it. It was not your I’ve gone to pick you looked at her. Laura was a little thinner than Jean remembered her, more like a pebbles, berries, ^^l.aura looked puzzled. “1 didn’t think dark colt than before, with a colts dark it was. Honey.” Silence. “And so you ve alpine flowers eyes. Laura stepped back without a word left him.” ^ .. for your mind. and Jean came in. They sat and watched the fire together. I’ve gone to gather “Hello,” Laura said. “Does he know where you are?” "I came to see you.” As if Harry posed any threat to Laura. green-sheathed nuts “I’m glad you came.” But Laura s face for winter ripeness. Harry would cling to what pride he had looked blank. Then she made a quick left. He would never come here. “No. I've gone bright smile. “Well, take off your coat “Where did you tell him you were go­ to hide and sit down.” She threw out her hand to­ ward the couch in front of the fireplace. ing?” the secret sources “1 didn’t tell him. “I’ll put another log on the fire. I’ve been of your clouds “He’ll know.” having my first fire of the year but I ve let In the old days, yes, anyone would have so they won’t find us. it nearly go out.” She went to the wood known. But not now. “I have other basket and lifted out a log and laid it friends now, you know. I could have gone When will we go together across the andirons. u r ia Jean sat on the edge of the couch fold­ anywhere.” long haired love? “Yes, I guess so.” . ■ j -r^ ing her coat across her lap. She watched "I just can’t stand to be chained, o Laura work with the fire until the flames Harry or anybody.” When summer like a pregnant fowl leaped around the fresh log. Then Laura “I should know that.” Laura concen­ bears down upon the orchard; came and sat down beside her, turned to­ trated on her cigarette. “I don’t want to ward her so that their knees brushed to­ when limbs of golden apricots chain you any more.” gether. They both jerked at the touch. yield to the earth in languor; “You couldn’t.” And then, anxiously, “I’m a little jumpy,” Laura said. Have “I don’t mean that to sound like I don t when ruby liquor bursts the plums you got a cigarette, Love?” Jean took the still care about you.” Jean shifted against with sweetness; pack out of the pocket of ^er coat and the cushions of the couch. when I have made put it down between them. Each of them “I know. It’s okay.” lit a cigarette. "I’ve gone back to smok­ our vaulted nest where none can find us. Jean expected Laura to reach out and told him that wasn't necessarily true!" was not overly tidy—about the way she'd Baby?” Laura was smiling, the bright pat her shoulder or her leg—it was the "But he knew you didn't have any expected it to be. A jacket was thrown nervousness gone. She looked relaxed kind of minor comfort Laura had always of knowing." over a chair. The table held a jumble of and contented. been capable of—but she realized some­ "How would he know?” books and magazines. An easel stood in "Sorry.” Jean sat up. ".See. I told you thing had changed in Laura to hold her "1 told him.” the corner. I was tired." back. "Oh, Jean." Laura drew back. “Tve been painting.” Laura's voice Laura was already dressed for bed. "Well, anyway, if you need a place to “Well, why shouldn't I tell him? e had pride in it. Jean went into the bathroom to undress. stay for a while, you're welcome here. We wanted to know all about it. He ha .1 “You never painted when we were to­ She felt awkward about closing the door may not live in style but we'll live. And right to, after all. How many men wr J gether." —as though she were deliberately show­ we do have the fireplace." have married a woman with a past e Laura shook her head. “I didn’t need ing Laura that there were still some doors The log was well-charred now along mine? Not many. 1 know because I’d b, n to.” She laughed. “I didn’t have any frus­ closed between them. When she came out, the bottom, cracking into rectangular looking a long time before I found hi ' trations to work out.” Laura was in bed lying on her back on the chunks with red showing beneath them. Laura moved away a little on the cor. 1. “Well, I'm glad to see you doing some­ far side of the mattress. Jean had the feel­ ing that Laura had been watching the Laura had come through with the invita­ She swung the glass in her hand and m,. 'e thing with your art. You were always a tion. Harry would be home in the cold little unhappy about not working with it." door and had turned quickly away when the ice cubes clink. “I hadn't kno n she'd opened it. “I'd better sleep on the house—probably not having lighted even that," she said. “Still, I’d almost rather see you than be couch,” Jean said. one of the heaters. "It's warm here," Jean Jean saw the hurt in Laura’s eyes, !t an artist.” said. Jean looked at their clasped hands. The hurt look again. "You don’t have was a familiar look. Jean felt like an ag(.“i Laura got up and poked at the fire until Hers was beginning to sweat. to be afraid of me if you want to sleep in of destruction. "I didn't mean to hu,: here. You’ll be more comfortable.” some of the black chunks cracked away you." “Look, Laura,” she said, “I don't want and left the hot golden-red exposed. “I'd to lead you on or anything. If I'm back, it “No, I better not.” like a drink," she said. "You want one?" Laura turned and faced her squarelt still doesn't change how I feel about our Laura turned over with her back to the "Please.” “I'm all right." Her voice was tense with relationship. That's still not the kind of room, facing the wall. “Well, okay," she a kind of forced bravado. “You see. I've Laura went into the kitchen. Jean had life I want to lead now. And I still love said. changed some since you left. You can t gone without even leaving Harry his sup­ Harry." Then Jean went to her and sat on the hurt me any more, really. I'm beyond all per. He wouldn't know enough to fix it “Because he took you out of my bed beside her and put her hand out and that. I'm living the way I want to live himself. He would probably just eat clutches." touched Laura’s hair. She stroked the Sure, I’m lonely sometimes; but I really something out of a can the way he had be­ Jean took her hand away. “Not just be­ hair. Laura didn't move or look at her. am doing a lot of things I need to do." fore she married him. He had not led such cause of that. The only reason 1 left him Then she let her hand rest on Laura's a bad life then, really. He had been so She smiled. “You see, you were not the was because he wouldn't let me forget neck, fingers curved lightly about the only one chained." happy all the time—so different from about it. Maybe that was something he throat. “Laura," she began, but it came Jean reached out and put her hand on Laura. He had been open and outgoing couldn't help.” out choked and she cleared her throat. with nearly everybody. Looking back, Laura s thigh. They sat there for a mo­ Laura went to the fire and poked it “Laura, I'm sorry." she couldn't remember when he'd first ment in silence. Then Jean spoke. “1 some more. “So what are you going to do Laura lay perfectly still. started withdrawing from people. didn t come here to blame you or make now?” “I shouldn’t have come back here.” Laura came back with the drinks. Jean you defend yourself. 1 came because 1 “I don’t know. Look for a job, I guess. “No, it’s all right." took a sip of hers and looked directly at didn't have anywhere else to go. I'm just I really don't know. She put her coat over Jean waited for a moment. She patted asking for a place to stay, that's all. I’ll Laura's neck once. “No, 1 shouldn't I Laura. “You know what was the matter pay you." the arm of the couch. “I really don't even between Harry and me'’” want to think about it right now. Tonight should have left you alone. I have no busi­ "What?" Laura put her hand over Jean's. “You all 1 want to do is go to bed." ness encouraging you when I guess I'm won t need to." And she grasped Jean’s just using you.” "He couldn’t forget about you. Us." hand tightly. Laura, still busy with the fire, spoke Laura frowned. “But he knew about us softly with her back turned. “Okay, Hon­ Laura lay silent. when he married you. I thought he said, "You know," she said, ‘Tve often ey." Jean heard the tenderness in Laura's “I do this to people, don't I? 1 just hurt 'It's not what you were but what you are thought you’d be back. I don't know voice. "I just put clean sheets on the bed people. You know why I left? Because I that counts.' " whether I really believed it or not but I today. And that old blue gown you left is wasn't good for you just like I'm not good "Well, he couldn’t forget it. I think he wasn't really too surprised when I opened clean if you need something to sleep in.' for Harry. You're better without me." got to believing that everybody knew the door and you were there. It’s good to Jean got up and went into the bedroom. Now Laura turned toward her. "No." see you.” She smiled at Jean. what he d married. He got so he wouldn't The bed was turned back neatly. She She sighed. “You left because you were go out any more. He never let me forget Jean didn’t smile back. She tried to but looked through drawers until she found tired of hiding. Because you wanted to be it." it didn t work somehow. She hadn't ever the gown. But suddenly she seemed too socially acceptable and you couldn’t be “Honey, I’m sorry," planned to come back. It was a little gall­ tired to put it on. She sat on the edge of with me.” ing that Laura was so sure of her after all Jean held Laura's eyes with hers, “That the bed drained of energy. She lay back Jean waited a minute wanting to make that had happened. The last time she’d doesn’t make it better, though. You have and closed her eyes. She must have some gesture of tenderness but holding seen Laura, Laura had not been able to no idea what torture that man went dozed because she didn't know Laura had back, sensing the dependence in Laura. through. I think he really believed that keep from crying when they talked. Jean come in until she felt the hand on her That was a burden she couldn't assume had tried to cut her off without a lot of tale about 'once a girl's had it from anoth­ shoulder. When she opened her eyes, again. She couldn't bear the chains. Final­ sentimentality but Laura had cried any­ ly she spoke. er woman . . .' So he thought he could way. Laura was sitting beside her looking into never be enough for me.” her face. “I’m sorry." Laura looked surprised. “But even I What have you been doing with your­ "You going to hog the whole bed. Laura's arm went around Jean's waist self?” Jean looked around the room. It and she hid her face against Jean's leg. whelming political and social pressure. from NACHO. While he realized the She was not crying; she was just holding Perhaps the homophile organizations need on tightly, tightly. difficulties encountered in unifying the to hire a professional organizer to pull the national movement, he felt that organ­ They did not move for a while. Then diffuse feelings of the homophile com­ ization is terribly important. Jean shifted and Laura let her arms fall munity and their friends together into a “Gay is good, yes,” Rev. Cromey re­ away. Jean got up quietly. Standing by larger community that will be unified and iterated and added that until such time the bed, she pulled the covers over effective. as the Church realizes this, the gay com­ Laura's shoulders. Then she went out of Rev. Cromey expressed his disappoint­ munity should withhold all contributions the room and closed the door. The embers ment that the Council on Religion and from their local parishes—except, of in the fireplace still glowed dimly behind the Homosexual, Daughters of Bilitis, course, those parishes like St. Aiden’s, the wire screen. Jean curled up on the Society for Individual Rights, and Tavern Glide, the North Beach Mission, etc. couch and pulled her coat over her feet. Guild of San Francisco had withdrawn

Margaret Elliott is an East Texan from An Annual Review by Gene Damon the piney woods. At the age o f twenty- four she has retired from school teaching to write. She is a lover o f people and ani­ mals, and she lives with her three cats in Central Texas. She reads tarot, rides horses, and publishes poetry from time to Lesbian Literature 1968— time.

