ri Published bi-monthly by the Daughters of Bilitis, Inc., a non-profit corporation, > * t h . ¡005 Market Street, Room 208, San ☆ Francisco, California 94103. THE “Deui^^ieu 0^ BILITIS VOLUME XIII, No. IX and X LADDER /I WOMLS’S ORC ASIZM lOS FOR THE FURPOSE OF PROMOTING JUNE/JULY, 1969 THE INTEGRATION OF THE HOMOSEXUAL INTO SOCIETY RY ;

^ Educatiun of the Lesbian, enabling her to understand herself NATIONAL OFFICERS, DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. and to make her adjustment to society in all its social, civic, President, Rita Laporte and economic implications - by establishing and maintaining Vice President, East, Joan Kent a library of both fiction and non-fiction literature on the sex Vice President, West, Rinalda Reagan deviant theme; by sponsoring public meetings on pertinent Secretary, Lynd James subjects to be conducted by leading members of the legal, psychiatric, religious and other professions; by providing the Chapter Presidents are also included on The Board Lesbian a forum for the interchange of ideas within her own group. THE LADDER STAFF O Education of the public, developing an understanding and Editor, Gene Damon acceptance of the Lesbian as an individual, leading to an eventual breakdown of erroneous taboos and prejudices - by Production Assistant, Lyn Collins public discussion meetings and by dissemination of educa­ Production Manager, Helen Sanders tional literature on the Lesbian theme. Secretary to the Editor, Maura McCullough Staff Assistants, Sten Russell, Ben Cat 6 Encouragement of and participation in responsible research dealing with homosexuality. O THE LADDER is regarded as a sounding board for various points of view Investigation of the penal code as it pertains to the homosexual, on the homophile and related subjects, and does not necessarily reflect the proposing and promoting changes to provide an equitable hand­ opinion of the organization except such opinions as are specifically ac­ ling of cases involving this minority group through due process knowledged by the organization. of law in the state legislatures. IN THIS ISSUE: MEMBERSHIP in the Daughters of Bilitis is limited to women 21 years of age or older. If in New York area, direct inquiry to chapter. Other- Is Heterosexuality Natural? Marty Anderson...... 4 wi.se write to National Office in San Francisco for a membership appli­ What the Bible Says about Homosexuality by Kim Stabinski...... 7 cation form. Two Poems by Kim Stibinski...... ' ^ t h e LADDER is a bi-monthly magazine published by Daughters of The Fire (a short story) by Helen R. Hull...... 11 Bilitis, Inc., mailed in a plain sealed envelope for $7.50 a year. Anyone Statement on the Lesbian The Student Homophile League...... 17 over 21 may sub.scribe to THE LADDER. The Lesbian Paperback by Gene Damon...... 18 CONTRIBUTIONS are gratefully accepted from anyone who wants to Sex Alone Not Enough by Florence Conrad...... 24 support our work. We are a non-profit corporation depending entirely Lesbiana by Gene Damon...... 27 on volunteer labor. While men may not become members of Daughters Mono-Bi-and Polysexuality by Jane Ogden...... 32 of Bilitis. many have expre.s.sed interest in our efforts and have made The Girl Next Door (a short story) by Leo Skir...... 34 contributions to further our work. The Counsellor’s Corner by Dr. Ruth M. McGuire...... 37 NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS and New York Chapter San Francisco Chapter: p q . Box 3629 Cross Currents and Miscellaney...... 39 1005 Market Street, Room 208 Grand Central Station Readers Respond...... San Francisco, California 94103 New York, New York 10017 Sister of Saphho: Marie Laurencin by Vern Niven...... 46 Copyright 1969 by Daughters o f Bilitis, Inc., San Francisco, California. by Marty Anderson affair? Why are women so con­ is the argument that the “purpose” structed that their orgasm is most of sex is to reproduce—that God often a product of clitoral stimula­ created man in two sexes and that IS HETEROSEXUALITY “NATURAL”? tion rather than a result of penetra­ He had a purpose in doing so. Well, tion with the penis? The vagina is if the purpose was to reproduce, I Myths die slowly and they die people today are bearing far too directly connected with reproduc­ have already demonstrated that hard. The myth of a flat world, many children. It seems unlikely tion and the clitoris is not—yet the this is adequately fulfilled by oc­ with sun and stars revolving that they will be discouraged from clitoris is the most sexually sensi­ casional intercourse. Will anyone around it, is long dead. Most overpopulating the world by sim­ tive organ in a woman’s body. say that God commanded men to Americans no longer believe in the ply encouraging non-reproductive Freudian psychiatrists have engage in sex only when a child is Biblical explanation of creation, forms of sexuality. postulated that the “healthy, ma­ the desired result and only in the although it was only very recently In short, the race is not going to ture” adult enjoys coitus more manner necessary to reproduce? that the last of the laws prohibiting stop reproducing itself, no matter than any other sex act. Since the This position, of course, would re­ the teaching of evolution was what laws are enacted or rejjealed. Masters and Johnson study showed sult in the prohibition of contra­ struck down. Our nation is suffer­ If homosexuality were made legal, that most adults do not react the ception as well as sexual acts in ing from the death-agony of the and heterosexuality illegal, if bear­ way Freudians tell us we ought to persons who are sterile, women myth of racism. The myth of male ing children were punishable by react, are we to assume that most past menopause or in infertile peri­ dominance and women’s “role of death, huge numbers of people of us are unhealthy? Or is it pos­ ods. If G t^’s purpose was that we submissiveness" still prevails in would risk death, even by torture, sible that the Freudians are indulg­ should use sex only for reproduc­ our society. in order to have children. ing in circular and moralistic rea­ tion, why did he create the homo­ One of the myths that very few Most people practice sexual be­ soning? If I tell you that milk is sexual, why did He make some people have challenged is the belief havior of some sort rather frequent­ the most healthful food and that people sterile? I cannot believe that that heterosexuality is the most ly and only occasionally have chil­ you should therefore enjoy milk He did this only to torment us and natural, mature and perfect way of dren. If men and women had sex more than any other food—and lead us into the temptation of sin­ loving. In order to challenge this only during one month of the year, that you must be mentally sick if ning against His purposes. I cannot belief, one must be prepared to we would still be overpopulated! you prefer some other kind of food believe that sex was given to us to examine the nature of human sex­ The second prop behind the —you would probably tell me that be enjoyed only by those who wish uality in a dispassionate way; and myth is that heterosexual coitus is you feel perfectly fine and that it’s to procreate at the time and forbid­ few human beings are quite capable most pleasurable to the majority. none of my business what you eat. den to all others. of being dispassionate about sex. According to the recent study by It would seem ridiculous to you to The final prop of the myth of Nevertheless, it is possible to try. Masters and Johnson, Human define mental health or maturity heterosexual “naturalness’ lies in The prime argument behind the Sexual Response, most of the par­ on the basis of food tastes; yet we cultural projection. Men tend to see myth that heterosexuality is most ticipants reported more intense or­ do this all the time in the area of the universe in terms of their own “natural” (and by implication, gasms were experienced through sexual preferences. prejudices and conceptions. In a that other forms of sexual expres­ masturbation rather than through One may also question the idea patriarchal society, man projects sion are unnatural) is that coitus is sexual intercourse. According to that we “ought” to live naturally. a male, father-like god figure to necessary for reprcxluction, and various studies of female sexuality, We all eat cooked food, wear arti­ rule the universe. In a matriarchal without it the race would become most women achieve orgasm rare­ ficial garments, travel in artificial society, the most powerful god is a extinct. Yet it does not seem neces­ ly, perhaps never in their lifetimes machines instead of on the feet female, mother-like figure. The sary for people to encourage each —including women who have God gave us—and we don’t make a gods always resemble powerful other to practice heterosexual borne many children. If heterosex­ fuss about it. And yet when some men, women or animals. Men also coitus or to bear children, and in­ ual coitus is so “natural,” so “ful­ fellow performs a sex act with his project sexuality onto the universe. deed the problem throughout his­ filling,” why do women, who are own natural physical equipment in The Chinese have a myth struc­ tory for most peoples was to keep biologically capable of orgasm, a way which makes us uncomforta­ ture involving concepts of Yang and Yin. Westerners use their lan­ people from bearing children out have to learn how to achieve it? If ble, we call him “unnatural,” raise of wedlock or when they were for the function comes “naturally,” a hue and cry, and throw him in guage to label everything in sight other reasons in no financial posi­ why is sex an art that has to be prison—or worse. as “he,” “she,” or “it.” As a matter tion to care for their children. And practiced rather than an automatic Another prop behind this myth of fact, the neutral pronoun did not come into use until very recently in but as male and female in copula­ quacy, and of perhaps being con­ rhythms of sex and love, is simply the history of the English lan­ tion. The magnetic properties of sidered immature, unhealthy and a vast cover-up for deep feelings of guage. In Chaucer’s time, it was north and soudi are seen in terms insane, many people are extremely inadequacy, guilt, and lack of impossible to refer to anything of sexual attraction between male reluctant to examine the nature of pleasure. And the persecution of without labelling it as either male and female. sexuality. In the Victorian era, sexual minorities is simply an at­ or female by one’s use of pro­ And yet the majority, as we know most men masturbated; yet almost tempt to obliterate the evidence nouns. It is quite possible that a from history, is not always right. every masturbator felt that there that conflicts with our fantasies. culture exists which does not label The majority once thought it natu­ was something wrong with him. People are all so busy buying books sexual objects as either male or fe­ ral that the earth was flat, that And all these masturbating gentle­ about sex, trying to “make mar­ male, but I have yet to hear of one. kings had a divine right to rule, men publicly upheld the notion riage work,” trying to achieve According to some recent theo­ that blacks were intended by God that their private practices were simultaneous orgasm, trying so ries, man is the most sexual of ani­ to serve whites, that women were sinful and sick! hard to label as “sick” anyone who mals. Only men are capable of hav­ intended to be subservient to men. It may be that the myth of nor­ does not subscribe to the myth, ing sex at any time of year. The hu­ People have a great emotional mality, the glorified romances trying to legislate morality. If heterosexuality were so simple and man female is the only female investment in believing that het­ where one is supposed to feel “in mammal who does not have a erosexuality is right and natural tune with the universe” which is natural, would all this be neces­ “heat” period. Humans have larger and ought to be practiced, even supposedly vibrating to the sary? genitals, in comparison with their by those who do not especially physical size, than any other ani­ want to practice it. I cannot believe mal. that this emotional investment is by Kim Stabinski I can hypothesize that men, who the result of anything other than WHAT THE BIBLE DOES AND DOES NOT are so highly sexed in comparison emotional insecurity. to other animals, would have a re­ When we consider what a dif­ SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY sultant tendency to project their ficult business sex is, how fraught sexuality all around them, to see with dangers it has been (unwanted Having read Rev. Robert W. Wood’s as integral parts of our community re­ even the hills and the sky as having children and venereal disease), and Christ and the Homosexual some years ligious bodies. And how great is our need as individu­ sex. It is also possible that some how we have all been conditioned back, I was particularly interested in his “Homosexuality and the Church” (The als for a personal relationship with Christ cultures exist which attribute sex­ to react to sex with fear, embarrass­ through His Church! Faced with myriad uality only to creatures who actual­ Ladder, December/January). Again he ment, secret curiosity, shame, etc.; strikes some rather poignant notes regard­ problems peculiar to homosexuality in ly have sex, and do not sec sex when sexual performance has been ing the Church’s tendency to rationalize addition to the problems we all face as hu­ where it does not exist; and if such converted into the proof to every its lack of positive action in some areas mans, a firm faith and trust in Christ can a culture is found, I’d like to hear of human conifern through deep involve­ be the difference in our total adjustment man of his adequacy as a human to life—or lack of it. about it. This psychological ten­ ment in other (often lesser) causes. The number of us who hold ourselves being; when sexual pleasure is In rushing to the “amen corner,” 1 back from this relationship with Him be­ dency might also have no causal re­ more difficult for a woman to pray we readers did not skim too lightly lation to the fact that man is a high­ achieve, so that men often become over the Rev. Mr. Wood’s point that we cause of the reluctance of the Church to admit its lethargy is tragic. It brings to ly sexed species; but in any case, need the Church even more than it needs angry at a woman’s demands for mind the point Rev. Wood makes but un­ this is certainly worth investiga­ help in obtaining pleasure, or per­ us. In this age of faint new awakening to fortunately does not develop: “An under­ tion. standing of what the Bible does and DOES haps ignore her needs or convince our particular needs on the part of the NOT say on the matter will go a long way How does this relate to the myth her that her role in life is to cater Church, we can ill afford to stand back to opening minds and establishing a moral of heterosexual “naturalness?” The and watch the seed either grow or wither. to his pleasure and forget her own theology toward homosexuality.” majority of the population is het- —when we consider that sex edu­ We must meet the Church more than half What so many of us fail to realize is eroscxually oriented and this has way. Only by integrating ourselves into cation in schools is still a debatable the religious community can we make that a great bulk of our theology is NOT always been the case for humanity. based on Christ’s teaching, but rather on issue in this country—is it any our voices heard, can we help tear down social mores which inevitably had tre­ The majority does not merely pro­ the stereotype of homosexuality so preva­ wonder that most people do not mendous influence on the human minds ject sexuality onto the universe; lent among our Church leaders and laity. feel at all “natural” about sex, attempting to establish guidelines in ac­ This we can do quietly, calmly. There it projects its preferred brand, het­ cordance with His teachings. And once but are basically insecure about it? is no need for soap boxes or self an­ erosexuality. Sky and earth are not those guidelines are established, change And because of this basic insecu­ nouncements. There is a need for us to be is an interminable process, even when seen as two rough males in combat rity, because of the fears of inade­ seen, gradually understood, and accepted the fallacy of long-accepted "thou shalt translations and interpretations it has not” s can be shown. been vulnerable to human error. Were we What would happen to our educational to adjust to ourselves and adjust ourselves Until the Church can acknowledge the to go back to the ancient Greek (with system (or to the Church) if the Church to our society. fact, we as homosexuals must individual­ an understanding of the vernacular of the began a crusade against women teachers Only when we accept the fact that we ly come to understand that the Church’s day) and trace the references to homo­ based on I Timothy 2:11-12? have been conditioned to believe man’s law and God's law are not always the sexuality from the original language The list could go on and on—and few laws to be God’s can we adjust our lives same—certainly not in the matter of ho­ down through the years of revision, we of us would disagree with the Church’s to His love, walking tall, unashamed and mosexual expression. could begin to appreciate the effect of so­ lack of strict interpretation of the Scrip­ unafraid into His Church as Christian What does the Bible actually say about cial mores and taboos on the interpreta- tures in such instances. Yet we do wonder homosexuals. homosexuality? Let’s not check the Old tors. Thanks to the Revised Standard how the Church can overlook entire pas­ (Kim Slahinski, a 29-year old busines-K- Testament references, for in with the few Version, we now have the word “homo­ sages which pertain to the majority, woman currently living in Boston, spent comments on the subject there we will sexual" (I Corinthians 6:9) directly in the while seizing upon a few scattered verses her first twenty-one years in a strict become distracted by such sins as eating Scriptures! to condemn the homosexual minority— Protestant atmosphere, always active in rabbit (Leviticus 11:6), lobster, clams, We must also keep in mind that even especially when those scattered verses are the Church and a leader in youth activi­ shrimp, oysters (Leviticus 11:10-12), or the original Scriptures were recorded by oftem much more open to different in­ ties. rare steak (Leviticus 17:10)—or of wear­ men—men influenced by Mosaic law and terpretations than are the verses which go Although she had known years earlier ing garments “of divers sort, as of woolen the accepted social views of the day as against the grain of currently socially ac­ that she is a Lesbian. Kim had not per­ and linen together" (Deuteronomy 2211, well as by God. ceptable behavioral patterns. sonally accepted that fact and bad care­ KJV). In considering the effect of social pres­ In observing these discrepancies 1 am fully avoided all contact with homosex­ There are but three direct references sures on the Church’s teaching in modern not attempting to berate the Bible, but uality until near the end of her college to homosexuality in the New Testament. days, let us look at some of the things rather to point out that it was originally years. The most widely quoted of these for forbidden in the New Testament (KJV written by man, translated and interpre- Confronted by parents who learned damning overt homosexual expression is quoted) but practiced widely in or sanc­ tated by man, its doctrines supplemented o f her .sexual identity within months of Romans 1:26-27 (KJV): “For this cause tioned by our Churches at the present by man into the broad base of Christian her first encounter, Kim was overcome God gave them up unto vile affections: time. theology. And man is fallible. Even St. with guilt. In .spite of her initial contact, for even their women did change the In I Corinthians 7:10-11 and 39, St. Paul, recognizing this,often states that he she still had not accepted her homosex­ natural use into which is against nature; Paul spells out what he terms as God’s is giving his own views rather than com­ uality, nor had she questioned the re­ and likewise also the men, leaving the law against divorce and remarriage. mandments of God. ligious teachings which she had been so natural use of the woman, burned in their Here we notice he places priority on this We need the Bible as a source to under­ carefully conditioned to believe. lust one toward another.” law over many teachings which he clari­ standing Christ— but we need to spend In grief at the anguish she had dealt her Note these key words: change, leaving. fies as being his own Judgment—and more time observing His spirit as related parents, embroiled in conflict between her In order to change from or to leave het­ rightly so. Read Christ’s own words in there rather than the “letter of the law” nature and her Christianity, and seeking erosexuality, one must first be heterosex­ given by His followers in attempting to a closer relationship with Christ and a ual. Mark 10: 11-12. Yet how many ministers today unite divorced persons with new spread His message. meaningful life, she turned in desperation What we have is an account of bisexual partners in the sacrament of marriage__ Pick up an edition of the Bible with to Catholicism. Four months after her last-—and St. Paul does say lust, placing or accept such couples Joyfully into their Christ's recorded statements printed in baptism, she received her degree and en­ this behavior out of the higher realm of congregations without so much as a fur­ red. Study only His words, comparing tered the convent. love and devotion. It is interesting to rowed brow! His positive approach with the often nega­ While receiving a "crash training note that this is the only Old or New Tes­ What minister would quote 1 Corin­ tive approach found elsewhere through­ course" from her novice mistress to help tament scriptural reference to sexual rela­ thians 6:1-7 to a parishioner involved out the Scriptures. Notice His emphasis her adjti.tt to her new religion and to con­ tions between females. m court proceedings against one who had on love—His silence on the means of sex vent life, Kim aiso took Theology classes In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (KJV), St. Paul injured him? Or I Timothy 2: 9-10 to a but concern only with the motives behind at a nearby college and taught in one of lumps them that defile themselves with woman who wears gold or pearls or a it. her order's .schools. Can we actually believe a Christ of such During her year in the convent, Kim mankind into the same condemnation stylish hairdo? Or Hebrews 5:13 to the with murderers. Here the word deftle. family serving milk at dinner? love, a Christ who recognizes the human finally came to know and accept herself. used also in deploring lustful heterosexual need for mortal love and its physical ful­ After that first big step, she began slowly, How many ushers would turn the and bestial practices, is open to question. hatless woman from the church door with fillment as well as for His divine love, can cautiously, prayerfully to examine— and Does one defile oneself through the actual ask that legions of homosexuals either live to question— the Catholic and Protestant I Corinthians 11:5-6 and 13? Or the boy —or through the motive of lust and with long hair with 1 Corinthians 11:14? a life of celibacy or else face eternal dam­ positions on homosexuality. carnal desire separated from all higher Through the ensuing years, Kim has In fact, why do we never question the nation? Not the Christ I know! emotional planes? Not that St. Paul does “1 know, and am persuaded by the Lord been gradually developing her own moral fact that Christ is always pictured with not clarify the gender of “them” or the long hair while St. Paul says “If a man Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of theology toward homosexuality, and she usage of “mankind” as meaning men or have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” itself: but to him that esteemeth any is currently working toward presenting the totality of human beings, thus leaving thing to be unclean, to him it is un­ this theology in book form. Her goal is to How many female Sunday School this oft-quoted condemnation of homo­ clean” (Romans 14:14, KJV). “Unto have this hook—The Christian Homo­ sexuality quite open to interpretation. teachers and missionaries, women preach­ the pure all things are pure: but unto sexual—in the hands of her publisher ers and evangelists would the Church lose We must keep in mind that the Bible them that are defiled and unbelieving within the next year. Upon completion does not now say precisely what it once if it followed 1 Corinthians 14:34-35! is nothing pure” (Titus 1:15, KJV). o f The Christian Homosexual, she en­ Even the nuns would find convent life did—through centuries of transliteration, vastly different! Only when we as individuals accept the visions a series of novels o f the Ann Han­ fact that we are homosexual can we begin non variety.) TWO POEMS by Helen R Hull by Kim Stabinski THE FIRE

Lines before the Ecumenical Council (Helen Rose Hull, distinguished Ameri­ Fleming did not look up. can novelist and short story writer, was “Father, I don’t think anybody else veiled silence Radclyffe said it: educated at Michigan State and the Uni­ will be in.” veiled tears we have not denied You versity o f Michigan, and received a Ph.B. “Well, go on home, then.” Her father rise up then, oh Lord, defend us degree from the University o f Chicago in bent again over the squares, the light You are lifted acknowledge us before the whole world 1912. shining strongly on the thin places about behold the Lamb of God give us also She has taught at Wellesley College and his temples. behold Him Who the right to our existence Columbia University. Her first short “Father, please,”—Cynthia spoke hur­ story was -published in 1915. Her first riedly,—“you aren’t going for a while? heads bowed, revering speak the word only novel, QUEST, in 1922. 1 want to go down to Miss Egert’s for a the striking of breasts This story, “The Fire," first appeared minute.” out of the depths in the CENTURY MAGAZINE, No­ "Eh? What’s that?” He leaned back in oh Lord i am not worthy we cry unto Thee, oh Lord vember, 1917. It is a tribute to the uni­ his chair now, and Mr. Fleming lifted his that Thou shouldst come under my roof Lord, hear our prayer versality o f her talent that this story still severe, black beard to look at this in­ but speak the word only has relevance today in defining the puber­ truder. “What for? You can’t take any and my soul shall be healed acknowledge us ty patterns o f the Lesbian. more painting lessons. Your mother before the whole world Miss Huli’s pertinent fiction includes doesn’t want you going there any more.” oh Lord i am not worthy open their eyes, defend the aforementioned novel, QUEST, “I just want to get some things I left doubly forced on us our right to existence N.Y., Macmillan. 1922; LABYRINTH, there. I can get back to go home with while they receive You you.” saying N.Y., Macmillan, 1923: “With One Coin at Thy council For Fee," s. n., in EXPERIMENT, N.Y., “But your mother said she didn't like oh Lord i am not speak the word Coward, 1940 and LANDFALL, N.Y., your hanging around down there in an while they empty house with an old maid. What did and our souls Coward, 1952. we kneel she tell you about it?” in legions She has had a varied and successful in veiled tears “Couldn’t I just get my sketches. Fa­ shall be career, producing over a dozen novels and with oh Lord i am not several collections o f short stories and ther, and tell Miss Egert I’m not coming and no hope novellas.} any more? She would think it was awful­ oh Lord i am not ly funny if I didn’t. I won’t stay. But she speak the word only speak the Cynthia blotted the entry in the old —she’s been good to me—” “What set your mother against her, speak it Lord at Thy council ledger and scowled across the empty of­ and my soul shall be fice at the door. Mrs. Moriety had left it then? What you been doing down there?” ajar when she departed with her receipt Cynthia twisted her hands together, her for the weekly fifty cents on her “lot.” If eyes running from Fleming’s amused On T. S. Eliot’s “The Hippopotamus’’ you supplied the missing gilt letters, you stare to her father’s indecision. Only an could read the sign on the glass of the up­ accumulated determination could have (While The Church remains below , .. per half: “H. P. Bates. Real Estate. Nota­ carried her on into speech. Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.) ry Public.” Through the door at “I’ve just gone down once a week for a Cynthia’s elbow came the rumbling voice lesson. I want to get my things. If I’m not strange of old Fleming, the lawyer down the hall; going, I ought to tell her.” “Why didn’t you tell her that last we sin he had come in for his Saturday night game of chess with her father. week?” merely “1 kept hoping I could go on.” by doubting Cynthia pushed the ledger away from her, and with her elbows on the spotted, “Um.” Her father’s glance wavered to­ to be sin ward his game. “Isn’t it too late?” that which She calls sin green felt of the desk, her fingers burrow­ ing into her cheeks, waited for two “Just eight. Father.” She stepped near and in our sin minutes by the nickel clock; then, with a her father, color flooding her cheeks. “If nothing quick, awkward movement, she pushed you’ll give me ten cents, I can take the we do back her chair and plunged to the door­ car—” being done in sin way, her young face twisted in a sort of “Well— He dug into his pocket, can be more than sin fluttering resolution. nodding at Fleming’s grunt, “The women than more sin “Father—” always want cash, eh. Bates?” Her father jerked his head toward her, Then Cynthia, the dime pressed into yes, mr. eliot, i want to be a hippopotamus his fingers poised over a pawn. Old her palm, tiptoed across to the nail where her hat and sweater hung, seized them, “I'm out here. Who is it?" There was in her voice, too, in its swift inflections. and studio in here. Your sketches are in and still on tiptoe, lest she disturb the a noise of feet hurrying through dead “I tried to show him it wasn’t a bit the portfolio, and that’s—somewhere!” game again, ran out to the head of the leaves, and as Cynthia turned to answer, disgraceful for me to live here in a wing Cynthia stood in the doorway, watch­ stairs. out of the shadow moved a blur of face of my own instead of being a sort of ing Miss Egert bend over a pile of can­ She was trembling as she pulled on her and white blouse. nurse-maid adjunct in his house.” She vases, throwing up a grotesque, rounded sweater; as she ran down the dark steps “Cynthia! How nice!” The woman laughed, a soft, throaty sound. “It’s my shadow on the wall. Round the girl’s to the street the tremble changed to a touched Cynthia's shoulder as she pushed house. It’s all I have left to keep me a throat closed a ring of iron. quiver of excitement. Suppose her father open the door. “There, come in.” person, you see. I won’t get out and be “Here they arc, piled up—” had known just what her mother had The candles on the table bent their respectable in his eyes.” Cynthia edged between the boxes. Miss said! That she could not sec Miss Egert flames in the draft; Cynthia followed Miss “He didn’t mind your staying here and Egert was dragging the black portfolio again: could never go hurrying down to Egert into the room. taking care of—them!” cried Cynthia. from beneath a pile of books. the cluttered room they called the studio “You're busy?” Miss Egert had stood “It’s respectable, dear, for an old maid “And here’s the book I wanted you to for more of those strange hours of eager­ up by the door an old wooden-toothed to care for her father and mother; but see.” The pile slipped crashing to the ness and pain when she bent over the rake. “I don’t want to bother you." when they die she ought to be useful to floor as Miss Egert pulled out a maga­ drawing-board, struggling with the mys­ Cynthia's solemn, young eyes implored some one else instead of renting her house zine. “Never mind those. See here.” She teries of color. That last sketch—the the woman and turned hastily away. The and living on an edge of it.” dropped into the chair from which she little, purpling mint-leaves from the gar­ intensity of defiance which had brought “Oh,”—Cynthia leaned forward,— had knocked the books, the portfolio den— Miss Egert had liked that. And they her at such an hour left her confused. should think you’d hate him! I think under one arm, the free hand running thought she could leave those sketches “Bother? I was afraid 1 had to have my families are— terrible!” through the pages of an old art magazine. there! Leave Miss Egert, too, wondering grand bonfire alone. Now we can have it “Hate him?” Miss Egert smiled. “He’s The chair swung slightly; Cynthia, peer­ why she never came again! She hurried to a party. You’d like to?” nice. He just doesn’t agree with me. As ing down between the boxes, gave a the corner, past the bright store windows. Miss Egert darted across to straighten long as he lets the children come over—I startled “Oh!” In thought she could see Miss Egert set­ one of the candles. The light caught in told him I meant to have a beautiful time “What is it?” Miss Egert followed ting out the jar of brushes, the dishes of the folds of her crumpled blouse, in the with them, with my real friends—with Cynthia’s finger. 'The chair?” She was water, pushing back the litter of maga­ .soft, drab hair blown out around her face. you.” silent a moment. “Do you think I keep zines and books to make room for the “1 can’t stay very long.” Cynthia stared Cynthia shrank into her chair, her eyes my mother prisoner here in a wheel chair drawing-board, waiting for her to come. about the room, struggling to hide her tragic again. now that she is free?” She ran her hand Oh, she had to go once more, black as turmoil under ordinary casualness. “You “Come, let’s have our bonfire!” Miss along the worn arm. “I tried to give it her disobedience was! had the carpenter fix the bookshelves, Egert, with a quick movement, stood in to an old ladies’ home, but it was too used The half-past-eight car was just swing­ didn’t you?" front of Cynthia, one hand extended. up. They wanted more style.” ing round the curve. She settled herself “Isn’t it nice now! All white and gray Cynthia crouched away from the hand. “But doesn’t it remind you—” Cynthia behind two German housewives, shawls and restful—just a spark of life in that “Miss Egert,”—her voice came out in hesitated. over their heads, market-baskets beside mad rug. A good place to sit in and grow a desperate little gasp,—“I can’t come “It isn’t fair to remember the years she them. They lived out at the end of the old.” down any more. I can’t take any more had to sit here waiting to die. You didn’t street; one of them sometimes came to the Cynthia looked at the rug, a bit of painting lessons.” She stopped. Miss know her. I’ve been going back to the office with payments on her son’s lot. scarlet Indian weaving. She wouldn’t see Egert waited, her head tipped to one side. real years— Miss Egert smiled at Cynthia pressed against the dirty window, it again! The thought poked a derisive “Mother doesn’t think I better. 1 came Cynthia’s bewildered eyes. “Here, let’s fearful lest she miss the corner. There it finger into her heart. down—after my things.” look at these.” She turned another page. was, the new street light shining on the “Shall we sit down just a minute and ‘They’re all in the workroom.” Miss “See, Cynthia. Aren’t they swift and sedate old house! She ran to the platform, then go have the fire?" Egert spoke quietly. “Do you want them glad? That’s what 1 was trying to tell pushing against the arm the conductor Cynthia dropped into the wicker chair, now?" you the other day. See that arm, and the extended. wrenching her fingers through one ant- “Yes.” Cynthia pressed her knuckles drapery there! Just a line—” The girl “Wait a minute, there!" He released other. against her lips. Over her hand her eyes bent over the page, frowning at the de­ her as the car stopped, and she fled across “My brother came in tonight, his last cried out. “Yes, I better get them,” she tails the quick finger pointed out. “Don’t the street. attempt to make me see reason,” said said heavily. they catch you along with them?” She In front of the house she could not .see Miss Egert. Miss Egert, turning slowly, lifted a held the book out at arm’s length, squint­ a light, upstairs or down, except staring Cynthia lifted her eyes. Miss Egert candle from the table. ing at the figures. “Take it along. There reflections in the windows from the white wasn’t wondering why she had come; “We’ll have to take this. The wiring are several more.” She tucked the book arc light. She walked past the dark line she could stay without trying to explain. isn’t done.” She crossed the room, her into the portfolio and rose. “Come on; of box which led to the front door. At Miss Egert wound her arms about her thin fingers, not quite steady, bending we'll have our fire.” the side of the old square dwelling jutted knees as she went on talking. Her slight around the flame. “But, Miss Egert,”—Cynthia’s voice a new, low wing; and there in two win­ body was wrenched a little out of sym­ Cynthia followed through a narrow hardened as she was swept back into her dows were soft slits of light along the metry, as though from straining always passage. Miss Egert pushed open a door, own misery,— can’t take it. I can t curtain-edges. Cynthia walked along a for something uncaptured; there was the and the musty odor of the store room come any more.” ‘To return a book?” Miss Egert low­ little dirt path to a door at the side of the same lack of symmetry in her face, in her floated out into a queer chord with the wing. Standing on the door-step, she felt eyebrows, in the line of her mobile lips. fresh plaster of the hall. ered her eyelids as if she were again siz­ ing up a composition. “You needn’t come in the shadow for the knocker. As she But her eyes had nothing fugitive, noth­ “Be careful of that box!” Miss Egert let it fall, from the garden behind her ing pursuing in their soft, gray depth. set the candle on a pile of trunks. “I’ve just for les.sons.” Cynthia shook her head. came a voice: Their warm, steady eagerness shone out had to move all the truck from the attic “It’s hard alone.