Report by Del Martin For several years I have reported how I hear many complaints about “not increasingly difficult it is to draw a line enough attention" being paid to homo­ between mainstream and homosexual sexuals and Lesbians, but this is not really literature. Ironically, the stalitics this true in literature. When you consider that Gay Is Good— So What? year support this in a reverse manner. there are always at least twice as many There are very few books published in the male homosexual titles each year, you can paperback original field that fail to deal see that in literature we are not nearly so The Rev. Mr. Robert W. Cromey, vicar 1. Mere passing of resolutions to put with Lesbianism to some extent. Obviously, statistically disadvantaged as we are in of St. Aiden's Episcopal Church in San on the appearance of being united and in almost all of the cases, the inclusion is almost every other sphere. We obviously Francisco and one of the founding fathers strong has proved itself to be meaningless. entirely erotic and intended for the male provide writers with everything from con­ of the Council on Religion and the Homo­ A majority vote does not reflect concen­ reading audience. Therefore, this year, venient scapegoats to the interesting pos­ sexual, challenged the American homo-' sus. Consequently, between annual meet­ the paperback statistics include only those sibilities of dealing with the socially dis­ phile movement in a banquet speech en­ ings of NACHO nothing happens. books which actually substantially deal advantaged. titled, “Gay Is Good—So What?", which 2. For too many, the homophile organ­ with Lesbians. Regretfully, even with this Some years there seems to be a predomi­ he delivered before an audience of 135 izations and NACHO represent an ego proviso, there are few titles in the paper­ nant theme or trend, and 1968 was the persons attending the annual meeting of trip. “We can’t move ahead because we back original field worth reading at all. year of the individual and collective CRH on January 13th at Glide Memorial bullshit each other and pretend to like As of November 15, 1968, I had re­ biography . . . Many vital studies of con­ Methodist Church. each other." There is little attempt to corded 80 new titles from around that temporary and prior literary and theatre “The homosexual community," he de­ understand each other, to open up real same time in 1967. Of these, 41 are hard­ and generally artistic groups were pub­ clared, “must stop responding to outside communication lines, to unite in a com­ backs and 39 are paperbacks. In addition lished. stimuli and become a movement of action mon cause. to these titles, that may fairly be statisti­ THE DIARY OF ANAIS NIN V.2 instead of reaction. Homosexuals may 3. “I f ‘gay isgood' is to mean anything, cally included, there are a few books that 1934-1939, Denver, Alan Swallow and find new ways of living new life styles, if we have to deal with each other at the gut are of sufficient special interest to readers N.Y., Harcourt, Brace and World, 1967, as a community they become involved, if level." Setting up encounter groups would of the Lesbiana column that they warrant though not as valuable as the first volume, they face their own feelings and emotions," be helpful in getting rid of the anger and being mentioned again—especially for the contains the first appearance of Djuna he said. "They must learn to deal with hostility and pain that exists—and which benefit of new readers. Barnes in Anais Nin's life. anger, aggression and paranoia. Other­ prevents the homophile community from For those of you keeping comparative Philippe Jullian’s biography, PRINCE wise their power, their potential as human being the real force in society which it statistics, this seems to be a leveling off OF AESTHETES: COUNT ROBERT beings, will be frittered away." should be. period. There are around 1900 hardback DE MONTESQUIOU, N.Y., Viking, As Chairman of the North American 4. Homosexuals need to learn to deal fiction titles (new books) published in the 1968 (published in 1967 in London by Conference of Homophile Organizations corporately. Otherwise they will continue United States each year. There were 34 Seeker and Warburg as ROBERT DE for the past two years, the Rev. Mr. to go from crisis to crisis as ineffective hardback Lesbian titles in 1964, 40 in MONTESQUIOU: A PRINCE OF Cromey has had considerable experience reactors. The homophile community 1965, 32 in 1966,46 in 1967, and now, this THE NINETIES), covers, in addition to with the way in which the various homo­ needs to learn how to organize to exert last year, there were 4L Not all of these, his flamboyant subject’s life, an enor­ phile organizations and their leaders pressure to bring about change. Real of course, are fiction, though the vast mously diverse group of Lesbians, mainly view each other and deal with each other. change occurs only when the establish­ majority of books covered in this column American, living in Paris and taking part He made these observations: ment is forced to change because of over- through the years have been fiction titles. in the literary and artistic circles there from 1885— 1910. A good deal of personal only minor in interest and is not included Gods, Iris Murdoch, whose THE TIME in the statistics. However, there is a great toward complete acceptance and no information about twenty of the ladies is OF THE ANGELS, actually belongs in knocks at all. The best of these is the included, which makes the book a must deal about McAlmon’s marriage to last year’s record having first come out in Lesbian novelist, Bryher, and Bryher’s hilariously funny (with sober moment) for the serious collector. 1966, from Viking Press (reprinted by ESPERIE, by Frederic Bradlee, Boston, LADIES BOUNTIFUL, by W. G. affair with Hilda Doolittle (poet H. D.). Avon, 1967). I admit to having failed to So we have seven biographical titles, Houghton-Mifflin, 1967, A light novel Rogers, N.Y., Harcourt, Brace and World, read it as rapidly as 1 should have—but about a boarding house full of loveable five of them reflected in the statistics. The 1968, uses as theme and gathering point content myself with the knowledge that eccentrics, including an easily identified those women who financially and other­ remaining 36 hardback titles cover many those who like her don’t miss a title, and middle-aged Lesbian couple. There arc wise aided various gretit artists, writers, areas, but are almost all fiction titles. The those who don't can't be dragged to her almost nothing but stereotypes in Becky etc., back in the days when college and subjective quality of Lesbian fiction is kicking and screaming. Crocker's funny, nutty novel, MR. LADY- university grants weren't available. Again, lower than it has been for several years. Madeleine Rilcu's A SPOT BIGGER BUG, Los Angeles, Sherbournc Press, a large number of these patrons were Only a handful of these books have general THAN GOD, London, Gollancz, 1967, is 1968. Set on an island near New York Lesbians, and Mr. Rogers is very gener­ and wide appeal, particularly for those of about a pair of girls who claim loudly to City and really, that’s enough informa­ ously frank. The portrait section in this you who do not read outside of this field be heterosexual, but who enjoy playing a tion right there. Olivia Davis’s THE book alone makes it worth the cost of the at all. In the following brief annotations, private and public game of “let's pretend LA.ST OFTHE GREEKS, Boston, Hough- book. I have tried to make clear which ones we are Lesbians." Odd, in the literal ton-Mifllin, 1968, though supposedly a Maurice Collis's SOMERVILLE AND belong on all shelves and which go only sense of the word. more serious novel, again features the ROSS. London, Faber and Faber, 1968, to the “compleat collector." THE MIDDLING, by A. L. Barker, "quick look at the nice pair”—light touch has been extensively covered in THE The best novel of the year, subjectively, London, The Hogarth Press, 1968, is a in a chatty noisy novel. The last, and the LADDER. It is enough to say simply that and one of the three or four better written, very special book. Though it deals with only one of the five that is .sober and a it concerns a famous and lifelong Lesbian is the English entry, A JINGLE JANGLE the same years as those visited in the earlier little sad, rather than funny, is THE pair, who also wrote minor Irish litera­ SONG, by Mariana Villa-Gilbert, London, mentioned, WINTER DAY IN A GLASS­ MARCHIONESS, by James Broom ture. They arc considerably better known Chatto and Windus, 1968. While it has an HOUSE, this is set outside of school, and Lynne, London, Macdonald, 1968. An today for the former fact than for the unconventional and possibly unlikely seems refreshing for the change. This ill-matched pair, one who thinks she latter. ending, it is the closest thing we've had in covers four epistxles in the life of one Elbe wants to be a mother, and one who loses WOMEN IN BATLLE, by John Laffin. years to a white-hot and very convincing Toms, from age nine to her middle teens. ground as she pleads her case. London and N.Y., Abelard-Schuman, romance. Very good, and very highly re­ One of the four episodes is overtly Les­ And the usual group of novels featur­ 1967, 1968, is a fun and games reference commended to everyone. bian. However, the first episode is a won­ ing characters dragged in by their sex book on female soldiers, sailors, marines, Happily, the very high quality of the derful picture of the sort of little girl who lives—window dressing, and a few with and a few miscellaneous crusaders. About humor and fantasy in the kaleidoscopic is almost certainly going to grow up to be just minor bits of tex) little importance to half were Lesbians or bisexuals. Mr. novel, HORACE SIPPOG AND THE a Lesbian. For everyone, really. bother chasing them down any farther Laffin does not disguise the fact (except SIREN'S SONG, by Su Walton, N.Y., , Edmund P. Murray's novel, THE PAS­ than your nearest library (which, in the in a couple of odd cases) but he writes as Morrow, 1968, makes it the runner-up. SION PLAYERS, N.Y., Crown, 1968. case of the English publication only titles, if only active members of the Girl Scouts This features a very fey family with un­ is an excellent novel, and as such highly isn't going to be near enough). So, here will have access to his book. usual powers over all, male and female. recommended. The Lesbians, however, are are 1968’s very minor bits, and “only the Without possible exception, the most It is rampantly Lesbian, but with a very not those that generally appeal to this scx-lifc” ones: A SI.MPLF. STORY, by glorious of the lot is the scrupulously light touch. Not deliberate comedy, almost reading audience (from what you say in David Higham, London, Eyre and Spottis- edited, carefully arranged, magnificently defies sticking into a previously formed the mail) so you have been warned. Mr. woodc, 1966 (minor); THE GHOSTS, by indexed and lovingly written biography, category. For many this will be more Murray, however, is talking about a special Kathryn Perutz, London, Heinemann, LYTTON STRACHEY: A CRITICAL popular than the far more serious and world, a world of cheap travelling shows, 1965, 1966 (very minor); THE DAUGH­ BIOGRAPHY, by Michael Holroyd, much sadder, A JINGLE JANGLE and he tells it like it is (or at least you’ll TERS OF LONGING, by Froma Sand, published in two volumes, London, Heine- SONG. believe it is so). Los Angeles, Sherbourne Press, 1968 (sex mann, 1967 and N.Y., Harcourt, Brace WINTER DAY IN A GLASSHOUSE, A curious book, ONE OF THE CHIL­ and silly); MELINDA, by Gaia Servadio, and World. 1968. The emphasis in this by Sally Griffiths, London, Hutchinson, DREN IS CRYING, t>y Coleman Dow­ N.Y., Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1968 book is almost entirely male as befits a 1968, is hampered by being a more or ell, N.Y., Random House, 1968. It is (gaaahl); and finally two which will be book dealing with the life of a male homo­ less undistinguished novel about board­ seriously approached and quite well done, widely read for their entertainment value, sexual. However, there are sufficient ing schools. This one is hung on the pre­ but there is a cautiousness to the prose THE .MOVIEMAKER, by Herbert references to the Lesbian members of the mise of a girl having either been murdered that detracts from the novel. Something Kastle, N.Y., Bernard Geis, 1968 and Bloomsbury Group (of which Lytton was or having deliberately jumped through a is wrong with pace, and the reader’s at­ VENUS EXAMINED, by Robert Kyle. a charter member) to warrant inclusion plate glass window. The mystery is too tention flags. This deals with an unhappy N.Y. Bernard (ieis, 1968, Fawcett C'rest, here though not in the statistical count. easy to unravel and the characters, family (a very very unhappy family, 1969. These last are nice professional The history of the author of OLIVIA is though meticulously drawn, are dull and without one single even half-way happy efforts by highly professional pulp men given in full. She was Dorothy Strachey boring. It is very pertinent, on several member). The Lesbian is not dealt with . . . but they are all sexy fun and games Bussy, Lytton’s sister, and the account levels and the author does have talent. If sufficiently to determine how accurate his and not to be taken very seriously. includes the real-life counterparts of the you like the genre, this has the necessary views are. Recommended with reserva­ Far too often there are titles that are three protagonists of OLIVIA. message. I may have lived too long to go tions, but watch for the next time around. simply too minor subjectively to rank very BEING GENIUSES TOGETHER, on enjoying the endless parade of school­ There were several novels featuring the highly, yet so very well written that they by Robert McAlmon and Kay Boyle, days and schoolgirls. “stereotype" couple, but none of them must be praised as literature. CAUGHT Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1968, is And a lesser entry, but from one of the at all unkindly. The trend seems to be IN THAT MUSIC, by .Seymour Epstein. point. One very nice Lesbian cast member sence of some 1966 and 1967 copyrights N.Y., Viking, 1967, Pocket Books, 1968, __who fortunately fades out of the picture OTHER STORIES, San Diego, Green- captures pre-World War 11 days in one leaf Classics, 1968 (a paperback collec­ among these 1968 books. The purpose, with her hide intact. THE EXPEDITION, always, is simply to bring as many books section of New York City. The hero has a by Stanley Wolpert, Boston, Little, Brown, tion). chapter long encounter with the daughter Of the five stories covered here, and the to as many people, hoping they'll enjoy 1968, is another howler featuring a Les­ the meeting. But these books actually of his boss. The daughter is a Lesbian. bian who throws a verbal pass at a girl one thrown in with the mystery titles, only Good, very very well-handled. 3 are in the hardcover statistics, the other have a far more important significance who chooses to freeze to death rather than than many of you may have consciously THE BAG, by Sol Yurick, N.Y., Simon submit to “a fate worse than death" . . . 3 having been either magazine stories or in and Schuster, 1968, is rather unpleasant paperback original collections. realized, when you consider that almost do tell! all Lesbians deliberately hide their orien­ (though probably quite true). Very well Mystery-spy fans will very much enjoy This year's only poetry entry is techni­ written, again only if you can take it like cally a high quality paperback original, tation (and the higher up they get on the Gina Day's TELL NO TALES, London, social pole, the professional arena, etc., the it is." Hart-Davis, 1967, N.Y., Stein and Day, but since more and more poetry is being A special favorite of mine, 1 AM MARY published in this sort of format, which is better they hide) these books are often 1968. This is very major Lesbian, features the ONLY exposure the literate hetero­ DUNNE, by Brian Moore, N.Y., Viking, a James Bond type female operative. A as well (or better) designed than many 1968, is a good look at a “pill" as heroine. hardbacks and is intended and bound for sexual has to our world. It is this that satire, but with teeth. Bloody fun. makes them important to us when they No, 1 am not fond of pills, but there is a Also for mystery buffs, Anthony GiU permanent collections, I have included good Lesbian character in a supporting Helen Rosenthal's fine, PEACE IS AN are accurate and damaging when they bert's short story, “Point Of No Return, role . . . fairly substantial, and libraries UNKNOWN CONTINENT, Vancouver, are not. Elsewhere in this issue there is in ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY a review by Jeannette H. Foster of C. P. will have this, it got good reviews. MAGAZINE, May, 1968. This is subtle, Canada, Talonbooks, 1968. Major, overt, Minor Lesbian bits only inTHE YOKE exciting and highly recommended. Snow's THE SLEEP OF REASON. This special, excellent. And a more routine title will be part of next year's statistical AND THE STAR, by Tana de Gamez, entry, Anthony Lejeune's THE DARK There isn't much to talk about in paper­ Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill, 1966, Bel­ back originals this year. James Colton report. When you consider the damage TRADE, Garden City, N.Y.. Doubleday, possible from this book, which is widely mont Books, 1968—but Miss de Gamez is 1966, reprinted as DEATH OF A PORNO- included a brief but believable portrait a fine writer, always overlooked by the of a “beligerant" type in his male homo­ reviewed and is a “Book Of The Month GRAPHER, Lancer Books, 1967. Club" choice, you begin to long for the establishment, but good, and this novel Short story fans this year get few to sexual title, KNOWN HOMOSEXUAL, is an exciting recreation of the Cuban Brandon House, 1968. day when it will be impossible to get a choose from, but some good ones included. book published that denigrates this trouble and revolution. Robert Bloch's, “A Toy For Juliette,” in So we are left with an odd year just past. A very very minor study is included in The best books far and away the bio­ minority, just as you cannot publish to­ DANGEROUS VISIONS, Garden City, day IN THE REPUTABLE TRADE Mariana Villa-Gilbert's earlier novel, N.Y., Doubleday, 1967, is memorable graphical entries, with perhaps 8 or so MRS. CANTELLO, London, Chatto & PRESS any book which speaks ill of any only because it portrays Amelia Earhart fiction titles including half-a-dozen cited Windus, 1966—discovered as a result of racial or religious minority. as a Lesbian. E. F. Cherrytree's “Hello musts. One good poetry entry (the only reading her works after finding the earlier entry in this field—any volunteers among And ending on a good note—in the Out There," in EVERGREEN REVIEW, August, 1968 issue of THE LADDER. I cited, A JINGLE JANGLE SONG. December, 1967, is an exercise in self- you for checking the many many collec­ This novel is not nearly so good, but this tions of poetry that come out each year?); reviewed John Updike's novel, COUPLES, indulgent pornography for a male audience. N.Y., Knopf, 1968. It is simply not suf­ writer is to watch closely, with two per­ “The Marriage Makers," by Monia Wil­ and two good short stories. tinent titles out of four novels, and one As is always true, those titles missed in ficiently Lesbian in content to include in liams, in COSMOPOLITAN MAGA­ any records—but it was a widely read and very major. ZINE, February, 1968, is tailored to its this report, discovered or received too late And three who tried hard and missed, very successful book about the truth of obvious audience, but its a fairly m^or for inclusion in these statistics, will appear but get special notice for effort; IT S ALL personal relationships in this country study of Lesbianism, with a good and be­ in next year's listing. I include all titles ZOO, by Gerald A. Browne, Garden found within two years prior to the basic today. We need more of this, and hope­ lievable ending. City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1968; THE copyright date, which explains the pre- fully, we may get more. JACKLOVE AFFAIR, by Peter Menegas, The serious entry in the short story field N.Y., Coward-McCann, 1968, and, A is the excellent, “An Hour Of Last Things, CASE IN NULLITY, by Evelyn Berck- in AN HOUR OF LAST THINGS AND by Jeannette H. Foster, Ph.D. OTHER STORIES, by George P. Elliott, man. Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1968. Two Reviews Happily there are few titles in 1968's N.Y., Harper and Row, 1968. This is a collection that deserve real blasting. A major study by one of the really fine short QUIET PLACE TO WORK, by Harry story writers of today—not to be missed. Brown, N.Y., Knopf, 1967, 1968, is a very On the other hand, the usually very re­ AN IMPERSONATION OF during a diplomatic mission in Germany, well-written and very entertaining novel, liable Harlan Ellison slipped badly in ANGELS: was an intimate of the Kaiser's homo­ and it has been widely read. It is, though, his story, “A Path Through The Dark­ A biography o f Jean Cocteau sexual circle.) “Mme. Cocteau was the a vicious book not because it portrays ness," in LOVE AINT NOTHING BUT by Frederic Brown spine of Jean's life: she withstood his Lesbians badly and untruthifully, but be­ SEX MISSPELLED, N.Y., Simon and N.Y., yiking ¡968 paranoid onslaughts, she consoled him, Schuster, 1968. It's major enough, but it cause it makes a comparison between From first to last of his 412 generous­ she gave him an allowance, she enter­ their behavior and the behavior of the has unforgivable flaws. tained his friends, she provided him with James Colton, a quality writer who has sized pages. Brown stresses the fact that narrator and major protagonist that will Jean Cocteau was homosexual. His ex­ the order he needed in which to be dis­ raise the hair on your head. From the ter­ been too often in the paperback field and orderly. Her influence over him was such needs to be seen more in hardcovers, pro­ planations of this fact were: the boy lost rifying to the silly; THE EXQUISITE his gentle, ineffectual father at age eleven, that for many years after he left her" THING, by Joyce Maciver, N.Y., Put­ vided the story “Getting Rid of Mr. (which he finally did at age 40) “his own Grainger" in THE CORRUPTER AND and his mother is described as domineer­ nam, 1968, is a failure from every stand­ ing and possessive. (One of her brothers. residences were never more than pads. opium parlors, curiosity shops which he mg to he some other.” The succession of ritual antics at high speed,’ as though he rors,” seldom mentioned without such exchanged for one another, gladly aban­ these somewhat dubious ‘angels’ whom ‘played his LP records at 78 RPM, so adjectives as hideous, unspeakable, et doning them altogether to live in villas as he tried to impersonate occupy most of that even bassos sound like Donald Duck.’ cetera. Lewis Eliot, involved only through someone's pampered child.” And all this the book. One last facet of his emotional entangle­ loyalty to an old college friend who is although she herself was devout and at­ It is impossible to enumerate them ments must be noted: in early youth he uncle to one of the lesbians, conveys the tended Mass every morning. briefly, and unsafe to declare that all of loved and ’impersonated’ older men— details indirectly, largely through ac­ Another powerful factor in determin­ them were overtly homosexual (e,g. Mendes, Apollinaire, Gide. Then in his counts of legal interviews and a long, ing Jean's life pattern was his adolescent Picasso and the Catholic Mauriac) though thirties and later he became infatuated minutely recorded trial. Briefly, the boy infatuation for the actor Edouard dc Max, in many cases Brown does so explicitly, with a succession of youths—Radiguet, was abducted, and over a perii^ of some a very beautiful and effeminate matinee Cocteau’s life was as full of important Desbordes, Marais,—with whom he suc­ days was beaten to 'teach him to behave,’ idol who was accompanied everywhere personages as Proust’s (the name index cessively lived for not too long periods. before ultimately being murdered by by a train of 'ephebes,' chief among them alone covers ten pages.) Probably the best (To be just, twice the beloved’s death heavy blows to the skull. for awhile being Cocteau. To one mas­ way of indicating its scope is to say that terminated the affair.) Thus, as one com­ The (London) Times' reviewer suggests querade he took the boy dressed in his Brown has used Cocteau’s own history mentator quoted by Brown says, he never as parallels the ‘Moor Murder,' (a boy and own stage costume for Heliogabolus, one as a kind of armature on which to hang had an equal as an intimate, and must girl similarly killed by a heterosexual of his favorite roles. From then on—if not lavish accounts of drama, poetry, music, have suffered all his life from a profound couple), and a New Zealand instance of before—Cocteau lived his whole life play­ art and ballet from the late eighteen- loneliness, which he sought to escape two schoolgirls murdering the mother of ing a part, never being his natural self. nineties to Cocteau’s death in October through new loves and more opium, a one of them. Readers on this side of the (There seems some doubt that he himself 1963 at the age of 74. true tragi-comedy, in his own style of Atlantic will doubtless be more strongly was ever sure just who he was; always As to the biography's significance for composition. reminded of the Loeb-Leopold case some childishly craving love and approval, a Lesbian audience: not more than once 25 years ago, in which two university men, always swinging schizophrenically be­ or twice does Brown thus label his femi­ THE SLEEP OF REASON a homosexual pair, killed a boy of four­ tween towering egotism and groveling self- nine subjects outright, though he men­ hy C. Pi Snow teen. The latter comes to mind particu­ abasement, and toward the end 'imperson­ tions dozens of prominent Lesbians. (He London, Macmillan, 1968 larly because of the close resemblance ating' his own earlier selves.) does not, for example, mention Catulle N. Y„ Scribner's, 1969 of Snow’s analysis of the two girls’ mo­ One early incident which was .so ‘trau­ Mendes’s long lesbian novel ‘MephLsto- It is unfortunate to make one's first tives and psychological states to Meyer. matic’ to his family that they contrived phela,' though Mendes is cited as one of acquaintance with Lord Snow through Levin’s COMPULSION, a btx)k-length to expunge all record of it was his first Cocteau’s first ‘angels’; she died in 1906). the tenth novel in a series—STRANGERS examination of Leopold and Loeb. escape from home—probably in his mid­ And yet the reader will recognize Polaire, AND BROTHERS—begun over thirty Snow’s title derives from Goya’s “The teens Just before meeting de Max. Being Liane de Pougy, Colette, Anna de Noail- years ago. As in all such sagas, a wealth of sleep of reason breeds monsters,” his ex­ expelled from his school—where though les, and many many later (e,g. Simone minor characters has been introduced and planation of the “horror of horrors” being brilliant he refused to apply himself—he de Beauvoir) women identified elsewhere a few appear briefly on stage in the present the transmutation of sadistic