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” Miss Egert made a “Mother thinks—" She fell into si­ watch. The light ran over her face; the deprecating little gesture. “But no harm delighted gestures of her hands were like ‘That doesn’t matter.” lence. She couldn't say what her mother has come to her.” thought—dreadful things. If she could quick shadows. Cynthia’s fingers unclasped, and one hand closed desperately around Miss “She has disobeyed me.” only swallow the hot pressure in her "See the old apple-tree dance! He’s too At the tone of her mother’s voice throat! old to move fast.” Egert’s. Her heart fluttered in her tem­ ples, her throat, her breast. She clung Cynthia felt something within her breast “Oh. 1 hadn't understood." Miss Cynthia crouched by the wall, brushing curl up like a leaf caught in flame. Egert's fingers paused for a swift touch away from her face the scratchy leaves of to the fingers, pulling herself slowly up from an inarticulate abyss. “I’ll get the things I came for.” She on Cynthia’s arm, and then reached for the dead hollyhocks. Excitement tingled started toward the house, running past the candle. “You can go on working by through her; she felt the red and yellow “Miss Egert,”—she stumbled into words,—“I can’t beslr it, not coming her mother. She must hurry, before her yourself." flames seizing her, burning out the heavy mother said anything to hurt Miss Egert. “It isn't that—" Cynthia struggled an rebellion, the choking weight. Miss Egert here! Nobody else cares except about sensible things. You do, beautiful, won­ She stumbled on the door-step, and instant, and dropped into silence again. leaned back against the wall, her hands flung herself against the door. The |X ) r t - She couldn’t say out loud any of the spread so that her thin fingers were fire- derful things.” “You’d have to find them for yourself, folio was across the room, on the little, things she was feeling. There were too edged. old piano. The candle beside it had gut­ many walls between feeling and speech; “See the smoke curl up through those Cynthia.” Miss Egep’s fingers moved under the girl’s grasp. Then she bent tered down over the cover. Cynthia loyalty to her mother, embarrassment that branches! Isn’t it lovely, Cynthia?" She pressed out the wobbly flame, and hug­ feelings should come so near words, a darted around the pile to push more toward Cynthia, and kissed her with soft, pale lips that trembled against the girl’s ging the portfolio, ran back across the fear of hurting Miss Egert. leaves into the flames. mouth. “Cynthia, don’t let any one stop room. On the threshold she turned for a “Don’t mind so much, Cynthia.” Miss Cynthia strained forward, hugging her you! Keep searching!” She drew back, last glimpse. The row of Botticelli details Egert led the way back to the livingroom. arms to her body. Never had there been over the bookcases were blurred into “You can stay for the bonfire? That will poised for a moment in the shadow before such a fire! It burned through her awk­ she rose. Through Cynthia ran the swift gray in the light of the one remaining be better than sitting here. Run into the wardness, her self-consciousness. It ate feer of white ecstasy, ih e was pledging candle; the Indian rug had a wavering kitchen and bring the matches and marsh­ into the thick, murky veils which hung herself to some tremendous mystery, glow. Then she heard Miss Egert just mallows—in a dish in the cupboard.” always between her and the things she which trembled all about her. outside. Cynthia, in the doorway, stared at Miss struggled to find out. She took a long “Come, Cynthia, we’re wasting our “I’m sorry Cynthia isn’t to come any Egert. Didn't she care at all! Then the breath, and the crisp scent of smoke from more,” she was saying. dumb ache in her throat stopped throb­ coals.” the dead leaves tingled down through her Miss Egert held out her hands. Cynthia, Cynthia stepped forward. The two bing as Miss Egert’s gray eyes held her body. laying hers in them, was drawn to her women stood in the dim light, her steadily a moment. She did care! She Miss Egert was at her side again. feet. As she stood there, inarticulate, full mother’s thickened; settled body stiff did! She was just helping her. Cynthia Cynthia looked up; the slight, asymmetri­ and hostile. Miss Egert’s slight figure took the candle and went back through of a strange, excited, shouting hope, be­ cal figure was like the apple tree, still, yet hind them the path crunched. Miss Egert swaying toward her gently. the passageway to the kitchen, down at dancing! “Cynthia has a good deal to do,” her the very end. turned, and Cynthia shrank back. “Why don’t you paint it?” demanded Her mother stood in the path, making mother answered. “We can’t afford to She made a place on the table in the Cynthia, abruptly, and then was fright­ no response to Miss Egert’s “Good even­ give her painting lessons, especially—” litter of dishes and milk bottles for the ened as Miss Egert’s body stiffened, lost Cynthia moved down between the worn-. candle. The matches had been spilled on ing, Mrs. Bates.” its suggestion of motion. The fire had burned too low to lift the en—“especially," her mother contined, the shelf of the stove and into the sink. “I can’t.” The woman dropped to the shadow from the mother’s face. Cynthia “as she doesn’t seem to get much of any­ Cynthia gathered a handful of the driest. ground beside Cynthia, crumpling a could see the hem of her skirt swaying where. You’d think she’d have some Shiftlessness was one of her mother’s handful of leaves. “It’s too late.” She where it dipped up in front. Above that pictures to show after so many lessons.” counts against Miss Egert. Cynthia looked straight at the fire. “I must be two rigid hands in gray cottong gloves; “Perhaps I’m not a good teacher. Of flushed as she recalled her stumbling de­ content to see it.” She blew the pieces of above that the suggestion of a white, course she’s just beginning.” fense: Miss Egert had more important leaves from the palm of her hand and “She’d better put her time on her things to do; dishes w ere kept in their strained face. smiled at Cynthia. “Perhaps some day Cynthia took a little step toward her. studies." proper place; and her mother’s: “Impor­ you’ll paint it—or write it.” “I’ll miss her. We’ve had some pleas­ tant! Mooning about!" “I came to get my sketches,” she im­ “I can’t paint.” Cynthia’s voice quiv­ plored her. Her throat was dry. What if ant times together.” “Find them, Cynthia?" The clear, low ered. “I want to do something. 1 can’t Cynthia held out her hand toward Miss voice came down the hall, and Cynthia her mother began to say cruel things— even see things except what you point out. the things she had already said at home. Egert, with a fearful little glance at her hurried back. And now—” “1 hope I haven’t kept Cynthia too mother. Out in the garden it was quite black. Miss Egert laid one hand overs “Good-by, Miss Egert.” As they came to the far end, the old stone late,” Miss Egert said. “We were going Cynthia’s clenched fingers. The girl to toast marshmallows. Won’t you have Miss Egert’s cold fingers pressed it an wall made a dark bank against the sky, trembled at the cold touch. instant. with a sharp star over its edge. Miss one, Mrs. Bates?” She pushed the glow­ “You must go on looking." The glow, ing leaf-ashes together. The little spup “Good night, Cynthia,” she said slow­ Egert knelt; almost with the scratch of as the flames died lower, flushed her face. the match the garden leaped into yellow, of flame showed Cynthia her mothers ly. “Cynthia, you’re just beginning. You eyes, hard, angry, resting an instant on Then Cynthia followed her mothers with fantastic moving shadows from the mustn’t stop Just because you aren’t to silent figure along the path; she turned trees and in the corner of the wall. She Miss Egert and then assailing her. come here any more. I don’t know “Cynthia knows she should not be here. her head as they reached the sidewalk. raked leaves over the blaze, pulled the whether you can say things with your Back in the garden winked the red eye of great mound into firmer shape, and then She is not permitted to run about the brush; but you must find them out. You streets alone at night.” the fire. drew Cynthia back under the wall to mustn’t shut your eyes again." They waited under the arc light for the things were hard didn’t matter. Miss There was a hot beating in Cynthia’s “You don’t think—” She stopped car, Cynthia stealing fleeting glances at Egert had insisted upon that. She was throat; she drew back against the couch. struggling with her habit of inarticulate­ her mother’s averted face. On the car forgetting the pledge she had given. The “Pretending to be an artist," her moth­ ness. 'There might be things—not silly— she drooped against the window edge, humiliation slipped away, and a cold ex­ er drove on, “to get young girls who are you might not see what—” away from her mother’s heavy silence. altation trembled through her, a remote foolish enough to listen to her senti­ “Cynthia!” The softness snapped out She was frightened now. a panicky child echo of the hope that had shouted within mentalizing.” of the mother’s voice. caught in disobedience. Once, as the car her back there in the garden. Here it was “She was an artist,” pleaded Cynthia. Cynthia stumbled up to her feet; she turned at the corner below her father’s difficult to know what she had promised, “She gave it up to take care of her father was as tall as her mother. For an instant office, she spoke: to what she had pledged herself^—some­ and mother. I told you all about that—’’ they faced each other, and then the mother “Father will expect me—’’ thing that the familiar, comfortable room “Talking about beauty doesn’t make turned away, her eyes tear-brightened. ’’He knows 1 went after you," was her had no part in. artists." Cynthia put out an awkward hand. mother’s grim answer. She glanced toward the dining room, Cynthia stared at her mother. She had “Mother,” she said piteously, “I’d like Cynthia followed her mother into the and her breath quickened. Between the stepped near the table, and the light to tell you—I’m sorry—” house. Her .small brother was in the sit- faded green portieres stood her mother, through the green shade of the reading- “You’ll have to show me you are by ting-rcx>m, reading. He looked up from watching her with hard, bright eyes. lamp made queer pools of color about what you do.” The woman started weari­ his book with wide, knowing eyes. Re­ Cynthia’s glance faltered; she looked des­ her eyes, in the waves of her dark hair. ly up the stairs. “Go to bed. It’s late.” bellious humiliation washed over perately about the room as if hurrying She didn’t look real. Cynthia threw one Cynthia waited until the bath room Cynthia; setting her lips against their her thoughts to some shelter. Beside her hand up against her lips. She was sucked door closed upon Robert’s splashings. quivering, she pulled off her sweater. on the couch lay the portfolio. She took down and down in an eddy of despair. She climbed the stairs slowly, and shut "Go on to bed, Robert,’’ called her a little step toward it, .stopping at her Her mother’s voice dragged her again to herself into her room. She laid the port­ mother from the entry, where she was mother’s voice. the surface. folio in the bottom drawer of her white hanging her coat. “You've sat up too late “Well, Cynthia, have you anything to “We let you go there because you bureau; then she stood by her window. as it is." say'.’’’ wanted to paint, and you maunder and Outside, the big elm-tree, in fine, leafless He yawned, and dragged his feet with Cynthia lifted her eyes. say things you'd be ashamed to have your dignity, showed dimly against the sky, a provoking slowness past Cynthia. “Don't you think I have trouble enough mother hear. I’ve spent my life working few stars caught in the arch of its ■’Was she down there. Mama?" He with your brothers? You, a grown girl, for you, planning for you, and you go branches. stopped on the bottom step to grin at his defying me! I can’t understand it." running off—“ Her voice broke into a A swift, tearing current of rebellion sister. “1 went down for this." Cynthia new note, a trembling, grieved tone. 'Tve swept away her unhappiness, her con­ "Go on, Robert. Start your bath. touched the black case. always trusted you, depended on you; fused misery; they were bits of refuse in Mother’ll be up in a minute." “Put that down! I don’t want to see it!" now I can’t even trust you.” this new flood. She saw, with a fierce, “Aw, it’s too late for a bath." He The mother’s voice rose, breaking down “1 won’t go there again. 1 had to ex­ young finality that she was pledged to a leaned over the rail. the terrifying silences. “You disobeyed plain.” conflict as well as to a search. As she “It's Saturday. I couldn’t get back me. I told you you weren’t to go there "I can’t believe you. You don’t care knelt by the window and pressed her sooner." again. And then I telephoned your father how you make me feel.” cheek on the cool glass, she felt the house Cynthia swung away from the round, to ask you to do an errand for me, and Cynthia was whirled again down the about her, with its pressure of useful, grinning face. Her mother w'ent past her find you there—with that woman!” sides of the eddy. homely things, as a very prison. No more into the dining room. Robert shuffled up­ “I'm not going again." Cynthia “I can’t believe you care anything for Journey ings down to Miss Egert’s for stairs; she heard the water splashing into twisted her hands together. “I had to go me, your own mother.” glimpses of escape. She must find her the tub. a last time. She was a friend. 1 eould not Cynthia plucked at the braid on her own ways. Keep searching! At the Her mother was very angry with her. tell her I wasn’t coming—’’ cuff. phrase, excitement again glowed within Presently she would come back, would “A friend! A sentimental old maid, “I didn’t do it to make you sorry,” she her; she saw the last red wink of the fire begin to speak. Cynthia shivered. The older than your mother! Is that a friend whispered. “I—it was—” The eddy in the garden.______familiar room seemed full of hostile, ac­ for a young girl? What were you doing closed about her, and with a little gasp cusing silence, like that of her mother. If when 1 found you? Holding hands! Is she dropped down on the couch, burying STUDENT HOMOPHILE LEAGUE only she had come straight home from that the right thing for you? She's turned her head in the sharp angle of her elbows. STATEMENT ON THE LESBIAN the office, she would be sitting by the your head. You aren’t the same Cynthia, The mother took another step toward table in the old Morris chair, reading, running off to her, complaining of your the girl; her hand hovered above the bent with her mother across from her sewing, (This statement was circulated hy the Stu­ mother." head and then dropped. dent Homophile League at Columbia or glancing through the evening paper. “Oh, no!” Cynthia flung out her hand. "You know mother wants Just what is Shet gazed about the room at the neat University in New York City during “We were Just talking." Her misery con­ best for you, don’t you? I can’t let you March, 1969, and is reprinted here with scrolls of the brown wall paper, at a pic­ fused her. drift away from us, your head full of silly permission.) ture above the couch, cows by a stream. "Talking? About what?" notions." The dull, ordinary comfort of life there “About—’’ The recollection rushed Cynthia’s shoulders Jerked. From the Like the male homosexual, the Lesbian hung about her, a reproaching shadow, through Cynthia—“about beauty." She head of the stairs came Robert’s shout: within which she felt the heavy, silent dis­ is engaged through various organizations winced, a flush sweeping up to the edge “Mama, tub’s full!” in a struggle for equal treatment regardless comfort her transgression dragged after it. of her fair hair, at her mother’s laugh. “Yes; I’m coming.” It would be much easier to go on just as of sexual orientation, in all areas of life— “Beauty! You disobey your mother, Cynthia looked up. She was not cry­ socially, vocationally, and as a citizen. she was expected to do. Easier. The girl ing. About her eyes and nostrils strained hurt her, to talk about beauty at night However, she is a victim of double dis- straightened her drooping body. That with an old maid!" the white intensity of hunger. years. That same year, 1952, Fawcett crimination because a) she is a woman As with the male homosexual, the fear limitations. Few of them would qualify as and b) she is homosexual As a member of good in a literary sense, although the bet­ published two much more sympathetic of discovery limits the Lesbian's choice of and considerably less sensational titles, these two minority groups, her basic desire careers. ter range from competently to quite well- written. Plot-wise they became monoto­ Nancy Morgan’s City o f Women and is to be accepted as a human being first In a society where all women are seen nous since, as one non-fiction reading Fay Adams’ Appointment in Paris. Nan­ and given her rightful place in society. primarily as sex objects by the heterosex­ friend of mine once remarked, “There are cy Morgan’s book was a “women in war” The present percentage of Lesbianism is ual male, and are judged primarily for unknown. Like her male counterpart, the just so many ways to tell the same love title. Fay Adams’ book remains one of looks and only .secondarily for intellectu­ the better minor titles—oddly it was not female homosexual leads a very private al ability, the Lesbian is often in a state story.” In 1966 it seems clear that the era of much noticed and never reprinted. A life and is reluctant to reveal her orienta­ of rebellion against the male attitude. As good Lesbian paperbacks is about over. good sound copy of it today is worth $5. tion. Because of the double standard in a person, she refuses to place herself in upbringing, a very large percentage of The increased freedom in literary expres­ In 1954, Ace Books brought out Wilene a position of submission to the “domi­ sion (ironically assisted by these paper­ Shaw’s The Fear and The Guilt. This American women are sexually repressed or nant," "aggressive” male. The theory that "frigid." Many women never enjoy sex, backs) has pretty thoroughly obliterated was a miserably unhappy book but the all a Lesbian needs is a “good man" (or a the need for paperback novels exclusively unusual setting and characters make it a even after many years of marriage. It is good sexual experience with aman) is fal­ therefore impossible to tell what the per­ dealing with Lesbians. It is interesting, stand-out even today. It is Lesbian love, lacious. Homosexual orientation, in the also, to note that now that the Lesbian hillbilly style, and well handled. centage of Lesbianism would be in our so­ male or in the female, is practically im­ ciety, should this situation (the double field is dying (at least those with some 1955 saw the first of the noisy nasty possible to change, nor do most homo­ actual merit), the male homosexual pa­ titles of the brilliant, but deliberately standard) be changed. sexuals desire to change. Since exclusive Lesbians cannot ful­ perback original is becoming a booming cruel, Ann Aldrich. Her We Walk Alone, The