fantasy into disappeared completely for two months. as, at least, bisexual. That Cocteau him­ tale. Though they are always accounted real action. That this is directly due to the Detectives hired by his uncle finally self was not an inveterate woman-hater for by neat retrospective vignettes, one “monsters’ ’’ Lesbianism he neither states found him washing dishes in an Indo- is proved by statements that he ‘lost his would be puzzled as to which need retain­ nor directly implies. Rather, his impli­ Chinese dive in Marseilles. It was here, virginity’ in his teens to Mistanguette, the ing in memory here, save for the useful cation is that both the sadism and the his biographer believes, that he had his music-hall star, and had a brief and un­ precis on the book-jacket. Even without Lesbianism are concomitant results of first homosexual experiences and first important affair with a titled Russian the latter, however, a reader would be a spreading complex of factors, hereditary smoked opium. The latter habit also grew woman in middle life. aware at once that the whole series must and environmental. on him all his life despite half-hearted This review has intentionally concen­ follow an autobiographical pattern of the One of the girls is referred to as ‘butch’ submission to a couple of 'cures.' After trated on Cocteau’s emotional life and first-person narrator, Lewis Eliot. The by a minor police officer; the other re­ that, he had always, so to speak, one foot avoided discussion of his numerous liter­ precis states baldly that this novel reports veals herself as an hysterical and patho­ in the gutter, though his friends included ary works, which comprised poetry, the normal flow of his life, “abruptly . . . logical liar in the course of the trial. The artists(Picasso, Miro, Douanier, Rous.seau), drama, scenarios for both ballets and arrested by a horror.” That horror—the ‘butch’s’ uncle—Lewis Eliot’s college musicians (Eric Satie, Prokofiev), and motion pictures, and reviews (mostly sadistie murder of an eight-year-old boy by friend—was himself a homosexual, as well stage personalities (Diaghilev, Nijinsky, scathing). He was always—or strove to be a pair of Lesbians—is the sole concern of as a leader of youth-in-revolt, and a de­ Bakst, etc.) of high though not always — avante garde, beginning in adolescence any review for THE LADDER. votee of complete ethical freedom. His spotless repute. with symbolism, and moving through Of the novel's nearly 500 pages, about niece, after a most unhappy childhood, had Brown’s cryptic title is best clarified by cubism, dadaism, surrealism whether in half deal with matters but distantly re­ been a member of his group. The other a passage some quarter of the way through art or literature, (He was also, inciden­ lated to its main action. There is at the girl’s home environment was stormy, the book: "If Picasso's periods were tally, an artist of sorts,) In his latest plays outset a very modern campus-political both father and brother being acute para­ marked by his women, Cocteau’s corres­ and films—the latter, at least, relatively uproar over the dismissal of four univer­ noiacs, mother a virtual cipher. The ponded to his men. Women, by loving intelligible to American audiences—one sity students for heterosexual immorality; lesbian couple lived in this family’s house different aspects of him, allowed Picasso can trace his constant retreat from then the narrator’s narrow escape from in a two-room apartment not entirely to come into his own . . . Cocteau’s love reality. Brown says at one point that all loss of vision in one eye; also his relations self-contained, and were hated by the for other men involved capitulation of his creative efforts gave an impression of with wife, stepson, adored own son, and father and son more for their superior being, a forfeiture of self and manhood. being written half facetiously, extending his father, who death hovers and finally earning power than for their Lesbianism. As he himself recognized, it was never a a moment of experience to fill half a occurs near the end. The other half of the Of the many excursions into philosophy matter of wanting to possess, but of want- lifetime, his characters ‘performing blind. narrative deals with the “horror of hor­ in which Snow delights, one of the most that most readers of Lord Snow—and even timely (and all but ludicrous) is the psy­ round to face her. “Now with me it’s chiatric report of that part of the girls' only of the reviews—are likely to lay the tation. She knew then that one of her always been my sinuses. When I was martyrial climaxes was approaching. trial in which two distinguished specialists responsibility there. To you who are free just a kid, see, they told me I couldn't in their field draw, from identical evidence, of the Average Reader's prejudice, this Risking one's livelihood for one's go swimming with the other kids on reviewer's advice is; don't bother to read beliefs was in the professional league. diametrically opposed judgments, one for account of my sinuses ..." the Crown, the other for the defendants. the thing. Heart beating wildly, she sat making The full clinical saga of his sinuses obedient squiggles, waiting for the op­ The whole novel (which frankly is in Dr. Foster is a frequent contributor to took until Grizelda's stop. As she got parts rather dull) would not be worth so portunity. THE LADDER, and a long time member up, he said, “1 enjoyed that ever so. It came when Mr. Butterhorn re­ much attention but for three factors. One, o f DOB. She is now retired but had a very Helps to air your problems, hey?" Lord Snow's established literary reputa­ primanded her for a small slip-up of full and interesting academic career as a Which left her somewhat vague as to the day before. Grizelda bowed her tion; two, the reviewers' prai.se of the book; teacher o f college English, literature, and whether she had commenced her and third, its acutely unfortunate effect head for the axe and said humbly, creative writing, and professor o f library martyrdom successfully or otherwise. “Perhaps, Mr. Butterhorn, you would on the Lesbian 'image.' For the two girls' science at Drexel Institute Library School At mid-morning Grizelda became relationship is presented as virtually ideal. prefer to dispense with my services in Philadelphia, and at Columbia and mildly involved in the basement with entirely. I am, you see, a lesbian." Already in their late twenties and early Emory Universities. She served as science Creakshift—rather more mildly than thirties, they have lived together for years Mr. Butterhorn tapped his Kiwanis librarian at Antioch College, as head Creakshift, the supplies officer, wished, paperweight with his forefinger, a thing and consider themselves inseparable life librarian at Hollins College, and as librar­ judging by his heavy breathing. He was partners. They operate on pooled finances, he always did when reaching decisions. ian to the President's Advisory Committee like that with all blondes. He deserved, owning car, country cottage, and apart­ Then he said, “Miss Framlingham, my on Education, Washington, D.C. She also Grizelda judged, to be informed. Also, wife and I have always prided ourselves ment furnishings in common. The more served as head catalogue librarian at the she had not told anyone for two hours masculine of the two states repeatedly that upon our, ah. emancipated attitudes. Kinsey Institute and as reference librarian now, and a martyr's schedule should We are giving a small cocktail party she lives only for the other girl, and the at the University o f Kansas City, Missouri move faster than that. latter (who has had an unfortunate ex­ tomorrow. 1 know Maude would con­ (now University o f Missouri at .Kansas So, deftly evading one of his more sider it a great ca—a great honor if we perience with a man) is as devoted as her City). Her book, SEX VARIANT WO­ athletic maneuvers, Grizelda said, “Mr. somewhat scattered personality permits. could count a self-professed homo­ MEN IN LITERATURE, ¡956, is still Creakshift, you shouldn't do that. sexual among our guests. Hrrmph?" Also their emotional relations are stated the essential source in any study of the I'm a Lesbian.” to be overtly complete and wholly satis­ Grizelda did not answer immediately. Lesbian in literature. It stopped him only briefly. Then he Mr. Butterhorn, she knew, had been factory. licked his lips. “An 'if I was twenty What the whole business amounts to is about to say "catch." It had not pre­ years younger," he said eager-eyed, viously occurred to her that social that the girls' Lesbianism is not, per se, “sure an' I'd be one meself. See you pronounced in the least responsible for lionization might be one of the hazards around," of martyrdom. their 'monstrousness.' But it is to be feared And he winked and went and that “Please say yes." Mr. Butterhorn was not very satisfactory either. warmed to his theme. “Why, to date A fable in mauve by Jocelyn Hayward At lunch. Grizelda found herself we have had two negroes, an abor­ sharing a table with Mildred Gleeb tionist, an alcoholic, and a white slave who was large and floral and—one would trader at our little soirees this season. Stand Up And Be Counted. have said—easily shockable. A good 1 think it can fairly be said that we host aptitude test for the amateur martyr, the most successful parties in Riscdalc in fact. Grizelda took a deep breath, Heights." agreed that the tuna salad left some­ Grizelda found tongue. “And 1—I'm There was pale mauve rain falling she was ill-equipped for a more con­ thing to be desired, and added as not fired?” on the day Grizelda decided to tell the temporary load of any other shade. casually as she could, “Mildred, per­ “Tck-tck," said Mr. Butterhorn, world she was homosexual. Thus she decided to start her martyr­ haps you'd care to know that I’m homo­ wagging a very emancipated finger, Ever since she had read (probably in dom the easy way, with a total stranger. sexual." and with that she had to be content. The Ladder) that homosexuals, until She chose the man with the hairy Mildred Gleeb’s large, protuberant In the past, Grizelda had greatly they were willing to stand up and be muffler who sat beside her in the street­ eyes grew more so. She leaned—loomed feared discovery by her parents. This counted, were perpetuating their status car on the way to work. even—large across the tuna. Grizelda was surely the next martyr’s pyre upon as a misunderstood and maligned “Nice day," Grizelda opened. braced herself for the first blow. which she must leap. She leapt in the minority, Grizelda had been nerving "Cold," said the man in the hairy “My poor dear child!" Mildred's kitchen at six-fifteen. herself for this day. The radio said a muffler. hand descended upon hers like a damp "Mother,” she said. “Dad. I cannot volcano had gone off somewhere. What­ “But nice," she persisted. pancake. "My dear, what can I do to tell a lie—” She was by now acquiring ever it was, mauve rain would go "Quite nice." help? Of course—Rodney! You must let quite a polish to the thing—“your splendidly with martyrdom. Having achieved this limited measure me introduce you to my nephew Rod­ daughter is a homosexual.” And stared Grizelda was really no braver than of concord, Grizelda decided to press ney! He’s absolutely charming and I’m fixedly at the egg-timer, wondering the rest of us. She was what you might on. “Actually," she said, “I’m homo­ sure if you went out together a few how much packing time was custom­ call an assignment-accepter. One of sexual.” times everything would come right! My arily permitted following the never- her adolescent disappointments had “Is that right?" Hairy muffler had dear, you simply must. . .” darken-my-doors-again line. Grizelda been the discovery that there was no certainly been roused to something. At three o’clock Grizelda’s boss, had a lot of clothes. longer a white man's burden and that "Is that right?" he repeated, wriggling Mr. Butterhorn, called her in for dic­ Her mother burst into noisy tears over the mashed potatoes. “You mean," approached her. They had agressive “Just a minute." Meg partially off Grizelda's bewilderment. Shaking she sobbed, “I'll never be a grand­ shoulders and they had been looking withdrew her arm from Billie's waist. her head dazedly and to the accom­ mother? O Grizzle, how could you?" at girls' legs. Without doubt they were “Stand up and be counted as what?” paniment of Billie's unfervent invita­ Her father, detaching his wife from the kind who would feel personally in­ "As a homosexual, of course.” It tion to “drop around sometime—next the pan. said to her without rancor. “1 sulted by the very existence of a lesbian. occurred to her as she said it that the year if you're not too busy,” she went always told you, Ethel, we should have They approached with gleams in their subject had never been actually dis­ back out into the mauve rain and made given her an embroidery set, not a eyes. Grizelda readied for a martyred cussed by name between them although her way home. cowboy suit.. With revolvers yet. Very moment. over the years there had been innumer­ Six months later she met an assis­ phallic, that." “What's it like then?" said the shorter able actions that spoke very much tant librarian with devastating blue Upon which Grizelda's mother fainted one. “Hot stuff?" louder than words, not excluding the eyes, set up house with her in suburbia, completely away upon the mashed "Well actually," Grizelda replied, awkward evening when she had found lived happily ever after, and never had potatoes and Grizelda herself, staring "Tve only read the reviews. But 1 can herself alone in a car outside the ceme­ the slightest desire to stand up and be still