Lesbian on campus experiences business. It will be enjoyable to watch Fawcett Gold Medal, became a best-seller fill themselves through families and chil­ many social problems. She does not feel dren. they often feel a strong drive to self- the end of this trend as well, when the fast and still has an audience although part of the group when the other girls hardback field opens the way to more one wonders why. (Ann Aldrich is also fulfillment through a career. Employment discuss dating, engagemi '.t and marriage. and salary discrimination hit them hard­ complete male homosexual novels. Vin Packer.) There is familial and social pressure The good Lesbian paperbacks served a John Wyndham’s lovely science fiction er than any other class of women except placed on her to get married, which often blacks, since they cannot depend on a definite purpose by satisfying vicariously tale. Consider Her Ways, was published leads to great unhappiness when she dis­ the need for “happy endings" which are by Ballantine in 1956. This was about a husband’s income. As students, Lesbians covers her true nature. Her social life is therefore need help in preparing them­ so often lacking in the more literate treat­ world of women only and it is a good limited by the lack of facilities where she ments of the subject. They also provided book if a wee bit far out for serious con­ selves to be their own breadwinners. They can be herself. may need special guidance to prepare for generally youthful, theoretically romantic sideration in this column. During these a rewarding career and to deal with the The Student Homophie League, whose Figures and contemporary settings. To first six years from 1950 to 1956, some pr.iblems of being homosexual in our so­ membership includes homosexuals, bi­ some extent they were responsible for others appeared, too poor to mention ciety. Since the realization of one’s sexual sexuals and heterosexuals, is designed to better public relations with the general here and the general forerunners of to­ orientation often occurs during the college assist the male and female homosexual in public. day’s several-a-year all tripe type. years, the Lesbian may experience prob­ their struggle for equal rights in our so­ The first to appear was, ironically, one The year 1957 began the big boom lems of adjustment at this crucial time. ciety. of the finest. Women’s Barracks, by Te- which foreshadowed the inevitable satu­ reska Torres, Fawcett Gold Medal, 1950, ration point. Titles began to vary and at etc. This has become very well known the same time the “set pattern” sympa­ by Gene Damon and it is reprinted every year or so. It thetic and contemporary titles began to once was the subject of intense censor­ appear. New writers came on the scene ship. This appears rather funny in view and became quite famous in a few years’ THE LESBIAN PAPERBACK of the dozens of later titles. The story time. One of the first books of that year deals with life in the French women’s was Odd Girl Out, by Ann Bannon, pub­ ( This article first appeared in two parts paperbound, except for special editions, army during the 1940’s and treats lesbian­ lished by Fawcett Gold Medal. Set in a in the June and July, 1966 issues o f TAN­ though they are usually printed on good ism from several angles, quite honestly college, as so many are, this began a se­ GENTS MAG AZIN E, and is reprinted stock with margins suitable for rebind­ and sympathetically. Tereska Torres has ries of titles which rest on the bookshelf with permission. There A increasing de­ ing. In 1939, the paperback industry, as gone on to produce a string of succesrful of virtually every even faintly literate mand for copies o f the old paperbacks we know it now, began in the United hardcover novels, all variant or Lesbian Lesbian. Ann Bannon can write com­ petently and can hold the reader’s atten­ from the "good" days o f the middle States; and it has grown to be one of the to some extent. tion. This first novel does not compare I950’s and early I960's. and many re­ biggest factors in publishing. Vin Packer’s highly unsympathetic, with her later ones; though it had all of quest information as to which are recom­ From the publisher’s standpoint, of but very well-written Spring Fire was the requirements: youth, sex, love, sex, mended. Hopefully, this article may be course, the large number of Lesbian published by Fawcett Gold Medal in hope, sex, and no real lack of sympathy. o f some assistance to those o f you spend­ paperback originals is a “strictly for 1952. This was one of the first to incorpo­ ing time in the second-hand paperback rate the specific sexual scenes generally Some touches of psychological insight money" proposition. The vast majority began creeping into the titles about then stores.) of these titles are pointless filth—too included for several years and it was a best-seller. Today it simply wouldn t and this added fuel to the selling fire. poor to even consider censoring—and are A little later in 1957, Valerie Taylor The boom in publishing today is the have the appeal it did then because of directed to a voyeur-minded, heterosex­ began her career with Whisper Their paperback novel. It is not new, except ual male audience. Beginning in 1950, subsequent developments in the field, but it was quite a pioneer and influenced Love, Fawcett Gold Medal. This one relatively, and it is not indigenous to the however, a small nucleus of “good” titles stuck to the leave them miserable at the United States. In Europe most books are appeared. They were good within specific Fawcett’s Gold Medal line of books for end trend, but was a good start. Taylor dramatic, but polemically sympathetic. out-does Bannon literary-wise but missed Since then, she has varied so widely that the audience because she did not develop she cannot be judged. On the one hand, book. Salem can make the peanut gal­ well as it began it would be the all time a continuing character until late in her she has several excellent novels in the lery weep. Christian plots very well and best in paperbacks. career and. as all TV fans know, this is field but she has also written several of Taylor writes on a par with Gale Wil­ Ann Bannon's fourth and fifth titles. the road to success. But Valerie Taylor the most degrading titles. Miss Hastings helm. Somehow Artemis fell short. Journey To A Woman and The Mar­ remains the finest writer in the group. is the Jekyl-Hyde of the field. Valerie Taylor’s second novel The riage, both published by Fawcett Gold Three other interesting books ap­ By 1959 the boom was a landslide and Girls in 3-B. published by Fawcett Crest, Medal in 1960, dispelled any thought of peared in 1957, but interesting for widely Just checking the hundreds of titles be­ also appeared in 1959. Where her first failure inspired by the third book in the divergent reasons. The first, Reed Marr's came a full-time job. The first book out book was beautifully-written and not series. The inclusion of an excellent char­ iViihoiit Men, again published was a kind of block-buster and still is; / sympathetic (the tide hadn't really turned acter, Jack Mann, in these titles make by Gold Medal, was one of the 10 paper­ Am A Woman, by Ann Bannon, Fawcett in 1957 and bad endings were required) them all of interest to the male audience. back best-sellers of the year among ALL Gold Medal, 1959. This, the second of the The Girb In 3-B was very pro-Lesbian Somewhere in this article mention of publishing companies. This is its only Bannon series, introduced her larger- and was equally well-written. This was Sheldon Lord's entertainments is neces­ claim to fame, however, for it is a biased than-life, swaggering butch, Beebo still the days of too much sex in the nov­ sary. This is a male-oriented writer who and vituperative study. (Ann Bannon's Brinker, who carries off a barroom seduc­ els, even the good ones. For a few years writes anti- and pro-Lesbian novels ap­ much superior title, Odd Girl Oui, was tion scene that is surely a classic. the field was quite unevenly split, with parently effortlessly (dozens of them). Fawcett Gold Medal's second-best title Right on the heels of Bannon's second about 15 to 20 titles not worth mention­ Many contain good portraits—for ex­ in sales in 1957. Considering these two title, Fawcett Crest brought out Paula ing for each good one. This was fine, the ample, A Woman Must Love, Mid wood titles and their selling success, it is no Christian's first novel. Edge o f Twilight. good writers could get into print and Tower, 1960. wonder that the company continued until Compared to Bannon’s book, it made less could push some rather strong propa­ Carol In A Thousand Cities, by Ann recently to be the leading paperback pub­ splash, but it was as good a title, and in ganda along with entertainment. From Aldrich, Fawcett Gold Medal, 1960, was lisher in that particular field.) The next some respects, better. The women in­ 1960 until 1963 a number of the more Miss Aldrich’s third attempt to run down title was a mystery whose claim to fame volved were somewhat more adult, and experienced writers in the field cut out a her relatives. In many ways she failed in was having a wholly-Lesbian cast. Mur­ this alone was an improvement. good bit of the bedroom activity which her effort since the book is primarily an der In Monaco, by John Flagg, Fawcett had somewhat marred the earlier books. anthology and although her personal con­ Lesbian paperback production didn’t tributions were as unpleasant as ever, she Gold Medal (of course). To say the very let-down in 1959. Right after, the first Many other titles of value appeared in did include some of the finer items writ­ least it was anti-Lesbian but it was a rath­ Christian book, a novel, Chris published 1959. March Hastings published several ten by others in the field. er wild departure from the not-so-long- by Beacon, appeared. Randy Salem is the of her now up, now down, books. Ann Several dozen titles appeared, primari­ ago dictum that mysteries must not con­ author of several books which are most Bannon’s third title and poorest. Women cern sex or controversial topics. The third In The Shadows, Fawcett Gold Medal, ly between 1957 and 1962, which fail into easily described as soap operas for Les­ the worthless category because of too title was the very beautiful Kinn Of A bians. Her people aren’t very real though seemed to be the end of the Bannon se­ Rainy Country, by Brigid Brophy, ries. Fortunately, this was not the case. much melodrama, too much sex, violence, they are fun to read about. Chris, in a sadism, etc. . . . but which also contain Knopf, 1957. This book is as interesting way, was a second Beebo Brinker. She Another odd debut came in 1959, when Sloane M. Britian’s first novel. First Per­ some good elements. An example of these to male homosexuals as to Lesbians and failed as a heroine to attract as large an son, Third Sex, Newsstand Library, ap­ many novels which fall into a kind of lim­ it is cheating in a sen.se to list it here audience because she did possess place, peared. The book featured adults in the bo between the top and the bottom (liter­ since it deserved and soon earned a hard­ position and brains. Bannon wisely made back publication. 30 to 70 year range, a very unusual facet ally and figuratively) in the field is The Beebo in the fashion of Western héros, Censored Screen, by Brian Dunn, News­ 1958 started with Ann Aldrich's sec­ foot-loose and fancy-free. Chris had for a paperback since most of them fea­ ond controversial title. We Too, Must ture young people in line with the Ameri­ stand Library, 1960. The book features so qualms, and so she failed just a little, but much junk it’s actually silly but, buried Love, Fawcett Gold Medal. This in­ it was an excellent beginning for Randy can youth-cult idea. It was a welcome creased her audience and made her a dis­ Salem. change to read about people with mature in all this, is a constructive, romantic and cussion topic in every Lesbian house­ concerns such as jobs and futures. This very moving love story. About tbe same Another debut of 1959 was author hold, however, unflattering the discus­ book was so good that the many poor time many well-known professional pulp Artemis Smith with Odd Girl, Beacon. sion may have been. A second science titles which later came from the pen of writers, with acknowledged plotting abil­ This was an unusually good book, and fiction title devoted entirely to Lesbian­ Sloane Britain are not explainable. Her ity, got on the Lesbian literature band- wagon—some ot them (those with some ism appeared; Charles Eric .Maine's Miss Smith followed it a little later that case is similar in this respect to that of ^m e year with The Third Sex, also pub­ rudimentary knowledge of feminine psy­ World Without Men, Ace Books, 1958. March Hastings, but Hastings never did chology) doing a creditable job. An ex­ This one had its silly .side, though, and lished by Beacon. These were so good, produce even one book as good as Sloane that her third and last book to date was a ample of this group is Scandal In Subur­ failed to come up to the expectations of Britain’s first novel. bia, by Gardner F. Fox, Hillman Books, the beginning of the book. Vin Packer, dreadful disappointment. Unlike other From 1960 to 1962 the quantity of titles the evil alter ego of Miss Aldrich, pro­ authors who go on to greater heights. became enormous, ranging in the hun­ 1960. Miss Smith never topped her first two dreds each year, but the good ones re­ 1961 brought Artemis Smith’s third duced the nasty but well done. The Evil and last book to date. As mentioned pre­ Friend.ship, Fawcett Gold Medal, 1958. books. After the third, she simply stopped mained small in quantity—growing pro­ viously it was very poor, despite a sympa­ An author who has since proved to be writing. This was sad because she wrote portionately, of course, but few enough to very well, better than Bannon or Salem or be within the book budget of any collec­ thetic outlook and her undeniable writing an enigma was introduced that year. talent. The plot was pure hokum, and the March Hasting's first Lesbian title. Christian and nearly as well as Valerie tor. Taylor. Once again it was a matter of The third Valerie Taylor book ap­ title. This Bed Was Made, (Monarch) Three Women, Beacon, was excellent seemed an ironic jibe at the author. in handling, poorly plotted and too melo- gimic. Bannon has an all-star cast full of peared in 1960, Stranger On Lesbos, Faw­ familiar figures who go from book to cett Crest. The first half of this book is Randy Salem’s The Unfortunate Flesh, moving and literate and had it ended as Midwood Tower, 1960, 1961, continued yet apparent in 1959. 1964 did have the usual complement of her happy-ending soap operas, and this for a quality market. The bones left in filthy titles, hundreds of them, and per­ this edition are bleak beside the original, My Sister. My Love, by Miriam Gard­ one introduced a rival to Beebo Brinker ner, published by Monarch, included haps a dozen “passing fair" entries, in Jesse Cannon, a six-foot aristocrat. but the story is miles beyond the average easily read, easily forgotten. paperback in depth psychology and char­ mild Lesbian incest, always a question­ Unfortunately, Salem never used Jesse able subject, but was very well-written. 1965 opened with Valerie Taylor’s Cannon in a subsequent novel. acter motivation. Journey To Fulfillment, Midwood Tow­ Two good titles came from the pen of Randy Salem had two entries for the An excellent first novel, never honored year: Honeysuckle and The Sex Between, ers. This novel belongs in the belated se­ by a second, appeared in 1961, Twilight the soap opera girl, Randy Salem, who ries Miss Taylor created toward the end could have, with persistance, risen from both published by Midwood Tower. The Girl, by Della Martin, published by Bea­ former was very good, the latter only so- of her career. con. The quality in this makes it possible that category. Both Tender Torment and The history of this series is peculiar The Soft Skin published by Midwood so. Honeysuckle convincingly examined to believe that Della Martin is the pseud­ the “dog days” possible in any kind of enough to warrant outlining it here. onym of an established author. In any Tower in 1962, are well worth owning. The first novel of the series. Stranger On The Flesh Is Willing, by Dorcas marriage, a different approach and a wel­ case. Twilight Girl includes references come relief from the overuse of glam­ Lesbos (1960), introduced Frances Ollen- to obscure literature, etc., that one does Knight, Midwood Tower, utilizes the field as one of the two major characters. Southern small town setting and lush at­ orous surroundings in lieu of talent. not expect in a paperback original. Ann Aldrich launched her last dam­ In the sequel, Return To Lesbos (1964), Both Sloanc M. Britain and March mosphere to bolster the effectiveness of Frances ends up happily with Erika Froh- the slight story. Professional writer Bon­ nation, We Two Won’t Last, Fawcett Hastings continued their prolific output, Gold Medal, but it was mellower than the mann. Then in the next book. World With­ each contributing several titles in 1960 nie Golightly (who sued Truman Capote out Men (1964) Erika Frohmann’s life over his novel. Breakfast At Tiffany's) earlier titles and not so unwelcome. and 1961, ranging from very poor to fair­ A minor but good enough March just PRIOR to meeting Frances is ex­ ly good. Britain's These Curious Pleas­ contributed The Shades Of Evil, Hill­ plored. In the final novel. Journey To man Books, which also used the South­ Hasting’s title. The Heat of Day, Mid­ ures, Midwood Tower, 1961, is clearly wood Tower, and Valerie Taylor’s Unlike Fulfillment (1965) Erika’s early life from ern exposure technique. This one is as auto-biographical. (She subsequently Others, also published by Mid wood childhood on is covered. So the series was committed suicide.) important to the male audience as the Tower, rounded out the declining year. inverted in time; a very poor way to hold Paula Christian had two novels in female and is, incidentally, an excellent Nothing needs to be said about the Hast­ an audience, and it failed to be as interest­ 1961: Another Kind Of Love, published mystery. ings’ book but Valerie Taylor’s title was ing as it undoubtedly would have been had by Fawcett Crest, and Love Is Where You Ann Bannon’s last (to date) of her per­ poorly-plotted and saved only by her the order been reversed. Find It, published by Avon. These two sonal series of novels, Beebo Brinker, writing skill. established her as one of the really im­ Fawcett Gold Medal, was a sad failure. Ironically, the year 1964, which really Paula Christian had two novels pub­ portant contributors. The books ap­ It is mentioned here only because Ban­ proved the sun was setting on this special lished in 1965, The Other Side Of Desire. peared within weeks of each other. Love non’s books must all be read for the cor­ genre, opened with Valerie Taylor’s Re­ Paperback Library, and Amanda. Bel­ Is Where You Find It over-shadowed rect impression. Actually, the most inter­ turn To Lesbos, published by Midwood mont Books. Both were far below her Another Kind Of Love because it was esting years in the life of the fabulous Tower. This was the almost necessary usual standards. That they were better very reminiscent of Gale Wilhelm’s Beebo have not yet been told—the time sequel to the 1960 title. Stranger On Les­ than hundreds of others that year isn t necessarily a recommendation. Torchlight To Valhalla, not in style, but between her first successful affair with bos. The sequel was lovely, romantic, There were a few others worth reading in story line. Paula Christian definitely Paula and her famous seduction of Laura much happier and, as one had come to ex­ such as March Hastings' Abnormal Wife, out-plots the other major writers in the in the second book of the series, ! Am A pect from Valerie Taylor, beautifully field though she is not nearly as good a Woman. written—but the magic missed somehow Softcover Library, and Women Like Me, writer as Valerie Taylor. During their The unsympathetic but fascinating and it was less than the original. And on by Donna Richards, Lancer Books. One really good novel. Enough Of Sor­ peak years, a marriage of their talents Harriet, by Tom Karsell, Avon, 1962, an even more downhill note, this book row, by Jill Emerson, Midwood Tower, might have been fortuitous for both of uses the multiple viewpoint technique was followed by A World Without Men, mercifully brightened a generally sad them. to portray a stunner—bitch, butch and by Valerie Taylor, also published by The last big year for Lesbian paper­ all—but quite a girl. picture. Midwood Tower, in which the action The era began in 1950 and ended in backs was 1962, and the number of good The crowning novel of 1962 was Shir­ pre-dates Return To Lesbos from an en­ titles was truly remarkable. There were so ley Verel’s The Dark Side o f Venus, tirely different standpoint. It was well- 1965. Hopefully, in many memories, many that only a few can be mentioned Bantam. Sadly, this was a hardback in some names will remain bright for years written, but out of step. to come: Valeric Taylor, Ann Bannon, here. Joan Ellis' In The Shadows, pub­ England and thus falls outside the scope The only other paperback of enduring Paula Christian and one or two others. lished by Midwood Tower, was well of the article because it was only stupidity value from 1964 was Twilight Lovers, by done, and the characterizations in her on the part of the American publishers Miriam Gardner. Monarch. 1964. But for now; Ave Atque Vale! book. Gay Girl, also published in 1962 that kept this out of hardcover in this by Mid wood Tower, were excellent. An country. CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? unusual approach coupled with slick Although several of the better writers writing marked My Lovely Adele, by in the field contributed books in 1963, If you ar6 planning to move, please let us knovK six weeks before Adrian Bennett, Avon, 1962. This one the end of the era was in sight and the changing your address. Please send your old address and your new ad­ made use of a male narrator successfully number of good titles dropped sharply. —a very difficult approach. Paula Christian’s This Side Of Love, dress clearly marked. You MUST include your new zip code. Help us to Miriam Gardner’s The Strange Wom­ Avon, 1963, was a sequel to her first be certain your copy of THE LADDER reaches you promptly. REMEMBER, en, Monarch Books, 1962, was over­ novel. Edge Of Twilight (1959), though plotted. This is doubly unfortunate since her fourth paperback appearance. It was third class mail is not forwardable. Send to CIRCULATION DEPART­ in its original manuscript form it was and is an excellent novel, helped by lit­ MENT, 1005 Market Street, Room 208, San Francisco, Ca 94103. many hundred pages longer and intended erary freedoms in 1963 which were not by Florence Conrad, Rêsearch Director, DOB no significance in relation to their sexual experiences, most of these homosexual orientation.” Rather, dating back to preadolescence. FIRST REPORT ON THE subjects reported that their desires They note further that heterosexual WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SEX ALONE NOT ENOUGH preceded such experience. None, psychological responses never oc­ RESEARCH ON LESBIANS as adults, reported a sexual experi­ cur in the majority of the subjects, ence with a partner under age despite considerable heterosexual In 1966 the Department of Psy­ on age, socioeconomic and marital eighteen. For 97%, the first experi­ chiatry of the School of Medicine status, etc. of the subjects. Much of experience. ence with an adult took place after at Washington University in St. this will seem unremarkable to the The authors arc impressed subject was sixteen years old. “It Louis began to develop a research average LADDER reader (though enough! with this aspect of their was apparent from these findings study of homosexuality with the not to all). 1 am thinking here of study to make an interesting and deliberate intention of using only the statistics on homosexual prac­ that female homosexuals do not significant recommendation: They seek out minors or children.” subjects who had not been hospi­ tices predominating), on mean suggest that overt sexual experi­ talized for psychiatric reasons nor number of partners and relation­ The interview data on numbers ence not he used alone (without imprisoned in a state or a federal ships (relatively few for most sub­ of partners and number and quali­ emotional or psychological re­ prison. This plan brought them jects), on active vs. passive role ty of relationships lead the authors sponse) as a criterion for the classi­ into working relations with a DOB (most subjects were not committed to conclude that “homosexual fication of homosexuality. Doing chapter and into correspondence to a rigid role), and other matters. women tend to be relatively stable otherwise, they observe, may be with the DOB national organiza­ As might have been guessed, the in their relationships and faithful misleading when it counts in the tion. In the following year, ar­ subjects were relatively young, to their lovers.” For example, an homosexual category—schizo­ rangements were worked out by of higher than average socioeco­ overwhelming majority reported phrenics, for example, or socio- Dr. Eli Robins and intensive inter­ nomic status, had the usual reli­ relationships of over a year in pathic personalities who do not views carried out by Dr. Marcel gious backgrounds, most had never duration; and in those relation­ have basic homosexual responses Saghir with DOB members and married. ships 84% were faithful to their part­ despite their overt actions. The friends. (Some female homosexuals Findings ners through the duration of an af­ homosexual behavior of such per­ were also contacted through other Among the findings, recommen­ fair. Jealousy (attributed to Les­ sons, say our authors, “is classifi­ channels.) Of the 61 women inter­ dations, and observations ’ made by bians in pathological degree by able in the context of their total viewed, four were eliminated be-, the authors, several are worthy of some doctors) was the reason for pathology— and not the pathology cause they had been at some time particular notice: the break-up of an affair in only in terms of the deviant sexual be­ in a mental hospital. First, their insistence on non- 7% of the cases. havior." Robins and Saghir are The first fruits of this work are hospitalizcd, non-criminal subjects The relatively high educational saying here that schizophrenics en­ now in print; The February 1969 goes beyond their own study. “We and training status of the sample gage in homosexual activity not issue of the ARCHIVES OF GEN­ hope" they say “that this non-psy- suggests to the authors “an indica­ because they have an emotional ERAL PSYCHIATRY carries an chiatrically hospitalized and non­ tion of reasonably adequate func­ homosexual response, but because article, the first of a series on criminal sample will serve as a tioning,” and that a homosexual their own basically heterosexual homosexuality, entitled “Sexual baseline for fiiture investigations.” woman may be “able to produce orientation has been diverted by Behavior of the Female Homosex­ Second, they adjure, at least in and achieve, despite any psycho­ their "illness." Instead of classify­ ual,” by Drs. Saghir and Robins. this opening article, theoretical logical and social handicaps she ing these people as homosexuals This opening article is of consider­ assumptions or hypotheses: “We might have to cope with.” who arc schizophrenic, they might able interest to homophiles for its were interested in the study of Psychological Responses Stressed better be classed as schizophrenics refreshingly modest aims and its homosexuality in order to describe The most notable thing about who carry on homosexual activity. willingness to question common systematically its developmental this article to me is the attention The category “homosexual," our beliefs and procedures. and behavioral aspects.” Drs. Robins and Saghir give to authors arc suggesting, should be Essentially the paper reports Of considerable interest is the psychological and emotional re­ restricted to those persons who data on the sexual behavior and re­ conclusion the article draws from sponses, despite the more obvious behave homoscxually and who sponses of the 57 females included the data on initiation into Les­ (or visible) concern of the article have homosexual emotional re­ in the study (55 of whom were bianism: “About 96% of the sub­ with physical behavior. They note sponses. In this connection, they point out that none of the 61 fe­ predominantly homosexual). It jects stated that their first sexual that 100% of the sample report emo­ also gives background information experience with an adult was of tional attachments in their homo­ males interviewed (of whom 57 were included in the study) was previously favored by medical by Gene Damon schizophrenic, and that all 55 of the research, and in the direction of predominantly homosexual sub­ the lesser-known but probably jects gave history of both psycho­ more numerous common garden LESBIANA logical responses and overt experi­ variety of homosexual. They are ence. not the first whose work indicates “Am I a woman or a would-be boy? Nothing special but ok at paperback cost. The importance of this sugges­ an interest in this kind of shift, but Am I a male homosexual in a woman’s Heroine Taylor is haunted by the death tion to homophiles is very consid­ they are a welcome addition to the body? Who ami...," just some of the of a child, and is “adopted” by Mia Far­ songs of Sam, in SAM’S SONG, by erable; Many professionals tend to list. row, who then proceeds to attempt to in­ Shirley Schoonover, N. Y., Coward-Mc- troduce sexuality into the relationship. bolster or found their opinions on We shall look forward with in­ Cann, 1969. Sam Stanley is a girl, a wom­ At the same time, however, she is chasing homosexuality on observations terest to later installments of their an, a Dane, an orphan with real parents— the male lead, Mitchum, who is supposed which suffer from the kind of over­ work. unloved, unloving, and aware of the situ­ to be Taylor’s property. Mixed up group ation. For 190 borrowing pages Sam de­ . . . (Entire writing history of this was inclusion Drs. Robins and Saghir livers, the real Sam, the "shit” Sam, but arc talking about. Of course the ap­ amusing, originally a story by Marco all Sam. Is Sam a Lesbian? She says she Denevi, then a screenplay by George propriate basis for classifications is (Editor's Note: The article on isn’t in about three places, and gives Tabori, and finally the novel.) a thorny question in any field. But, which this summary is based is some rather detailed explanation for why I spent a whole evening reading and she is not. We are left, however, with if adopted, the Robins-Saghir sug­ highly recommended reading for browsing through 100 YEAR.S OF THE gested change in classification, as Sam’s own conclusion, as she dresses as AMERICAN FEMALE . . . edited by those of you with access to a public, a boy and goes off to cruise the male gay Jane Trahey, and published by Harper's well as their entire methodology, college or university library carry­ bars, there to accidentally meet a lover Bazaar, through Random House, 1967, will help to shift the focus of at­ ing the periodical, ARCHIVES OF she has thought was her heterosexual and I sincerely hope that many of you will tention away from the exotic cases GENERAL PSYCH!A TR Y.) boyfriend. He picks up a very attractive reward yourselves with a similar evening. man . . . Miss Schoonover is remini- Almost every library will have this scient of Canada's wonderful new novel- (though it is large and expen.sive and may istic talent, Leonard Cohen, and those already be remaindered and thus, a little who enjoyed his THE BEAUTIFUL more easily available). Acclaimed by: LOSERS will probably like this. On November 2, 1867 a new magazine " It might have been this year's best-selling book—if only A reader brought to my attention the was born, dedicated to the proposition enough copies were available to meet the demand." book COFFEE, TEA OR ME?, by Trudy that all women are created better . . . and AVAILABLE ONCE AGAIN IN A NEW, EXPANDED Baker and Rachel Jones, N.Y., Bartholo­ with such a premise, how could they EDITION' mew House, 1967, Bantam, 1968. It isn’t miss? Miss Trahey’s selection and edit­ Acclaimed by; important enough or real enough to even ing in this book provides us with a glori­ put in the statistics, but it should be men­ ous and very balanced look at women in " ..the 'hottest' tome making the show biz rounds now­ tioned because one of the chapters has America from 1867 to 1967. All of the adays is Angelo d'Arcangelo's 'The Homosexual Har>dbook.' f..There's no camouflage or guesswork involved,the book some pretty unpleasant things to say aspects covered in Harper’s Bazaar are names names. about another of the homophile publi­ touched on here in microcosm, with the now Gotham-based G»rodias--or anyone else for that cations. It doesn’t name the publication extra emphasis on the quality aspects of matter has never 'gone further' than with the 'Handbook,' and I won’t either, but it is a nasty snide the magazine. Rcadcis will want to notice "...discusses...homosexual bars...They really exist as he names them..." bit of business. About what you expect Sarah Bernhardt in her tailored pants from the kind of book that is made a best­ suit, a photograph taken in 1869, quite seller by the people who ordinarily do awhile before Marlene Dietrich, Mercedes

...one of its (Olympia's) fastest selling titles...." not read anything except the daily paper. de Acosta and Garbo were trotting Yet another in the endles.s list of mov­ around in them. An article by Amelia ies using some sort of erotic hook in­ Earhart on flying garb, and pages of the volving two women because they've fashions of the 1920’s and I930’s, and the Gemlemen: Please rush my copy of THE HOMOSEXUAL learned (they being producers and others broad shouldered look of the early 1940’s. HANDBOOK. I enclose $2.25 plus 1W for postage and interested in money) that this draws large The first section of literature reprinted There has never been a book Uke THt HOMOSEXUAL handling. This entitles me to receive your new. illustrated h a n d b o o k bv Angelo dArcangt-lo Available al all catalogue absolutely free! audiences of heterosexual males . . . “Se­ from the magazine includes the explicit bookstores An Opheha Piess Special Or use the hancty cret Ceremoney” would therefore be the story, "Life Sentence”, by Kay Boyle, coupon to order J ust rt-m it $ 7 2 5 plus Ulf fyr postage better title for SECRET CEREMONY, which is the pertinent chapter from her and handling and receive in add tion our new bvaut.fully illustrated catalogue ABSOLUTELY fREF starring Mia Farrow, Liz Taylor and novel, MONDAY NIGHT, and this first Robert Mitchum. Capitalizing on the suc­ appeared in Harper’s Bazaar in 1938 . . . cess of the movie, it has been novelized After the first literature section we go (the book written from the script, a back­ oh to more women in pants, literary quips wards but increasingly frequent way) by and in-jokes to an unusual drag item on William Hughes, Awards Books, 1968. page 99. Back to flying on page 100 with Covici edition was limited to 750 copies to the novels of Ernest Borneman. in that Jacqueline Cochran and a delightful his second. and very attractively illustrated (as is the both types are in some way concerned still of Katherine Hepburn dressed for her The London publisher, Charles Skil- 1968 edition). No longer an underground with Lesbianism, but that none of these silly movie on Karhart. ca 1940. ton. Ltd., has brought out a fine edition novel (it has been very very rare) THE novels are likely to appeal to Lesbians. Sprinkled through the book are photo­ of Sappho's extant poetry, extensively re­ Wtl.D PARTY achieved the epitome in .Mr. Borneman, of course, writes almost graphs. dozens of them, of celebrities and worked by poet Beram Saklatvala. The dull respectability when a long article on exclusively about men who fancy them­ neo-celebrities, many of them by Richard book, published in late 1968, is very beau­ itS' history appeared in the February 2, selves as “male" Lesbians . . . and his Avedon. tifully bound and worth the enormous 1969 NEW YORK TIMES BOOK RE­ novels are more likely to be read by this The second literature section includes tariff of 50 shillings. The publisher did VIEW SECTTION. As the title implies, audience than Mr. Ghiotto’s. Jane Bowles Lesbian short story, “Camp not provide the exact cost in American tbe novel treats of the lives and loves of Free lancer Arthur Prager contributed Cataract,” which first appeared in the money, and, in any case, for those of the denizens of a “wild" party, 1920’s a long article in the SATURDAY RE­ magazine in 1949. you who will want this, it's best you write style, and Mr. March included both men VIEW, January 25, 1969, on Nancy Drew, W. W. Norton and Co., publishers of directly to the publisher at 50 Alexandra and female homosexuals in his “wicked” that beloved heroine of almost all recent .May Sarton, have reprinted her first auto­ Road, London, S. W., 19, England. SAP­ tale, quite explicitly for the times. Mostly childhoods. If you are among the fans of biography, I KNEW A PHOENIX, be­ PHO OF LESBOS. HER WORKS RE­ for fun . . . the various Carolyn Keene books (1 re­ cause of the popularity of the recent, STORED, actually contains all of Sap­ THE GODS ARE NOT MOCKED, by member my mother being warned that if PLANT DREAMING DEEP. The new pho's writing, plus the imaginative addi­ Anna Taylor, N. Y., M orrow , 1968, is an 1 read them I would not be a reader W'hen edition of 1 KNEW A PHOENIX (1969) tion of Mr. Saklatvala, a concise and excellent novel for the historical novel I grew up . . .), this article is must read­ has photographs . . . and that makes it a oddly unsatisfactory biographical sketch, fan, but is also so substantially and be­ ing. Mr. Prager gingerly hints at the Les­ must even if you have the first edition. and the wholly irrelevant “Sappho To lievably Lesbian in part that those of you bian characteristics of Nancy Drew's And if you missed ABSOLUTE BE­ Phaon” by the Roman poet, Ovid. The who normally avoid these like plague will friend, George Payne (a girl). Those GINNERS by Colin .Maclnnes, when it latter is pretty questionable since Sap­ definitely