at the egg-timer, seemed to have tell you that it's a gross misrepresenta­ tery with Meg who was at the time counted again. Nor has it rained mauve no further place in the action. tion of—" both loaded and lonely. rain since. After a terribly normal supper, Fraud,” said the taller one, and “You mean—” Billie deftly com­ Which just might—by a very wild Grizelda went up to her room to collect they walked away down the street be­ pleted the withdrawal of Meg's arm stretch of the imagination—be one of the a placard she had prepared against hind two girls with suggestive thighs. from her waist—“you've been going reasons why we are still a misunder­ this day. As she was leaving the house, Grizelda made one last attempt to around talking to people about ho— stood, maligned minority. her father called. “You aren't going stand up and be counted. Gratefully ho—about things like that?" Amateur writer ami professional im­ to write a book, are you? 1 mean, I abandoning her placard under a bush “Well, yes, as I said we have to—” don't know just how the bowling club in the park, she went up to a police­ migrant Jocelyn Hayward was born in “Maybe you have to,” Meg said. England, has in the intervening 36 would take it. I'm team captain this man just entering the park gates. “Speak for yourself, Grizelda. Why year, you know." “Officer," she said, head bowed in years taken out residence on three con­ all this stand-up-and-be-counted tinents, achieved little more than a well- Grizelda took a streetcar downtown, submission, "I am a homosexual. garble. I'm not even sure what we're getting off at the Roxy Theatre. The Would you like to arrest me?" thumbed passport, four languages and talking about.” And she opened her some large photo albums. Now living billboards outside clamored. “Women He regarded her gravely for a mo­ blue eyes wide. in Canada, she believes the travel bug in name only—they lived in the shadows ment. “Is your car parked close to a Now this, especially coming from has taken its last bite and intends to of the sexually damned . . ." The bridge, a railroad crossing or the crest someone who outside the cemetery theatre fronted on two streets. Grizelda of a hill?" he said. turn to other hobbies— writing and read­ had hardly personified innocence of ing, music and motoring, cals and chose the less busy of the two, un­ “No, I came down by streetcar. The the subject (so to speak) in hand, topped wrapped her placard and hoisted it point is, Tm a —" cooking, for a start. aloft. It said, “UNFAIR TO HOMO­ “Have you been defacing park prop­ SEXUALS—WE AREN'T LIKE erty or in any other way causing a THIS ' public nuisance to park users?" She walked up and down for awhile. “No, but the state's laws on homo­ Ï \ A few people stared at her. The placard sexuality are quite explicit ahd you was heavy; anticipating martyrial have a right to —" ' struggles, she had done it on stout “Run along," he said. “You're ob­ board. structing traffic." And when .she had Finally a uniformed usher came out. stepped out of the way of the woman THE LADDER NEEDS MONEY IF IT IS TO CONTINUE BEING He was big; when she took her next with the kiddy carriage, he had gone. PUBLISHED. step—refusal to go away as requested Grizelda now felt a need to consult There are many ways to help. Is your subscription up to date? and a sit-in on the sidewalk—he would with someone on the problems of stand­ have little trouble in picking up both ing up and being counted. Billie and Are you one of the few persons receiving this magazine free, be­ her and the placard. Meg, old friends, lived quite close to cause someone thought you would be interested. If so, isn't it “Come round the front," he said. the park. She walked through the “I won't go away," Grizelda replied mauve rain to their apartment. Billie, time you subscribed? And for those of you who can, and there staunchly. looking as butch as ever and with a are very few among you who cannot, send us some little extra, “I'm not askin' you to go away. I'm pipe between her teeth, opened the askin' you to come round the front. door. take some portion of the money you have and earn and give with Boss says you're better advertisin' than “Well, come along in. You look a it, in effect, your voice for our goals. the billboards. Only they can't see you bit distraught. What's your problem?" down the side street 'ere." “I have,” Grizelda said as Meg Please help us to continue providing this magazine to the Meekly she followed him round to came from the kitchen and put an arm world. the front. She wished he had told her around Billie's waist, “been trying to Make checks or money orders payable to THE LADDER and to go away; it would have been less of stand up and be counted, since this is an effort to hold the placard up sitting the only way we can end our status as send them to 1005 MARKET STREET, ROOM 208, SAN FRAN­ down. a misunderstood, maligned minority. CISCO, CALIFORNIA, 94103. After about ten minutes, two men I have therefore stood up in—" falling in love with one by mail and one gether, off and on. for a couple of years. by geography, but obviously something She is very intelligent, energetic, and also by Ruth M. McGuire, Ph.D. intrigued you. You are not singular in your has the well-known fiery, explosive tem­ neglect to spell-out the attraction. Most perament. This past year has not been so people who fall in love with an attribute, good and now we’re fighting more than or a characteristic, are hard put to it to loving. She is very involved with her document their reasons for ‘falling in love,’ family who live close by, and wants to As a matter of fact, when one is privileged spend more and more time with them to know all the facts, the results usually acting as the Peacemaker in their constant point to a deep and aching need of the quarrels and crises. She is a social worker- individual to he loved, and to love some­ in-training and thinks she can pour oil THE COUNSELLOR'S CORNER one. When one does not have a sustained on their troubled waters. Our fights are and on-going loving relationship with about her devoting so much time to them another person, it is not at all unusual for and so increasingly little to us. I have a one to instinctively attempt to meet this good civil service job and, let’s face it. am deep, inner need and spend ultimately almost totally supporting her. I work hard (THE COUNSELLORS CORNER man who lives near me that she is not the fruitless and depressing years suffering one and when I get home at night 1 want to column consistí of your letters on your one? This weighs heavily upon me. She disappointment after another at the hands stay put and enjoy some quiet and com­ problems with answers provided by Dr. is unhappy and she needs me and 1 would of a never-ending stream of rejecting forts of home. Now she is spending a lot McGuire. Letters .submitted for use in like to be able to help her in some fashion, of evening time and even week-ends with this column slundd not he over 1000 words not simply crush her. She knows of the ‘lovers.’ My grandmother used to say of personalities and inter-relationships that her Spanish young friends. I don’t know in length and should not be signed except existence of the woman afar. And she is still what she docs when I’m away at work all by some "code" name chosen by you. How­ hoping that she can win out with her ad­ ‘water seeks its own level’ but in modern parlance, an individual with painfully day. I’m afraid Tm going to lose her. She’s ever. all letters should he accompanied by vantage of being able to see me often and all I’ve got and I know she needs me. a cover note containing your correct name to spend some nights with me. My final unmet needs and emotional hungers is almost inevitably attracted to another with What shall 1 do? and address. SEND ALL LETTERS TO decision was made some weeks ago and I “Sad and Mad" GENE DAMON. EDITOR. THE LAD­ have not yet been able to tell the woman like, distressing emotional starvation. DER, and not to Dr. McGuire, since this near me about it. The time has not seemed 1 would suggest you think very very To “Sad and Mad” only delays them and might cause them right, but will it ever be right? deeply about all the reasons you think you Your dilemma is a very common one, to he lost. No personal replies can be “One Who Must Hurt” love the one who is “still far, far away.” especially with couples where there is a made by mail. Letters not suitable for use Perhaps one of the reasons is just that— considerable disparity in ages. Your prob­ lem is undoubtably complicated because in the column will be destroyed.) To “One Who Must Hurt" that she is still far, far away. In instances such as this one you describe, distance is a of the obvious added disparity of tempera­ Your letter states a problem that is of ments and cultural background. I would considerable magnitude not only in homo­ safeguard, more often than not, for it enables one to postpone the realities of guess that one of the main attractions at sexual affairs of the heart, but heterosexual first was her vivacity and spontaneity. as well. This is the condition of ‘falling in face-to-face relationships and to impress Dear Dr. McGuire: I have got myself or deny the possibilities of incompatibility, You may well have wanted this all for love,' ‘being in love,’ or ‘loving' someone yourself, and, not getting it, now must call into a situation where I must hurt someone. on slight or nonexistent provocation. One disillusionment and rejection. This is a terrible thing to do, but I can see it ‘fiery and explosive’ which infers strong knows and hears about people who are It is most unfortunate that you feel denigration. Latin families tend, cultur­ no way out. 1 had begun to fall in love constantly plunging into ‘love’ through your relationship with the woman close by with someone by mail. And then 1 met ally, to be very close-knit, and an edu­ the stimulus of a voice, a smile, a look, an must, as you state, end in your hurting her cated, professional member is respected another woman who lives near me and appearance, a reputation, or a product of . . . crushing her. She knows of the exist­ and looked up to for wisdom and the whom 1 can see frequently. Both women cerebration. Actors, artists, politicians— ence of the other woman and still is will­ ‘right answers.’ I assume you did not love me. Each really does in her own way. even astronauts and all manner of other ing to try to win you. Well then, she has have the experience of growing up in a And 1 love them both. For a while 1 was brave and courageous persons are instant accepted a calculated risk in thus direct­ like family oriented group, nor, are you not sure about my feelings; it is hard to love objects to those who admire and ing her efforts and you have not been accustomed to the emotional lability of compare two loves when one can be made revere the things they do. Repeat, the guilty of misrepresentation or duplicity Mediterranean cultures. What you inter­ known to me by letters only. And no things they do. Sometimes appearance.s, about your own feelings. Therefore, it pret as “constant quarreling and crises’ matter which one I chose, the other would mannerisms, and even great accomplish­ would seem that you need not feel so may well be simply their way of living— have to be hurt. And, if I chose the wrong ments have little relationship to the basic guilty about telling her that the major part communicating—^and one they thoroughly one, all three of us would eventually be character and personality of the individual of your affectional drives seem to be enjoy. 1 would be astonished if you could hurt. And so i prayed to know my own adored, or to what they really are. Geniuses directed elsewhere. Unless, of course, you fly in the face of history and alienate your heart and make the right decision. Now have been known to be virtually impos­ have some deep unconscious need to be friend from her family or the role she I have chosen. I love the woman who is sible to live with. self-punishing and feel such guilt. obviously enjoys with them. still far, far away, but who will join me i In view of the foregoing, your friend in a few months. This part of my problem You did not, of course, imply that your Dear Dr. McGuire: I am terribly in might find the contrast of her role with is solved. I know my heart beyond a two love objects were geniuses. But love with a very attractive Latin-type girl you threatening, i.e. her dependence on shadow of a doubt. neither did you mention what particular you financially, plus your disapproval But how do I go about telling the wo- qualities they have, or reasons you had, for ten years younger and we have lived to­ of her friendship with her peers. I am very likely to eventually find the right solutions. However, if you live in or near any size­ portance to every individual, and, explain­ afraid, too, that you are going to lose her. able community you might well find, in ing anatomy and techniques of successful But perhaps you can permit yourself some Perhaps I could be more helpful if 1 had a few more facts: 1 would like to know your local yellow pages, listings of Com­ genital functioning. With censorship now gratifications other than those she offers, munity Mental Health agencies, or small almost non-existent, your local library so that she isn't "all you've got" for this how long you and your friend have tried to achieve mutual gratification, what pre­ private groups, offering counselling and/or should have such books readily available is, in itself, a devastating responsibility referrals to therapists in private practice on its shelves. I am told a very recent ex­ and one few people can accept. It infers cisely is the current pattern