want this. In 55 B.C., the faithful among you who remember the old first came out here in 1960 (London, Mac- pho’s connection with Phaon is probably Romans first tried to conquer Britain, title, THE SIGN OF THE TWISTED Gibbon & Kee, 1959, N.Y., .Macmillan, the least true recreation of her life, though and it is against this historical back­ CANDLES, will even recall that there is 1960), it is available in a trilogy, THE historians have worked hard to saddle her ground that Mrs. Taylor has located her a scene that generates a fair amount of LONDON NOVELS OF COLIN MAC- with this event to lake away the “onus" of novel. The first half of the book is de­ warmth—unusual in a book for pre and INNE.S. N.Y., Farrar, Strau.s and having to admit that the greatest lyric voted to the attempted invasion of early teen years. Mr. Prager docs not Grioux, 1969. poet of all time was not only a female, Britain, and is not important here. The mention this latter fact, but then it is Raymond Spence, author of NOTH­ but a Lesbian (in all senses of the word). second half is devoted to the Rome of doubtful that he read the series ... ING BLACK BUT A CADILLAC. N. The volume is extensively indexed and that day, a w'ild and exciting and some­ One of literature's most ersatz Lesbians Y.. Putnam, 1969, gets his title from this is very useful, particularly to those what corrupt city. Lucius Valerius, am­ plays one of the feature rolls in Calder Eldridge Cleavers SOUL ON ICE. When of you who have not read extensively in bitious, arrogant Roman Tribune, is tbe Willingham’s abdication as a novelist, a group of black men in prison were asked the history of this period, some 2600 years pivotal protagonist, but our interest is PROVIDENCE ISLAND, N.Y., Van­ whether they preferred black or white ago. There have been many dozens of his sister, Valeria. As would be expected guard, 1969. It may be unfair to keep women, one replied: 1 don't want noth­ editions of Sappho's poetry. From these at that time, Valeria is married, for pointing out to this beleaguered man ing black but a Cadillac," and this more many, 1 long ago chose a small group purely political reasons, since she is a that his first novel, END AS A MAN, was or less expresses the desires of hero, of the (in my opinion) better editions for Lesbian and has been in love with a his best, but what few critics have men­ Joady, black, handsome virile and will­ inclusion in the bibliography, THE LES­ friend, Clodia, virtually her entire life. tioned is that he has been getting increas­ ing . . . The publisher is pushing him as a BIAN IN LITERATURE. Mr. Saklat- Approximately one third of this very ingly bad. His early works (many of them hero similar to the twin heroines. Candy, vala's book belongs with these others in long novel is devoted to Valeria and male homosexual to some extent) includ­ and Kitten, of recent fictional fame (in­ every Lesbian literature collection. Clodia. Good handling. ing his wonderful and little known col­ famy'?). The homosexual characters that From out of the dim past, or really Renato Ghiotto's CHECK TO THE lection of short storeis, THE GATES OF dot the cast, male and female, are much only the 1920's, comes one of the early QUEEN, N. Y„ Putnam, 1969, belongs HELL, which Vanguard brought out like those you expect to find in the Ten­ “daring" Lesbian novels, THE WILD with the literature of bondage rather than back in 1951—justifiably had most critics derloin of any large city. There is an ex­ PARTY, by Joseph Moncure March. It Lesbianism, though enough general re­ believing he would be one of the better tended sequence with a butch and her has a most interesting history in view of viewers confuse the two that it warrants writers of his generation. (Incidentally, girlfriend that is very very funny, albeit its relative lack of shock possibility to­ mentioning this as a warning against it the cited collection contains the excellent, the worst possible kind of propaganda. day. The Bond Wheelwright Co. of Rock- . . . not on literary grounds. This deals albeit unpleasant Lesbian short story, Joady. after an encounter with an unbe­ port, Maine, published this in 1968, for with the subjugation of Silvia, a young “The Sum of Two Angles.") lievable blond, falls in with a sociologist the first time since an undated appearance psychotic driven by horrible fantasies and PROVIDENCE ISLAND is the ma­ of idiot proportions, in a gay bar, and in the I930’s. THE WILD PARTY is a ill-concealed terrors, by Margaret, a mov­ rooned site of one Jim Kittering, a bored then into the personal lives of several of novel in verse, and it is bound with anoth­ ie star, who becomes Silvia’s sadistic mis­ and boring New York executive type who its inhabitants. The evening ends in a er novel in verse, THE SET UP. Simon tress. This has been lauded in Europe, fancies himself as irresistable, and two broom closet, with too many active par­ and Schuster attempted to publish it in and understandably so, for it is not the females, Florence Carr, who is introduced ticipants. Recommended with some reser­ the middle 1920's, but was afraid of cen­ run of the mill titilation novel. It won't to us as a Lesbian writer, and Melody, vations. Only if you can laugh and sort sorship trouble and finally decided be to many reader's tastes here, but it wife of a missionary. Most of the book is out the social levels involved. Mr. Spence against putting it out. Then the young introduces as mature an approach to this taken up with the sexual designs and re­ is a good writer, said to be a jazz musician publishing firm, Covici, brought it out very taboo subject as has been seen to designs of Jim with the two women. living in Vancouver, Canada. This is his in 19.31. Later there was an undated edi­ date. In a sense this novel is comparable Florence has no trace of Lesbian or even first novel, and you'll want to watch for tion by Blue Ribbon Books. The original variant tendencies that I could discern will do a biography on this woman’s writing is excellent, poetic, delightful, and long story, “Yucca Knolls,” which (though this is discussed at unbelievable really fascinating life? After all, someone also just as confusing to follow as that length throughout the book) and Melody wrote DOROTHY AND RED and it got featured male and female homosexuals description implies. But nevermind, there in important roles. This was closely fol­ types haven't been around in recent years. published. are moments you won’t forget for a long But then, the real Jims of this world can­ THE ROSE AND THE SWORD, by lowed by THE HORSE KNOWS THE time, and Miss Harris is very young and WAY, 1963, 1964, which contained a not write Ixxiks even as well a.s this, or Sandra Paretti, N. Y„ Coward-McCann, promises to be around for some time. 1969, is unintentionally hilarious . . . an major Lesbian title, “Clayton Bunter” we would be overwhelmed with this sort What is more, she will almost certainly and two male titles. of pseudo-pornography. historical novel that is bound to be very again write pertinent fiction. Better than The next year, 1965, his novel THE After tfour months practice, the three very popular with those who love the three quarters of the novel is taken up LOCKWOOD CONCERN, again fea­ are quite a well-functioning sex machine sword and cloak school (this also belongs with Saradove's real and imagined Les­ tured major male homosexual characters and Jim has plans for keeping his wife to the clothes conscious, virtue protected bian encounters, in and around Green­ and minor Lesbian or variant involve­ and both of these newly acquired women and right will triumph schools). The wich Village and through the streets of heroine. Countess Caroline de la Romme ments. In 1966 he broke some kind of rec­ when they are rescued and returned home. New York. One long section deals (vast­ ord with his collection, WAITING FOR It doesn’t quite work out that way, how­ Allery, is a fictional figure set down in the ly more poetically) with a chase and cap­ WINTER, by including eight pertinent ever . .. time of Napoleon's last fight for power in ture scene reminiscient of one from Ann France. The story opens March 21, 1814, stories, six male, one both and one female, No one objects to the increasing flood Bannon’s writings. Don’t miss this one. “James Francis and The Star" and “The and the text established the situation and of entertainment intended pornographic And, as promised some time back, a Skeletons” being the ones of primary in­ novels, but what is objectionable is this the major historical figures. After that look at the latest John O’Hara along with terest here. reality seldom intrudes as Caroline goes kind of pretension, for Mr. Willingham some comments on his recent preoccupa­ Despite all this evidence of interest, from breathless adventure to breathless has larded this with supposedly impor­ tion with homosexuality. John O'Hara, nothing in these prepared me for his lat­ adventure, all of them involving much tant commentary on civilization. It re­ American novelist and short story writer est collection. AND OTHER STORIES. minds one of the moralistic prologues and changing of costume and much protecting has been around since the 1930’s, the ob­ After all, all he has done in the past is of her virginity from “evil" cast mem­ epilogues that used to be appended to ject of lavish praise and lavish scorn produce five Lesbian short stories, and trash to let the up tight reader know that, bers and a little swooning with the from the critics, but unfailingly very some minor mention in one novel. Even “good" ones. She is menaced by an evil indeed, everyone who sinned came to a popular with an emormous literate pub­ considering that two of these short stories bad end. Today, when sin isn't the dis­ duke, and several assorted villains, car­ lic. It takes better than a page, in very from the past are very major, one is com­ cussion point, we use in.stead “commen­ ried off by a pirate, and spends a night small type, to list his titles. Writers who ic, and only one very serious. tary." It all amounts to the same load, in a nunnery. This latter adventure con­ achieve this kind of fame seldom achieve It is easy to see why John O'Hara was the famous one of the farmer is always cerns us, since both of the nuns are Les­ the critical success he has commanded, not writing about Lesbians and homo­ having to haul away. As a means of com­ bians, one a sour older type who simply and he is being modest in his introduction sexuals in the 1940’s. He wanted to get parison, in 1959, French novelist, Henri frightens her, and the other a younger to his latest collection of short stories published, and it was not the thing in Crouzat produced a very similarly plotted sort who falls in love with her at sight, when he states that no one else writes those days. But now, it is acceptable, and novel, brought out by Duell, Sloan & and trys to prove it. She helps Caroline better short stories. That is true, no one he is, at last, able to talk about things he Pearce, called THE ISLAND AT THE to escape and may or may not be a vil­ else does, and more, very few come any­ has obviously known a great deal about END OF THE WORLD. This was also lain. If you like the genre, its a must. Oth­ where near his level of achievement. despite his silence. His latest collection, a modern Robinson Crusoe on an island, erwise, skip it. If you follow his career, though, you get AND OTHER STORIES, N. Y., Ran­ shipwrecked, with (in this case) three This is going to be an exciting year in the impression that until 1958, he never dom House, 1968, contains three Lesbian women. One of them a Lesbian. It was Lesbian fiction, and one of the bright heard of homosexuality. He had, of stories, no male stories. There is a minor, before the days when too much sympathy successes and possibly likeliest to be course, and met a few too, but things as very overt and excellently done story, could be printed, but it is a far better book sujectively popular is CATCHING they are, and not necessarily as they 'The Broken Giraffe" about a bored so­ than this one. And if you are curious SARADOVE, by Bertha Harris, N. Y., should be prevail, and especially in the cial type engaged in an affair with the enough to look for it, Berkley reprinted Harcourt, Brace & World, 1969. Very world of publication. Uxtal Don Juan, who is accosted and made it in paperback in 1960 . . . some copies few first novels get the attention this one Cautiously, in 1958, his novel, FROM by a Lesbian who feels the woman is a are still around. As for PROVIDENCE is receiving; but then very few deserve THE TERRACE, concerned some male bit "too much." It is a very good story, ISLAND, save you $6.95 . . . it really is this much attention. Saradove Racepath homosexuals in minor homosexual roles, and very accurate reportage on a not too a no-no. is trying to do her thing in Greenwich also male, and not important. The short uncommon adventure. It is nothing, how­ There is a new biography of Edna St. Village, because of her less than love­ story collection, ASSEMBLY, 1961, con­ ever, to compare with the novel length, A Vincent Millay, THE POET AND HER able home life back in North Carolina. tained two fairly important male homo­ FEW TRIPS AND SOME POETRY, BOOK, by Jean Gould, N. Y., Dodd. Her thing includes carrying on a run­ sexual titles, and his 1962 novel, THE which deserves to be considered a classic Mead, 1969. It is a pale book, really ning (literally) romance with one of a BIG LAUGH, had several important Lesbian novel, despite the fact that in though the author is enthralled with her pair of Lesbians (to the understandable male homosexual characters. saying so, I automatically invite a num­ subject. Fans of Millay (we aren't all dismay of the partner) and getting preg­ Also in 1962, his first Lesbian short ber of nasty letters. dead are we?) will eiyoy this account nant by Johnson, a maddened young story, the comic “Jurge Dulrumple” came The heroine of a “few trips” has had of “Vincent" as she was known to her causist. When we first meet Saradove, she out, in the collection, THE CAPE COD too many trips to all the wrong places friends, even though there is much care to is playing with her young daughter in a LIGHTER AND OTHER STORIES, before we reach the end of her story, but name no names. This is the first book New York City park, and she tells her which also contained the major and ex­ if your patience holds out, the rewards about Millay (except for a plethora of ju­ past bistory, from childhood through her cellent male homosexual novella, “The and explanations are all there. This is go­ venile titles) in years, and sadly, it isn’t ' immediate past, pregnancy, etc., by means Engineer." His collection, THE HAT ing to be hard to beat for the all time best the right one. Someday, surely, someone of continuous circular flashbacks. The ON THE BED, 1963, contained one this year (intellectually if not popularly). The use of a male narrator is always dif­ His paperback puolisher is Bantam (with profoundly scientific of the American Kinsey was one of the first to make use ficult, but it is this first person male ap­ one exception, THE LOCKWOOD schools of psychology. Behaviorism. of the orgasm to further our understand­ proach that O’Hara uses best, and his re­ CONCERN, was reprinted by Signet in Many of you may not realize what a lib­ ing of love, i.e., sexual behavior. Earlier counting of Isabel Barley Turner from 1966). At almost any time much of his erating idea the Behaviorists have in­ students (e.g., Krafft-Ebing) had tried to the time she is the teenage sometimes work is in print in either hardcover or troduced: the idea that BEHAVIOR is all classify people as homo- or heterosexual girlfriend of the narrator until his last paperback. You won’t have any trouble that counts; one is what one does. In the according to verbal reports of states of in­ meeting with her some 30 or more years finding all of these older titles mentioned. natural sciences such as physics and chem­ ner feeling. How hopelessly unscientific! later manages to be the most believable But first, run out and buy AND OTHER istry, it has long been known that nothing Kinsey counted the number of orgasms a recounting of a Lesbian by a male writer STORIES . .. ) exists that cannot be measured. Scientific person had with members of each sex. since Robert Neumann's 1963 novel, knowledge (and what other knowledge is This led to the discovery that fully one FESTIVAL. There are more books than space and there?) is ultimately nothing more than third of males were bisexual, at least in There is also that third story in the time permit . . . next issue will cover, pointer readings, measurements manipu­ some degree. Women, as always, did collection. “We’ll Have Fun," that is a among others, an excellent new Sybille lated mathematically. If it cannot be rather poorly. Being for the most part en­ minor, ironic variant accounting ala Bedford novel, A COMPASS ERROR, a mea.sured it does not exist. The Behav­ meshed in the taboo against promiscuity, O’Henry. surprise from the past, a new title by Han­ iorists have rigorously applied this prin­ they are also trapped in rigid monosexual (Note; All of John O’Hara’s hardbacks nah Lee (start scratching your memory on ciple to the study of human nature and are behavior. Kinsey’s discovery backs up came from Random House, New York. that name), the latest Iris Murdoch, etc. thus able to clarify what we see taking scientifically what a few, enlightened place around us. Who can measure love? souls had begun to sense, namely, that the But we can measure behavior. We can monosexual ethic has no basis In human by Jane Ogiden count orgasms and what else is “love" nature. but orgasms? To love simply means to The bisexual today is maligned by most MONO-BI-AND POLYSEXUALITY have an orgasm with. (Semanticists will of u.s, but it is he (and occasionally she) note the interesting expressive "to make who is showing us the way to more fully or What Love is All About love to.’’) Orgasms is what love or being human, as opposed to animal, behavior. ^ These are exciting times. For centuries the ladies took it all wrong and fancied in love is all about. It has taken us over Only the bisexual truly loves all people. our western civilization has stagnated at they were “loved." The troubadours fell 700 years to clear up the sticky mess be­ Bisexuality contains within it the virtue ( the primitive level of homo- and hetero­ in with their idea, composed and sang gun by those medieval ladies. of promiscuity for it precludes faithful- / sexuality, or what 1 shall call monosex­ "love" songs, and the notion of "love" There used to be a saying, it’s love that ness to one person. Now we can see why j uality. To be sure, there are still to be took root. It reached its nauseating peak makes the world go round. The scientific Lesbians trail the male homosexuals by 1 found pockets of prejudice against the in the 19th century Victorian novel. Even statement is; It's orgasms that make the so wide a margin. Even heterosexual cou­ homosexual variety of monosexuality, but men were caught up in this mush. They world go round. I think we. all agree that ples are more advanced, what with wife­ swapping and bits of homosexual behav­ we may ignore this as a phenomenon of too wrote of love, of life-long romantic more orgasms (i.e., love) are what this the ignorant masses that will disappear attachments, of hearts broken when the world needs. Men have shown an instinc­ ior during orgies. We Lesbians are Just not with it. We do not make bar pickups in time. 1 am here concerned with the love bond was snapped in any of thou­ tive knowledge of this. Even during the with ease. We do not cruise. We have lack of insight still crippling many of our sands of ways. Women doted on all this worst of the Victorian era, they kept alive scruples about being homebreakers. De­ educated citizens. Though these elite have and many still do. This is a particularly the double standard. They were often spite or in defiance of the facts of human thrown off the numbing morality of mon­ striking instance of the inferiority of the forced to practice their healthy promis­ behavior and the most up-to-date (i.e., ogamy, most are as yet afraid to dis­ female and one that might have done last­ cuity underground, in itself an unhealthy best) theorizing, we continue to seek, or card their exclusivity with respect to ing damage to human progress. Not too condition of deceit and hypocrisy, but, to believe we have already found, our one choice of sex. But times are changing. The long ago Momism was threatening to un­ thank God, they did it. And now, belated­ true love. When will we pull our heads sexy sixties mark the beginning of the end do the American male. ly, women in growing numbers are find­ from the sand? of the myth of monosexuality. To exclude Now, fortunately, we see the real mean­ ing the true road to emancipation, that road that is paved with orgasms. (Many The Behaviorists tell us that human either ail males or all females as bed ing of the superiority of the male, who, beings are born sexual, not any particular partners is a fantastic prejudice. We are women had mistakenly thought that ac­ with maturity and courage, has practiced sort of sexual. (How they know this is not beginning to realize how confining, how quiring the vote was the way to equality. promiscuity in all ages. Younger women clear, but they are nothing if not scientif­ inhibiting, this sexual prejudice is. I today are taking heed and aping men. (I Time has shown how absurd this was.) So far .so good. But all of this progress ic). For most of us it is a downhill devel­ would like, in this short summary of to­ do not mean to imply a similarity with opment to ever more restricted sexual ex­ day’s most mature thinking, to bring to­ has been made within the confining con­ our simian forebears. Theirs is simple pression. You might say we would be bet­ gether the various threads of progress so promiscuity leading nowhere. Human cept of monosexuality. Thanks to the ter off to have remained babies all our that we may get a glimpse of our future. insights of Behaviorism, we now under­ promiscuity holds the promise of growth.) lives. From the moment of birth we are A look into history will give us our per­ We Lesbians, I am ashamed to say, are stand human nature as never before. subjected to the myth of monosexuality spective. We Americans can take special pride in most backward, but what can you expect (more typically the heterosexual version) In the Middle Ages was bom, out of when you put two women together? We this achievement. Whereas much of our chivalry, the notion of love, of being in success in space technology rests upon which cuts each of us off from half the still pride ourselves on having longer human race. This has far reaching effects. love, of falling in love. Knights chose love­ European discoveries in the realm of pure lasting relationships than THE MEN! Is it any wonder we are afraid even to ly ladies to fight for as that added an ex­ science, in the far more subtle and diffi­ American psychology, a field fortu­ loach others? Our capacity to love, i.e., tra fillip to the Joust. It was the fight, of cult field of people it is we who are lead­ nately preempted by men, has come of to behave orgasmically, is arbitrarily re­ course, that thrilled the knights for they ing, both in pure science and in its ap­ age and by its discoveries is freeing us all. stricted and repressed. Touching, being never bothered those ladies sexually. But I am referring in particular to the most plied aspects. either a forerunner of an embryonic form est faith. This much is clear, however: ish?” Bisexuality today is practiced in a re­ ances from the professors that the “love” of orgasm, is likewise inhibited. The And I had quickly raised my hand and stricted form. The old taboos against sex in the sonnets for the Young Man was an meaningless term “love" includes that answered with great authority, “The Elizabethan convention failed to con­ with one's parents and children still pre­ airy concept, “affection." As love is or­ world and the United States is half-Jew- vince me. vail. Minors are out, though this is more gasm, so affection is touching. “Love” be­ ish, half-Gentile." I was in a cloud of unknowing, learn­ because of antiquated laws than taboo. havior ranges from a handshake, to hand And then the teacher told the class— ing a new geography where 1 wound up Encouragingly, sex between siblings seems holding, through hugging and kissing, to as ignorant as I was—that only THREE in the fourth circle of Dante’s hell (and to be on the increase. Why not sex with the nude embrace and orgasm. To re­ percent of America was Jewish. retaliated by putting Dante in some circle animals? A few liberated spirits (mostly press orgasms is, in some manner, to re­ Three Percent! Unbelievable. My heart of a hell I fashioned for Church moral­ press all degrees of “love" behavior. sheepherders) have risen to this. Why shook at the thought. ists). Our applied psychologists, or people should cat lovers and dog lovers remain so Three percent! A new heaven and a new earth. I would technologists, have developed touch ther­ inhibited? Elephant and dolphin lovers All those gentiles! need to fashion it, as the Soviets had too. Size differences may at first seem in­ apy to help us break through the barriers How old was I then? About eight 1 needed a new drama. imposed by monosexuality and other surmountable, but we humans, especially imagine. These were my thoughts thru the week negative attitudes towards promiscuity. of the superior sex, are endlessly inven­ What happened to me after that? at school, these were my thoughts as I By touching people indiscriminately we tive. (Cf. Havelock Ellis.) Why not ma­ 1 began to come out of my egg. Crack went home by subway on Friday after­ become "affectionate" and “loving.” chines? We love them too. How many crack crack. Slowly slowly. noon, the stations on the Newlotts IRT Remember, we are our behavior; we are men love their cars better than their I got older. I went to high school, met line a familiar rosary in my soul, sacred as what we do. It should be clear now that, wives? Why stop at washing and polish­ gentiles—who were not “gentiles” at all my childhood that was leaving me. as long as we remain in the grip of mono- ing one’s steel chariot? Why not screw but just people like myself. I read Freud That Friday night at supper my moth­ sexuality, our touching ability is dras­ it? . .. and discovered we were all children. er said, “Do you know the girl next tically impaired. This is not to say that all 1 shall leave to the younger generation Crack. I read Marx and discovered that door?” touching invariably leads to orgasm, the carrying forth of the orgasm. I have we were caught in nets of economic ex­ 1 stared at her. There were two “next though that would be the ideal. All our but one more thought. The Second ploitation. Crack. I read history and doors.” Ours was a six story apartment present taboos surrounding when and Coming, the end of the world, will be one found that everyone was someone’s Jew, house on the corner. Two wooden houses, where and with whom one may have an great and glorious cosmic orgasm in that everyone had had to flee at some large private homes—how few of these orgasm must first be removed. Then which all souls, human and nonhuman, time, that we were all exiles. Crack. were left in Brooklyn—were on either promiscuous bisexuality will be the norm of all time will be united for eternity in And still I was not out of my egg. side, one on Park Place, the other on and the amount of “love" in the world THE ORGASM. That world of Brooklyn, so secure, still Brooklyn Avenue. will make war, poverty, hate, and preju­ held me. The one of Park Place was now empty. dice but a memory. (Joan Ogden was born in the East and I no longer lived in Brooklyn, at least The other on Brooklyn Avenue was No, not quite. The exalted plane of bi­ educated in New York City, though she full-time. I was going to Columbia Col­ owned by an old lady who lived there with sexuality is not the ultimate. Beyond lies now makes her home on the West Coast. lege. I had learned a lot of things in my a younger woman, who looked terribly polysexuality! As an old, over 29, Lesbian, A leader in the fight for our civil rights, head, but not in my heart. Inside I was sick and pale. Sometimes they sat on the 1 feel inadequate to the task of peering she has chosen as pseudonym the name of still part of the family. The center of my front porch, even when the weather was into the future. This I will leave to our a romantic heroine from Lesbian litera­ world was still in Brooklyn, still in that growing chilly, the old woman listening young bisexuals in whom 1 have the great­ ture ...) apartment on Park Place, still at the mo­ to the radio, the younger one knitting. ment on Friday night when I would come I knew only that they were gentiles, by Leo Skir home and we would all sit down to supper having for me, even then—I was in col­ together. lege—a special exotic—even unpalatable My years at Columbia followed each quality—that gentiles seemed to have. THE GIRL NEXT DOOR Other obediently like big elephants in a They looked so white, so pale, almost as circus holding each other’s tails. if they were half-baked. Know the girl Then in my last year at Columbia I next door? A young gentile woman years If you are Jewish, as I am, Brooklyn, at the time of my growing up—in the 40's, discovered I was in love and with my older than me, silting on a porch in a least the Brooklyn that I grew up in, was more with Russia and Poland. It was roommate, another boy. private house behind a gate. What could as Jewish as Tel Aviv. I lived on Park somehow European, somehow, not A gentile. And a heterosexual too. my mother mean? Place. The public school I went to was al­ American. To some extent my parents I felt quite lost. My Jewish background “You don’t mean the younger woman most all-Jewish. How? Negro children shared this attitude. They tried not to had prepared me for a different type of sitting next to the older one on that (who, I suppose were for the most part speak Yiddish in front of me, so that I exile, a different form of disapproval than porch?” I said. Protestant) lived only four blocks away would not acquire a Yiddish accent. that which faced me. My mother nodded. "That one,” she on Berger Street, but went to another But—as in those stories where the par­ Where were my people? Who were my said, “She’s supposed to be the daughter school—“their” school. Catholics went ents try to avert the circumstances which people? of the old woman, but she isn’t.” to the parochial schools connected to their will bring an evil fate on their child— Thoughts like this often went thru Mother pau.sed to let this intelligence churches. And there were few white Prot­ the knowledge of Jewish separateness my mind. sink in. estants, at least in MY part of Brooklyn. could not be held from me. They buzzed thru my head, crowding Then she said, “You’re not supposed to It was a strange life, Jewish, and yet, In Sunday School at the Sherre Zedek out, intruding into my studies. About know this. She tells everyone she’s the oddly non-Jewish. The Jewish life, we were asked, Shakespeare I now thought, ‘Did he ever daughter of the woman, but she isn’t. seemed to me, connected—at that time— “What percentage of America is Jew- feel what I feel?’ Somehow the reassur­ She’s a—Lesbian.” Mother felt another pause was jastified “Yes,” I said, “I remember. I have to at this point so she had a piece of chicken go." by Ruth M. McGuire, Ph.D. leg, opening her eyes wider and looking “Can’t you slay a while longer?" she at me in her excitement as she ate. said. “Her doctor told me," said Mother, “No.” I said. “1 can’t. 1 have to go . . . ’’ THE COUNSELLOR'S CORNER “No one’s supposed to know," I went. 1 paused, puzzled, wondering what (THE COUNSELLOR'S CORNER col­ havior—virtually the only behavior pat­ value this was to me, or who I was not to We are all Jews. We are all exiles. umn consists o f your letters on your prob­ tern that I have seen among Lesbians tell it to—my classmates in Contempo­ Nighttime will find us in the large cities. lems with answers provided by Dr. Mc­ that does appear to differ substantially rary Civilization? My Classics Course Often, very often, we are more at home Guire. Letters submitted for use in this from the marital patterns of heterosexuals instructor? It seemed so inappropriate, when we are alone. column should not be over 1000 words in and male homosexuals. It is quite possi­ as, in my childhood (was it so long ago?) length and should not he signed except by ble you have also witnessed this sort of I had been given a shirt on my birthday (“The Girl Next Door" is an excerpt from some “code" name chosen by you. How­ occurence and 1 wonder if you would ex­ and had been told a shirt was a birthday a novel in progress, LEO THE ZION­ ever, all letters should he accompanied plain it? gift. IST, another section o f which has ap­ by a cover note containing your correct “Anti-symbiosis" And Mother looked as happy as if she peared in the MINNESOTA REVIEW. name and address. SEND ALL LET­ had given me a gift. Leo Skir was born in Brooklyn in 1932 TERS TO GENE DAMON, EDITOR, To “Anti-symbiosis" She got up and took my plate. and educated in the New York City area, THE LADDER, and not to Dr. McGuire, The sole question in your letter, in “Wait!" she said, ‘Tve got your fa­ where he still resides. His stories have ap­ since this only delays them and might your final sentence, is what we used to vorite cake." peared in TANGENTS, ONE M AGA­ cause them to be lost. No personal replies call a real show-stopper. Part of the an­ She came back with a layer cake, white ZINE, MATTACHINE REVIEW can he made by mail. Letters not suitable swer is easy: yes, I have observed human cake with layers made of a chocolate pud­ (under name Leo McAlberl). He has ap­ for use in the column will he destroyed.) behavior through or with the objective ding-like mixture. peared in THE LADDER in the past as frame of reference of the 'professional' so­ It had been my favorite cake. But that “Leo Ebreo". Under his own name, he Dear Dr. McGuire: I have frequently wit­ cial behaviorist for a considerable num­ night—and I didn’t quite know why then has appeared in EVERGREEN REVIEW nessed a situation in Lesbian marriages ber of years. I have also been privileged —I had little appetite. and COMMENTARY, as well as the that appears to be unique . . . that is, I to observe heterosexual as well as homo­ But 1 did not mention this to my moth­ previously cited MINNESOTA RE­ do not believe it occurs in male homosex­ sexual behavior patterns that seem to re­ er since I did not want my appetite or VIEW. He is the author o f the section, ual relationships nor in heterosexual peat thcm.selves with unerring regularity lack of it to come into the conversation. “A Guide To Gay New York" in THE unions, and I am wondering what causes —those patterns we currently tend to call I wanted only to finish the meal quickly NEW YORK SPY, edited by Alan Rinz- this type of relationship. I am referring ‘fidelity’ and ‘promiscuity’—where on­ and get back to Columbia, to school. ler and published by David White Co. A to the situation where a couple has been going love relationships between two “I have to leave after supper," I told portion o f his novel, BOYCHIC.K, en­ together an indeterminate length of time people are concerned. It has further been Mother when she came back in with the titled “Other Chanukas" was included in and one of them becomes interested in a my experience that non-fidelity rather cake, the lauded anthology, HOW WE LIVE, third party. Quite frequently, this results than promiscuity, perhaps, is by far “Can't you stay over?” she said. edited by Penney Chapin Hills and L. in the forming of a relationship between more common than most people think, or “No," 1 .said, “I have schoolwork.” Rust Hills, N. Y., Macmillian, 1968.) all three women. NOT, in any sense, a even dare to think about. “Oh," she said, “I'm sorry. I really feel sexual relationship, but a sort of support When one can dispense with the gos­ samer lyricism of the poets, the chiaro­ better at night knowing my little boy is Would you like a chapter of DOB and sustain operation, wherein the two sleeping in the next room in his little NEW lovers care for the (possibly) hys­ scuro of the painters, and the man-made p.j.’s." in your City? A place where you terical displaced party for an indetermi­ laws of the Judeo-Christian era, one has 1 ate the cake quickly. could meet, have discussions, nate length of time (sometimes as long as to see that ‘love’ is a physiological phe­ “I didn't finish the story," Mother .said, dances and work for legal rights? a year or two). Not infrequently, when the nomenon wherein an individual’s bio­ sitting down, “The girl’s parents found The DOB is interested in forming displaced party finds someone new, the logical and chemical apparatus perceives four women involved remain close a stimulus, and, aided and abetted by out about her and sent her to live with a chapter in your area. We guaran­ the old lady. Her physician told me. No friends. There are a number of variations instinctual psychological drives, responds one knows about it. Everyone thinks she’s tee your anonymity. If YOU are on this arrangement, but I have person­ to that stimulus with specific emotional feelings that are acted upon forthwith . . . the old lady’s daughter.” interested, write; ally witnessed it at least a dozen times, I didn’t say anything. It all sounded too sometimes stretching through a number if the person glares. West of the Mississippi: In some qultures still today, the per­ strange and impossible. Why if the young Rita Laporte, Pres. of subsequent relationships (where, for girl was a Lesbian didn’t she live in New example, another “divorce” occurs years son does dare. But by and large in our Western society, the Judeo-Christian York, find someone—she living alone— Daughts of Bilitis later between a couple that has already to share her life with. Why spend it in 1005 Market St„ Suite 208 had such a three-way relationship on world, the immediate and unrestrained Brooklyn, hiding, alone, ashamed? San Francisco, CA 94103 forming their marriage—and in the response to the described stimulus is taboo if an individual is ‘committed’ by “Do you remember her?" my mother East of the Mississippi: course of the divorce they again form a said, “The girl next door?" three-way relationship). To my knowl­ whatever societal vows he holds sacred Joan