of your geni­ tal activity, what particular thing did you in your locality. An inquiry addressed to cellent book is Human Sexuality, A Con­ that your total welfare is solely in her the National Sex and Drug Forum (atten­ temporary Marriage Manual, by James hands. No one person can be the all-in- describe to the someone who said it was your fault and that you were “just dumb,” tion Miss Phyllis Lyon) might bring you Leslie McCary. Dr. McCary is a Profes­ all for another. further directional or referral information: sor of Psychology at the University of You say you know she needs you. Per­ and, what is it explicitly that you feel you should know? Another fact would be the address is 330 Ellis St., San Francisco, Houston. The book is also available haps it is you who need her. Try to loosen through the Behavioral Science Book helpful—when you and your friend have ^California 94102. your reins a little. Let her have her family Service, Front & Brown Streets., Riverside, “talked about it openly” have you talked Finally, in the past two or three years, and her friends; be interested in the prob­ New Jersey, 08075, or your local book­ about the fact that there is a problem several excellent books have been pub­ lems she tries to solve and get across to lished for the layman about ^x, its im- store could order it for you. her, however you can, that you can sur­ of her dissatisfaction, or, have you dis­ vive without her con.stant attendance when cussed in detail what -she wants and how you're free, but that you enjoy and deeply you might provide it? You probably have appreciate her companionship when you done the latter for you say she wants you are together. to get an instrument. It could well be that your friend is penis-oriented and can Dear Dr. McGuire: .My problem is em­ derive gratiHcation only with full vaginal barrassing. and you probably won't want involvement. to bother with it, but I don't know any If the sole block to your otherwise al­ other way to find out about these things. most total compatibility is in this sexual It is my friend. We are happy together in area, then what is wrong with your using most ways, but not in the one way every­ a dildo, the “instrument" you probably one expects all homosexuals to automati­ refer to? People deprived of legs and cally be happy, in bed. I've had girl­ arms use prostheses for their utility and CROSS CURRENTS friends before, even lived with one girl for maximum functioning. Is it so terribly three years, and this has never been a different or “wrong" for two people who problem before. At least I never heard love each other, and who want to give FOR WOMEN ONLY, a panel show Clark P. Polak, head of HOMOSEXUAL about it if it was. But the girl 1 live with intimate gratification to one another, to now, I know she loves me, but she is not moderated by Aline Saarinen, appears on LAW REFORM SOCIETY (formerly use an available substitute that is a rea­ the local N.B.C. station in New York City JANUS). Hubert Stewart, of the news­ sexually satisfied with me. we have talked sonable facsimile of the missing member? about it very openly, and she has even every day from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. During paper staff, shows clear sympathy without After all, dildos have undoubtably existed the week of January 13-17, this featured abdicating his role of impartial recorder suggested that 1 might want to get some as long as women have enjoyed penises. five shows on homosexuality. Panelists for and reporter, in covering the current kind of instrument—but somehow that In the full flush of our recent ‘sexual revo­ seems very wrong to me. A friend told me the “good guys" were Martha Shelley of civil rights for homosexuals drive. Com­ lution' we should feel no shame in accept­ N.Y. DOB and Dick Leitsch of MAT- menting on the slogan, “Gay Is Good," that it was my fault, and that I was just ing limitations of physiology and doing TACHINE N.Y., and sociologist John Clark said that "What I truly feel is that dumb. Well, that may be true, but no one what we now freely can to make reason­ will explain to me what I should know, Kitsuse of Northwestern University. Those gay should be and can be neutral.” To able adjustments. And what of your own taking the opposite view (the sickness and 1 haven't any idea where to go to which we can all add. Amen. It should level of gratification? You say only that school) were Charles W. Socarides, M.D. find out. There aren't any marriage be possible someday to live in this world your friend is not satisfied. Are you? Your (who is the spiritual successor of Dr. without prejudice from race, religion, counselors for people like us. pleasure is important, too. “Dumb" Bergler); a Professor Rice of Fordham sexual orientation, or anything else that Also, you are mistaken about there be­ Law School (the Roman Catholic view); has no bearing on one's usefulness to the To “Dumb” ing “no marriage counsellors” for people and co-authors Peter and Barbara Wyden, community. 1 must begin by rejecting your ending. like you. Indeed there are. I have never of GROWING UP STRAIGHT, a book You are self-punishing to call yourself known of a qualified therapist anywhere that can be understood entirely by ex­ PLAYBOY FORUM, January, 1969. “Dumb.'" You may feel uninformed, or who would not do his best to help ariy amining its titular prejudice. Those for­ We have mentioned in the past that this inexperienced, or inadequate in the genital patientfclient with a sexual or any other tunate enough to have been present during magazine is taking a vital interest in sexu­ activity area, but you do yourself a dis­ distressing problem of living. As you the show's taping report that the white al mores. The “Forum Newsfront” for service to think of yourself as “Dumb." know, therapists do not advertise, and so hats won. January, 1969 is again full of letters about Anyone who can talk about sexual or other one can hardly look in the yellow pages homosexuality. Emphasis is strongly problems with a loved one is apt to be and expect to find that so-and-so special­ GAY IS GOOD OR IS IT? Philadel­ favorable. Many people are critical of this wise as well as courageous. People who izes in the treatment of homosexuals, or phia, November 4, 1968. THE PHILA­ magazine for its features that appeal to seek solutions to problems through heterosexuals, or phobics, or depressives, DELPHIA ENQUIRER published an the “childish” aspects of sexual relation­ thoughtful, on-going communication are or the problems involved in orgasm-failure. excellent article on an interview with ships. However, they take a serious look this group (and on women’s rights in at the important aspects of sexual relation­ ing such information is being done by THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, general) appeared in the college maga­ ships and the legalities and mores sur­ some of the small groups in their news­ January 21, 1969: More than lOO male zine, MODERATOR, which is distributed rounding them. They do a good service, letters. This isn’t enough. Anyone reading and female homosexuals demonstrated in this willing to supply a complete listing on a national basis. Women’s Liberation front of parliament demanding abolition and they have a wide readership. A vote Movement was said to be only 10 months "of thanks is due them for their efforts, that is accurate, please contact the editor, of a law banning sexual relations with a old, 800 members strong, with 30 chapters however commercial their motivations Gene Damon. minor of the same sex. They carried ban­ in 12 cities. This group’s periodical, THE may be. ners sating that the law obstructed in­ UNLIKELY SOURCES: CONFI­ VOICE OF THE WOMEN’S LIBERA­ dividual freedom and "made love punish­ MOVIES: There are a number of them DENTIAL MAGAZINE, for January, TION MOVEMENT, reports on their able.” Ah! to live in a country where various activities. So far, their presence at about with male and female homosexual 1969, contained a well-written, completely sexual relationships between adults are themes. So far none of them have been honest article on homosexuality, “Homo­ Atlantic City last September, in an attempt not punished . . . we’ll be lucky to see adequate, but they are supposed to be a sexuals in the U.S. Army," by Tom Dove. to disrupt the Miss America Pageant, has that here in our lifetime. beginning. PARADE, a Sunday news­ The article focused on the terrible treat­ been their only national effort that has paper supplement, in its December 29, ment of homosexuals by the U.S. services won them publicity. We have seen only —damning men without reason. The article part of one issue of this newsletter, the STOP PRESS: By the time this reaches 1968 issue, devoted its cover and several your attention, this event will have hap­ pages to viewing in advance Charles contains a partial listing of homophile October, 1968 issue. However, from the organizations and is entirely sympathetic. news contained in it, it is apparent that pened. Please refer to the first item in this Dyer's play, THE STAIRCASE, now out issue’s CROSS CURRENTS, and note in movie form with Rex Harrison and The same issue has a strongly worded there are a number of radical women's editorial damning our out-dated sex laws, rights groups forming in the United States. the casual reference to a “Professor Rice Richard Burton playing the homosexual of Fordham Law School.” He came off leads. Most of the article is taken up with and pointing out how the homosexual is Unlike NOW, which appeals primarily persecuted. to the older, upper middle class types, badly in the television shows reported in telling us how masculine and heterosexual this first item. However, according to the two leading actors are. A fact none of these more radical groups seem to have young members. We have no informa­ THE KIRKUS SERVICE bulletin for us were wanting to question. Lately, there HOMOPHILE ACTION LEAGUE January 1, 1969 (KIRKUS is an advance has been a lot of this defending of types. NEWSLETTER, from a newly formed tion on cost or frequency of publication, but information can be obtained by writing review tool for use of librarians and It seems that everyone who appears as Philadelphia organization, has had some booksellers) this man is Charles E. Rice, either a Lesbian or a male homosexual good hard-hitting content lately. Judging to 5336 South Greenwood, Chicago, Illinois. whose book, THE VANISHING RIGHT seems compelled to go on record at once only from their first three issues, they TO LIVE, is due out from Doubleday as being strictly heterosexual. THE intend to slant most of their material to JOE PYNE SHOW: Viewers on both on March 7, 1969. The book advocates LADDER is looking for someone, prefer­ the Lesbian (most of their members were capital punishment as a deterent to crime, ably in the New York area, who is quali­ part of the DOB Philadelphia chapter, no coasts reported that an early January, 1969 segment of Joe Pyne’s Metromedia to the “protection of innocent life.” Among fied to see and review all of these movies as longer in existence). However, the organ­ the criminals he would execute are all they appear in the future, and we are ization is open to both men and women, syndicated interview show featured a 34- year-old Lesbian identified as “Tracy." homosexuals. He is against artificial in­ promised a flood of them. Any volunteers?? so that slant may soon change. While it semination, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, lasts, congratulations on your work! All viewers agree that Mr. Pyne abandoned PUBLIC RELATIONS: National his usual sarcasm and quip approach and contraception, sterilization and homo­ sexuality. Note the clever juxtaposition of President Rita Laporte spoke January 10, YVONNE MACMANUS. Senior was very gentle and sincerely kind to things EVERYONE is against with things 1969 at AMERICAN RIVER JUNIOR Editor of Brandon House, publishers, has Tracy. Interview further said to be con­ most civil libertarians support. To quote COLLEGE in Sacramento, California. She agreed to answer questions from readers structive and not damaging to the Lesbian has been asked to return again in the late image. the gentleman—‘The real danger in seriously interested in getting novel manu­ America today is not the population ex­ spring and during the summer session. scripts published. All questions should be plosion but the copulation explosion” listed as questions, not contained in the AND “the law should actively encourage CHAPTERS FORMING: We an­ THE FEARLESS SPECTATOR: Col­ body of a letter. Send questions directly umnist Charles McCabe of the SAN chastity” . . . This is the kind of madness nounced the forming of new chapters in to Gene Damon, Editor, THE LADDER, Marin County, California, and in Reno, FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, devoted that makes it a matter of shame to have 1005 Market Street, Room 208, San his December 5, 1968 column to misuse to admit to being a moral liberal and a Nevada in the December/January issue of Francisco, California, 94103. Miss Mac- THE LADDER. In addition to these, a of police. “The Armed Preacher: His political conservative. There is much to Manus will go through the questions and Cost,” covers the use of police manhours fear when men like this still stalk the land, chapter is being formed in the San Diego devise an article answering all of them area. Anyone in that area interested should and law enforcement funds wasted in teach in our schools, touch the young which will appear in a future issue of searching out and arresting those persons lives around them. contact Rita Laporte at National Head­ THE LADDER . .. GET THOSE QUES­ quarters for information. “guilty” of the “crimes” frequently re­ NEW YORK MATTACHINE NEWS­ TIONS IN FAST, please! ferred to as "crimes without victims.” LETTER for November, 1968, reported Homosexuals, among others, rank high at length on a South African movement ORGANIZATIONS: Few realize that MILITANT WOMEN: Women are on the list of those who are punished to make stiffer laws on homosexual be­ there are dozens of homophile organiza­ organized in the United States to fight simply because another section of society havior. The present laws make such be­ tions in the United States and Canada. Few sexual discrimination. No, we are not re­ disapproved of their behavior. Mr. Mc­ havior a crime only when people under realize this because there is little informa­ ferring to NOW, The National Organiza­ Cabe points out that we are spending a age 16 are involved, a very realistic view. tion available. We have a crying need for a tion of Women, often mentioned in these great deal of money to turn policemen Beginning in 1966, the Police in South complete and accurate listing of such pages, but a group that calls itself The into “armed preachers” while serious Africa have worked toward stiffer legisla­ organizations and their current mailing Women’s Liberation Movement. As of (real) crime flourishes. tion. As we would expect, however, an address. A half-hearted attempt at carry­ last November, 1968, when an article on opposition group has sprung up to fight YOUR MONEY'S WORTH, a column against this movement. Information on this in the Washington. D.C. EVENING would have us believe, the result of a dis­ to be homosexual—and chief among these is not readily available to newspapers in STAR. February 5. 1969. by columnist eased mind or a bad upbringing. Simone is the fact that most men look upon her as the United States, reaching Dick I.eitsch Sylvia Porter, hits hard at unfair wage de Beauvoir points out in The Second Sex an inferior and attempt to deny her cer­ of N.Y. MATTACHINE privately. Any practices involving women, and unequal that Lesbianism is "an attitude chosen in tain civil rights. Some men have respect further developments will be mentioned, job opportunities. We all know this, but a certain situation—that is, at once moti­ for women as people—but millions of for such legislation is vital to all homo­ apparently the general public hasn't rea­ vated and freely adopted.” women grow up in situations where this is not the case. . sexuals all over the world. Whenever any lized it yet. because every week or so an­ A woman may not be fully aware of the homosexual's freedom is compromised, other paper or magazine has an article I do not believe that people are born circumstances which ted to her decision. homosexuals and “can't help it.” Most of we all are compromised. on the terrible treatment of women in the She may have repressed certain memories. working world. Miss Porter points out, us cannot change through psychotherapy This does not in any way diminish the fact because of an inner pride which refuses to GAB 'N JAVA and Rev. Robert W. for example, the Equal Pay Act has been that she has rejected a role of subordina­ submit to the male. We need not apologize Wood. N.Y. Chapter of DOB had Rev. in effect for y /i years, but women workers tion to an oppressor. She is not unrespon­ are still being paid much less than men for this pride. We need not apologize for Wood as speaker on December 15. 1968. sive to the man because she "can't help resenting a culture which has often por­ Rev. Wood spoke on “What The Bible for identical work in many cases. A more it” but because, deep within her, she has ominous note is that women hold only trayed women in the various art medias as Really Says About the Homosexual." If rejected him. Lesbianism is not merely adoring men who reduce them to an in­ 37% of the technical and professional you live near enough to San Francisco or a psychological, personal phenomenon, ferior position. We need not apologize, as jobs in the United States today. BUT, in New York City to attend the meetings, you but a sociological one as well. though we were born with a handicap are missing something if you fail to show 1945 they held 47% of such jobs . . . we which prevents us from being “normal.” up. are going backwards, not forwards. She is told, “Your trouble is that you We have made a choice out of a deep sense resent men.” Every woman has grounds of pride—and we can be proud of it! for resentment against men. She may re­ Martha Shelley press her feelings, just as a subject popu­ New York City lation may profess to adore a dictator and repress the resentment about losing their freedom. She may be aware of her feelings, but find an accommodation to her status? To the Editor: She also may choose to reject the "system.” I have been very surprised by some of the things I have read about DAUGH­ Any group of human beings in a position TERS OF BILITIS and THE LADDER of power will fight any attempt to diminish in the English magazine, ARENA THREE that power. Men resent Lesbians, particu­ (November, 1968 and December, 1968 larly those men who are unsure of their issues). Surely some of that information worth as individuals. Men were in some was wrong? For one thing, they said that respects more tolerant of Lesbians in the only 200 people subscribed to the maga­ past, indeed chose to ignore their existence zine (THE LADDER), and one thing im­ —because their power was more secure, and plied that the membership was very small, Dear Gene Damon: their contempt for women was so great and also that THE LADDER would not be I have heard many women .say, "I'm that they could not imagine any woman published much longer. The DOB con­ proud to be a Lesbian!” in the same way But getting back to the business of "re­ functioning without them. vention I attended several years ago in that a Negro, a Jew, or any other member lating to men"—on whose terms shall we New York City also had about 100 people relate to them? Marriage in our society We are a body of women independent of of an oppressed minority group may take their domination, willing to compete with or more present . . . and the last conven­ pride in her heritage. Too often, this pride means that the woman takes the man's tion (DENVER, COLORADO, AUGUST, name and makes a home for him so that he them on an equal basis—not willing to is irrational, and it is assumed as a de­ reduce ourselves to the lowest common 1968) was supposed to have only 15 people. fense against the oppressor. can go out and advance in his profession. What about this? It is almost unknown for a couple to move denominator so that every living male can The Lesbian, however, has special rea­ feel himself superior to us. sons to be proud of herself. to another city because her profession takes E. P. G. West Virginia People say. "You, a Lesbian, are in­ her there. As Simone de Beauvoir points The erotic choice of women for their (Editor's note: Yes, much of the infor­ capable of relating to men or of loving out, she is the object, both in terms of his own sex is only one aspect of the situation. mation you mention in the writeups ap­ them." But men have oppressed women treatment of her as an aide in his career More important is the fact that we repre­ pearing in ARENA THREE for November for centuries—shall we love the lash? We and as a sex object. He is subjective', the sent an alternate way of life for women. and December, 1968 is erroneous. Both were only recently given the vote^—and we world is seen from his viewpoint. Relating The erotic choice of one’s own sex is open membership and subscriber numbers are still excluded from real power in the to a man means relating on his terms. at all times, in all civilizations. The choice fluctuate, of course, but around 1100- 1200 copies of the magazine go out each busine.ss and political world, and from The Lesbian chooses not to do so. She of independence is particularly politically many professions and graduate schools. important for women in our culture. issue, to both paid subscribers and to refuses to be an object, she does not accept members (who get a copy as a part of I haven't got the time to catalogue the and embrace second-class citizenship— I do not mean to imply that an indepen­ their membership, of course) and to a few injustices of men against women. Betty although as a woman she is unable to dent woman is necessarily homosexual. institutions and professional personnel Friedan's The Feminine Mystique is the enjoy the advantages of a first-class posi­ But there are many reasons why an in­ likely to be interested in the magazine best work available on the subject. tion. This choice is not, as the Freudians dependent woman may rightfully choose for its sociological value. The low num- THE GAY WORLD, Martin Hoffman M.D.—Significant study or homosexuality with up-to-date conclusions...... c qe ber of members attending the meeting in (READERS RESPOND. DECEMBER/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B. TOKLA.S, Gertrude August was caused simply by the geo­ JANUARY) we "lose our humanity" when Stein— Life with Gertrude—genius Lesbian—as Alice might graphical location, practically dead center we fail to encompass all civil injustice in have told i t ...... ^ | in the United Slates. .Most of the members our view. live in two large urban areas. San Fran­ It has been said in a number of respon­ MIC RO COSM, Maureen Duffy—The Lesbian world of London cisco and New York. Many simply could sible articles published by the various — realistic and pertinent...... 4 95 not afford the expense of such a long new women's rights groups that long THE COLLECTED WORKS OF JANE BOWLES— journey—it costs several hundred dollars after the black “man" has full and equal inciudes TWO SER1OUS LADIES and CAM P CA LARACT .. 2.45 in airline fare alone for such a trip, There rights black and white women will still be QUEEN CHRISTINA, Georgina Masson—"Gifted, erratic are a few members in most of the large underdogs in education, jobs, wages, etc. and eccentric, she was the object of much scandal " cities, and a few dozen scattered around I am sure your readers would be inter­ N.Y. Tim es...... 7 95 the country in the smaller areas. Under­ ested in an article that appeared in , SONGS OF BILITIS, Pierre l.ovys...... 1 25 standably, most of the outlying people are EBONY MAGAZINE, December, 1968, SAPPHO—A NEW TRANSLATION, Mary Barnard— subscribers only, since they arc not lo­ about the "first and only Negro woman Love poetry by Sappho of l.esbos...... | t5 ’ & cated close enough to take part in the colonel" in the U.S. Army, Dr. Clotilde V activities of the chapters—though we en­ Dent Bowen. She is a physician and a THE WA ICHER AND THE WA fCHED. I honias Peacinim courage membership in every area. There psychiatrist, currently stationed at Fitz­ —"Close to the edge of pornography .. . and well w ritten " are around 100 members in San Francisco simmons General Hospital in Denver, Gene D am on...... ( 50 and 100 members in New York City at this Colorado. Colonel Bowen is chief of the LULU PLAYS. Frank Wedekind—includes EARTH SPIRIT time, with probably 10 to 20 in each of the Review Branch of the Army's new "medi­ and PANDORA'S BOX...... 7S other major cities of the country. THE care insurance" program. The article is en­ LHE KILLING OF SLSTCR GEORGE. Frank .Marcus- LADDER will be published just as long titled "The Colonel Is A Lady," and as is Hit play and newly released m ovie...... 4.50 as we can afford to publish it. Certainly often true of EBONY feature articles, it we always need money, but this is true THE WELL OF LONELINE.SS. Radelyffe Hall...... 95 covers the subject’s personal as well as 12 today of all of the dozens of homophile NKiHTWOOD. DJuna Barnes...... | .50 professional history. Dr. Bowen points I.T FIVE GIRLS, phttlttgrapheil by Sam Haskins...... ) 4S organizations in the world, and has al­ out that she received no prejudicial treat­ 14 ways been true historically in this move­ ment as a black woman (though she rea­ UNLIKE O ITIERS. Valerie T aylor...... 75 ment. Those of us w ho recognize that the lizes that some others have) but that she L\ WAITINCi F OR WINTER. John O'Hara—Short .Stories movement itself cannot survive the death has been prejudiced against for being a eight pertain— two Lesbian in them e...... 95 of its publications will do anything and woman. The article is heavily illustrated 15. ANY I HING GOF2S. Bine Strange Peterson— Well-written everything to preserve their existence.) and shows Dr. Bowen at work; at home but depressing story of a Danish l.esbian...... 95 (in a split-level home outside Denver) 17. THE LESBIAN IN AMERICA. D. W. L ory...... 75 Dear Miss Damon: with her white roommate, a nurse, Pris­ 18. I HEGRAPE VINE. JessStearn— Documentary...... 95 I am pleased to see that THE LADDER cilla Rancourt; playing pool, and clearing 19. Three assorted " I rashies"— Bad but fu n ...... [J ^ is going in more and more for women’s snow away from the drive to her mountain 20. INTERNA LIONAL GUILD GUIDE— 1969— Gay spots, bars rights in general, and for minority rights, cabin (for sports outings) above Denver. and meeting places—the world over— including USA...... 5.00 rather than just sticking to the rights of S. C. Lesbians. As Miss Sanders pointed out New York City 21 .SOME FACTS A BOUT LESBIAN.S— DOB quest ionnai re results.. 1.00 T) W.S.D. 6 Newsletter...... Free If you don't see it—write and ask lor it. Free copy of OLIVIA with every oriler gertrude stein Every Magazine la IMeiv over $6.00 (Formerly DOB Bookservice) Until You've READ It! memorial bookservice I 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 BAC:k copies still available 21 22 Enclosed is my check for $ please ship the book(s) encircled ^ above.

NAME Write to DOB ADDRESS 1005 Marliet Street Suite 208 Note: Your check MUST include the postage and packing fee of 10c a book, (trtax, 50c), and tax if blew York State resident. ^91 MERCER STREET San Francisco, California 94103 ------— ------\ NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10003 I 45 1. THE GAY WORLD. Martin Hoffman M.D.—Significant study or homosexuality with up-to-date conclusions...... r gc her of members attending the meeting in (READERS RESPOND, DECEMBER/ 2. AU TOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B.TOKLA.S, Gertrude August was caused simply by the geo­ JANUARY) we “lose our humanity” when Stein Life with Gertrude—genius Lesbian— as Alice might graphical location, practically dead center we fail to encompass all civil injustice in have told i t ...... | 45 our view. in the United States. Most of the members .L MIC RO COSM, Maureen Dutfy—The l.esbian world of l.ondon live in two large urban areas. San Fran­ It has been said in a number of respon­ — realistic and pertinent...... 4 95 cisco and New York. Many simply could sible articles published by the various not afford the expense of such a long new women's rights groups that long 4. t h e c o i .lectedworksofjanebowi .e s — journey—it costs several hundred dollars after the black "man" has full and equal includes TWO SERIOUS LADIES and CAM P CA IARACT .. 2.45 in airline fare alone for such a trip. There rights black and white women will still he 5. QUEEN CHRISTINA. Georgina Masson—“Gifted, erratic are a few members in most of the large underdogs in education, jobs, wages, etc. and eccentric, she was the object of much scandal" cities, and a few dozen scattered around I am sure your readers would be inter­ N.Y. Tim es...... 7 95 the country in the smaller areas. Under­ ested in an article that appeared in 6. SONGS OF BILITIS, Pierre Lovys...... | 25 standably, most of the outlying people are EBONY m a g a z in e , December, 1968, 7. SAPPHO— A NEW TRANSLATION. Mary Barnard— ...... subscribers only, since they are not lo­ about the "first and only Negro woman Love poetry by Sappho of Lesbos...... ] ">5 t cated close enough to take part in the colonel” in the U.S.- Army, Dr. Clotilde activities of the chapters—though we en­ Dent Bowen. She is a physician and a 8. THE WATCHER AND THE WATCHED. Thomas Peachum ' courage membership in every area. There psychiatrist, currently stationed at Fitz­ — "CMose to the edge of pornography . . . and well written' arc around 100 members in San Francisco simmons General Flospilal in Denver, Gene D am on...... 150 and too members in New York City at this Colorado. Colonel Bowen is chief of the 9. LULU PLAYS, Frank Wedekind—includes EARTH SPIRIT time, with probably 10 to 20 in each of the Review Branch of the Army's new "medi­ and PANDORA'S BOX...... 75 other major cities of the country. TFIE care insurance" program. The article is en­ 10, THE KILLING OF SLSTER GEORGE. Frank Marcus- LADDER will be published Just as long titled “ I'he Colonel Is A Lady," and as is Hit play and newly released m ovie...... 4,50 as we can afford to publish it. Certainly often true of EBONY feature articles, it I I. THE WELL OF LONELINESS. Radclyffe H ull...... ’95 we always need money, but this is true covers the subject's personal as well as 12. NIGHTWOOD. Djunu Barnes...... 1 S() today of all of the dozens of homophile professional history. Dr. Bowen points LL FIVE GIRLS, photographed by Sam Haskins...... 1.45 organizations in the world, and has al­ out that she received no prejudicial treat­ ways been true historically in this move­ ment as a black woman (though she rea­ 14, UNLIKE 0'HIER.S. Valerie T aylor...... 75 ment. Those of us w ho recognize that the lizes that some others have) but that she 15. WATTING FOR WINTER, John O Hara—Short Stories— movement itself cannot survive the death has been prejudiced against for being a eight pertain—two Lesbian in them e...... 95 of its publications will do anything and woman. Lhe article is heavily illustrated 15, ANY I HING GOE.S, Bine .Strange Peterson—Well-written everything to preserve their existence.) and shows Dr. Bowen at work; at home but depressing story of a Danish Lesbian...... 95 (in a split-level home outside Denver) 17. THE LESBIAN IN AMERICA, D.W. L ory...... ,75 Dear Miss Damon: with her white roommate, a nurse, Pris­ 18. THE GRAPE VINE. Jess Steam— Documentary...... 95 I am pleased to see that I FIF. LADDER cilla Rancourt; playing pool, and clearing 19. I hree assorted "Trashics"— Bud hut fu n ...... |.75 is going in more and more for women's snow away from the drive to her mountain 20. INTERNATIONAL GUILD GUIDE— 1969—Gay spots, bars rights in general, and for minority rights, cabin (for sports outings) above Denver. and meeting places—the w orld over including U.SA...... 5.00 rather than just sticking to the rights of S. C. I.esbians. As Miss Sanders pointed out New York City 2 1 SOME FACTS ABOUT LESBIANS— DOBqueslionnaireresults.. 1.00 _____22;_W^D. 6 Newsletter...... Free If you don't see it—write and ask for it. 1 , Fre-e copy of OLIVIA with every order PPrinjilP StPH over $6.()0 (Formerly DOB Book.scrvicc)0 ^ ' ' Every Magazine Is New memorial bookservice Until You've READ It! I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ">0 21 22 BAr K COPIE.S STILL AVAII.ABLE Enclosed is my check for $ please ship the book(.s) encircled above.

NAME Write to: DOB ADDRESS 1005 Market Street Suite 208 Note: Your check MUST include the postage and packing fee o f lOc a book, (max. SOc), and tax if New York Stale resident. 291 MERCER STREET San Francisco, California 94103 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003 1 DAUGHTERS of BILITIS incorporated Prepared and Published by: MEMBERSHIP in the Daughters of Bilitis is limited to women 21 years WE RECOMMEND; of age or older. If in New York area, direct inquiry to chapter. Other­ wise write to National Office in San Francisco for a membership appli­ COUNCIL ON RELIGION cation form. AND THE HOMOSEXUAL THE LADDER is a bi-monthly magazine published by Daughters of Bilitis, Inc., mailed in a plain sealed envelope for $7.50 a year. Anyone The Challenge DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS over 2 1 may subscribe to THE LADDER. SOCIETY FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS are gratefully accepted from anyone who wants to support our work. We arc a non-profit corporation depending entirely TAVERN GUILD OF SAN FRANCISCO on volunteer labor. While men may not become members of Daughters And Progress of Bilitis, many have expressed interest in our efforts and have made contributions to further our work. 25 or more issues 60c each NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS and San Francisco Chapter; 1 copy mailed $1.25 including postage 1005 Market Street, Room 208 of San Francisco, California 94103 Write to: New York Chapter Homosexual DOB P. 0 . Box 3629 1005 Market Street Grand Central Station New York, New York 10017 Suite 208 LAW REFORM San Francisco. California 94103 May we draw your attention to the potentials of a new customer market? The LADDER has reversed its long established policy and is now accept­ ing general advertising. A thousand adult readers regularly receive The LADDER, a magazine circulated throughout this country featuring news and views of the homo- .sexual and the homophile movement of particular interest to women. Most of our readers are women 21-45 years old who have devoted a major portion of their leisure time to assisting the lesbian to become a more productive, .secure citizen. Most of our readers believe that discrimination DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. against the homosexual is unfair and unjustified. To these readers your 1005 Market Street. San Francisco, Calif. 94103 advertisement places you on record as an ally in their personal area of deep concern. Our readers are apt to become and remain loyal customers. Please send THE LADDER fo r...... ,year(s) in a plain sealed envelope Charges for single insertions of advertisement copy are given below. to the address below. I enclose $ ...... at the rate of S7.50 for Please mail your advertising copy and check in full to; each year ordered. THE LADDER 1005 Market Street Room 208 N A M E...... San Francisco, California 94103 ADDRESS...... ADVERTISING RATES Half P age...... $ 45 Inside C over...... $100 CITY ...... State Zone Quarter Page...... $ 25 Full Page...... $ 80 / am over 21 years of age ISignedI . . . Repeated advertisements at reduced rates.