Kent, Vice Pres. East to ‘love’ or respond only to another spe­ She had brought in my coffee, pouring edge this never involves any type of sex­ it half-full of milk as 1 always drank it. P. O. Box 3629 ual activity (except between the newly cifically designated person. In other Now 1 drank it quickly. I wanted to be Grand Central Station formed pair). Much of this seems to me words, you, any individual, is supposed gone. New York, NY 10017 to be a basic contradiction of human be­ to forever after ‘love’ only one person to happen a little more often. I am 22 and the end of your days. However, no folk­ years after growth ‘peaking,’ the couple constantly changing for everyone all the my girl just turned 17 a month ago. We time. One hopes they change for the bet­ ways or mores in this world can stop the often come together solidly and com­ fortably and in much better psychological live in ______(midwest city of about ter, but often they seem to change for the ‘attraction-response,’ ‘cause and effect,' 40,000), and we don’t know anyone else worse. Nothing in our lives remains stat­ or ‘action-reaction’ syndrome any more health than they otherwise would have like us except through the magazine, ic; there is no such thing as the ‘status than a man can fly to the moon! (oops.) been able to do, without feelings of hav­ THE LADDER. We have known each quo’ for any life situation or an individ­ In lower animal forms the attraction ing missed something, been cheated, or other for three years, and we have been to­ ual’s feelings. We either change by grow­ stimulus and response pattern is regu­ deprived of experiences they wanted to gether for almost two years. We both ing or change by deteriorating. But we lated most of the time by cyclical breed­ have. Your obvious puzzlement about know that this is very dangerous for me, never stand absolutely stock still. Let us the splitting, dividing, and re-forming ing seasons, as when the female is in es- conjecture for a moment and regard the trus. (Remember the homosexual behav­ of some Lesbian relationships also sug­ because of my age. Her parents like me, and my parents like her. We can’t live to­ problem from the premise of what you ior in lower animal forms is not proved gests your dismay at what you may see as gether, of course, yet. Now her parents may think as the worst possible thing that to be exclusive and life-long; when the instability in certain individuals, or a are planning to move when she gets out of could happen. appropriate opposite sex is available, the cavalier attitude toward trying a little Your friend leaves school, moves harder to be ‘faithful’ and keep promises school. This will be at the mid-term in­ animals may respond to other-sex stimu­ away, and you remain with your growing solemnly made. I can assure you that the stead of the usual end of school, so she lus.) However, back to Homo sapiens and new business. Will she move so far away schism and re-grouping you have ob­ will be out next January (1970) and she his remarkable ability to be sexually that visiting her would be impossible? served is not unique in Lesbian relation­ won’t yet be 18. We could just take off stimulated at any and all times—Man for Would you have to resort to phone calls All Seasons in every sense. Man can re­ ships but is quite common in many, if when she finishes school, but there are so many reasons now not to do this. I live and letters? Or would this be dangerous, spond sexually to an incredible number not most, human relationships. Again I away from my family, but we are on very too? Would your two families become and variety of stimuli. Almost any ob­ must stress that the emotional dividing good terms. 1 did not go to college, ‘suspicious’ of such constant communi­ ject, animate or inanimate can arouse re-uniting with others, in the human, can though I could have, but I did start my cation? Would you then fear reprisals? him, especially if he has a sensory and/or well be sublimated in many forms of ac­ If your friend is not going on to college, psychological ‘fix' on it—sounds, sights, tivity, as in business unions, sports own business and it is doing well now. It was just this last year that I was able to would her parents permit her to remain odors, the ‘feel’ of something (tactile comeraderie, intellectual pursuits, etc. take it over entirely in my own name and work with you? Are you sure you stimulus) or, perhaps most often, a But be very sure it does happen . . . it (when I turned 21 and could also afford could never explain to both your parents thought pattern such as is woven in fan­ exists . . . it is there. Finally, you seem to to). It would not be a very good idea for what the situation really is? tasies and day-dreams. When Man is be outraged that the splitting couple me to leave here, and we really don’t want If none of this seems feasible, then you tumescent, anything can and usually does manages to accept and even contain the to. I am trying to think of some way to may well have to face one of the most happen to achieve a releasing response. third or fourth member joining the re­ make it possible for her to stay here with painful of life’s experiences—that of los­ If he is controlled, constricted, or cul­ lationship. Why should this astonish me. We cannot risk telling her parents ing a treasured love-object. 1 doubt if turally inhibited, the discharge may be and anger you? If the Lesbian couple, or the truth, because of her age, though they many human beings have escaped this expressed in motor or cerebral activity. If any couple, have been capable of being are very nice and not old-fashioned really wrenching experience, and the sense of he is free to do so, he will discharge genit- attracted to one another because of cer­ for their ages. What would you suggest? loss and grief it creates in the individual ally. tain traits and characteristics, wouldn’t We are really both very responsible and cannot be lightly dismissed. You may It may well be that non-conflicted ho­ it be consistent for them to be attracted she is adult for her age. each have to find the courage and forti­ mosexuals are sufficiently ‘free’ to express to other individuals who had like ad­ “Young Lovers” tude within yourselves to bear the pain, their sexual responses to stimuli without mirable traits. I have observed repeatedly until such time as circumstances alter and undue regard for what the majority con­ that a person with much love to give is To “Young Lovers" you can resume what is, for each of you, siders propriety, or obedience to prom­ able to adore one individual for a particu­ Your problem is most certainly an ‘in­ a rewarding relationship. ises and moral commitments. It may also lar combination of ‘graces’ and to equally teresting’ and a valid one. You may feel well be that heterosexuals would respond love another for a different arrangement it is relatively less serious than some we as readily as some homosexuals seem to of attributes. In closing, a comment on have discussed, but the prospect of any do if they were equally ‘free’ to ignore your second paragraph; 1 would tend to two people deeply in love having to be their ‘rules.’ In truth, this is precisely agree with your observations that a third separated for, perhaps, a matter of years CROSS CURRENTS what does happen in many cultures, old and sometimes fourth member joining a is acutely distressing. The only things I and Miscellaney and new, from ancient to modern times. close relationship seems to occur more might suggest are the things you are ap­ Heterosexuals and homosexuals alike with women than with men. Perhaps parently doing anyway, such as maintain­ 10 WACS were involved in a U.S. Army form unions for propagation, security, women are just naturally more ‘mother­ ing friendly diplomatic relations with witch hunt last December. Januarv and friendship, or whatever, and do not pre­ ing’ than men and tend to want to ‘rescue’ both your families, conducting yourself February, and the entire homophile tend that it will be a ‘love’ relationship, hurt or disadvantaged things . . . includ­ with dignity, working productively and community responded to aid them. Ori­ to the end of their days. Heterosexuals ing people. Or, women may just have successfully at your business, and, most ginally the 10 women were charged with can and do have mistresses and lovers on more inborn capacity for ‘loving’ on a important, not planning any kind of homosexuality and they faced undesir­ the side, without disrupting the basic sustained and on-going basis. (Why dr hare-ing off together when your friend able discharge from the army. Mr. C. H. structure of their mutual home base. For you refer to these people as ‘lovers’? Art finished school. It is cold comfort to get Erskine Smith defended the women on the free and uninhibited of any sexual they—really?) nothing but a pat-on-the-back for being a “no fee” basis. The WACS were all persuasion, this often seems to work out * « « such good girls when you face what members of the U.S. Army Women s reasonably well—especially for those Dear Dr. McGuire: I certainly don't hav seems to be an insoluble problem. Band at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and years of life during which vigor and a problem as interesting as some you hav Circumstances do change. They are were charged following a complaint from growth drives are paramount. In the talked about, but I imagine mine migf Ruth E. Glaspy, Company Commander, hibiting social activities and immediately Dr. Bell said: "Hopefully, ours will be the women’s groups are following the bad 14th Army Band. Army medical and sponsored a dance open to all college the largest and most unbiased sample patternformedbyhomophileorganizations, psychiatric reports declared the women students in the New York area. They also ever taken.” Under terms of the grant, splintering into small groups. They need to the San Francisco study must be finished non-homosexuals, but this did not stop voted to schedule a public panel discus­ be united, and by the way, so do we. How the persecution. The Army Administra­ sion on Lesbianism during the spring in three years. about one national women’s group (DOB) tive Board accepted as evidence, not term (a report on this will follow in an­ MATTACHINE MIDWEST NEWS­ and one national male group (?), with as only hearsay and gossip, but affidavits other issue). LETTER, Chicago, Illinois, February, many councils on religion and the homo­ signed by absentee witnesses who have ABORTON REFORM: The League 1969, announces the founding of a Feder­ sexual as we can possibly have . . . ? been discharged from the Army or trans­ for Abortion Reform broke up a meeting of ally funded agency to help homosexuals SYMPOSIUM FALL OUT, San Fran­ ferred from the base where the “trial” the Joint Legislative Committee on Prob­ with employment. A private organization cisco, California, January, 1969. Teachers was held. lems of Public Health in New York City called SERD (Social, Education, Research and counsellors from Berkeley H igh School and Development, Inc.) has worked, in the met with a group from San Francisco Chap­ Mr. Smith, in defending the WACS, con­ on February 13,1969, protesting that all the tacted various homophile organizations. In Committee does is talk about Abortion Re­ past, with theunemployedfrommanyethnic ter, DOB, including the West Coast Vice turn many of these organizations held bene­ form. Surprisingly, many of the members of groups, and now have turned their atten­ President, Rinalda Reagan and the Vice fits to raise money for legal costs, turning the Committee loudly shouted approval of tion to the homosexual, in the Chicagoarea. President of the San Francisco Chapter. this over to the NATIONAL LEGAL the women's action. The founder of SERD, sociologist John W. Purpose of the meeting, helping the teachers involved to betterdeal with the younghomo- DEFENSE FUND which exists for this LOS ANGELES is richer these days for McCollum'sproposaltotheFederalGovem- sexuals in their care. This meeting was special purpose—the providing of financial having lost several whole congregations of ment makes it clear that he is on the side of caused by the new communications estab­ assistance to people involved in cases deal­ Pentecostal churches in their area. A num­ the angels, and one might wish that there ing with the persecution of homosexuals. was to be such a group in every city. Many lished during the CRH SYMPOSIUM held ber of these groups have left "wicked and last October in San Francisco. We need At last report the situation had not been sinful" Los Angeles to settle in the Mid- of you will want to hear more about this completely resolved. One défendent was work, and you can reach MATTACHINE moreofthissortofthing—organ! zationsand West or South. One group settled in Ten­ agencies and teaching bodies working to­ cleared entirely, two weregivenundesirable nessee just in time for that area’s first earth­ MIDWEST by writing to them at P.O. Box 924, Chicago, Illinois, 60690. Incidentally, gether within the community. discharges (which were later upgraded to quake in nearly 100 years. AII of the groups for those of you who like pleasant surprises, MORE TALK: Washington, D.C., Feb­ "general discharge under honorable con­ claim to have had visionsofearthquakesand the editor of the MATTACHINE MID­ ruary 21, 1969. The Betty Groebli Show, on ditions"); and seven women have been left Other natural disasters destroying Los in a limbo situation. They have not been WEST Newsletter is none other than W.R.C. featured Dr. John Cavanaugh, a Angeles, primarily due to rampant homo- Valerie T aylor, author of several of the best psychiatrist, his “in depth study” subject, discharged, but they have not been given a sexualactivity there,and therevengeofGod. "clean" bill either. Lesbian novels ever written. identified only as “Ann" a Lesbian and a The LADDER editor lives in the M id-West family counsellor. Nothing new, but reitera­ DOB was frankly hoping that this would DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WO­ and since two of these groups have moved to tion of some fairly well known facts that turn into a test case which might have MEN SCHOLARS: Washington, D.C., within 100 miles of her home, she is now February 24,1969. Nicholas von Hoffman, often get overlooked. Approach wholly reached the Supreme Court. However, to w'orried that they may have brought some date the Supreme Court has given a “no writing in the WASHINGTON POST, de­ sympathetic, even on the part of the psy­ of their earthshaking with them .. . scribes the terrible obstaclesfacingqualified chiatrist, and civil rights for homosexuals ruling" reply tosimilar cases.The American BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA. Febru­ women in University life today. He docu­ was one of the topics, as well as some em­ Bar Associationhasmany recommendations ary, 1969.The mostextensive.completeand ments the discrimination against women in phasis on the "normalcy” ofhomosexuality. before Congress now' which would reform relevant study ofhomosexuality everunder- military law. teaching positionsat Harvard, University of Good of kind. taken will get under way next October, ac­ Chicago, Yale,University ofMichigan,New JUDICIAL BREAKTHROUGH. We It is not unreasonable to suspect that the cording to Dr. Alan Bell of the Institute for York University, Stanford, and University all remember the infamous deportation ofa Army's more or less retraction of action in Sex Research (Kinsey Institute). Using a of Wisconsin. In using the life history of Canadian national from the United States this case was due. at least in part, to the aid $280,000 grant from the National Institute recently, simply on the grounds of homo­ that sprang up in behalf of these women. beleaguered Marlene Dixon, he shows that for Mental Health, Dr. Bell's group will in­ sexuality. Judge George Rosling, a Federal Notice of their plight appeared in many even while attending school on the graduate vestigate the lives of 1100 male homo­ level every possible pressure is put on the Court Judge in New York City, ruled, on homophile publications. The New York sexuals and Lesbians in the San Fran­ female student to quit, to forget it, to con­ Friday, February 28,1969, that the petition Chapter of DOB held a benefit supper and cisco Area. of one Mario Belle for citizenship could not raised several hundred dollars. centrate on her rightful place (i.e. marriage Many San Francisco groups will take be denied simply because the man describes A partial victory, at least, and proof of and family). Look, we are more than 50% of part including the DAUGHTERS OF the population. How long are we going to himself as a bisexual with homosexual ten­ the power of organization to overcome in­ BILITIS, the COUNCIL ON RELI­ justice. tolerate this? dencies. Judge Rosling spelled out clearly GION AND THE HOMOSEXUAL, the MORE MILITANT WOMEN: THE that as long as the man’s sex life was with UNITED NATIONS, February 6, 1969. MATTACHINE SOCIETY, the SOCI­ WASHINGTON POST,February23,1969. consentingadultshe)wasstill“ofgood mora I U.S. delegate John E. Means told the U.N. ETY FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS More and more groups are forming, women character” and could not be denied citizen­ Conference on the Status of Women that (SIR), and THE TAVERN GUILD. Dr dedicated to women’s freedom and dignity, ship on these grounds. The Immigration praising mothers for having a lot of chil­ Bell, senior research psychologist, plan' and all going about it in various and diverse and Naturalization Service announced it dren isnolonger'Tunctionally appropriate” to focus the study on the family experi ways. Most of them, including the group would appeal the decision. Undoubtedly in a world with a population explosion. ence of homosexuals. They plan to te- discussed by Judith Martin, in an article “big brother” will win, in a higher court, but STUDENT HOMOPHILE LEAGUE all of the theories about how homosex'. entitled, “New Breed Of Witches,” not yet in any case, there are some men in white hats OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY took wise ality develops and study the types accomplishing much. This bunch calls it­ sitting on the court bench .. . nice to know. action at their Executive Board meeting in homosexual commitment and experiem self “The Women’s International Terrorist LEGALIZE HOMOSEXUALITY, February. 1969. They eliminated the clause Most studies of homosexuals have bet Conspiracy from Hell” (WITCH). It seems Sacramento, California, March 4, 1969. from their Statement of Purposes pro­ done with people in therapy or in prisoi Assemblyman Willie L. Brown, Jr., of San lowing exchange of comments by Franklin approach in which therapy fora homo­ groups are bound together by a vast Francisco, California, has introduced a bill E. Kameny, long time leader in the homo­ sexual would consistofinstilling inhim complex of relationships, values and in the State Legislature to legalize private phile movement, and the editorial staff of a sense of confident self-acceptance so social structures, not least of all the sexual conduct between consenting adults. PLAYBOY. The letter following this has he could say with pride, “Gay is good.” preservation of the group by reproduc­ Brownadmittedhe was not optimistic about been sent by Rita Laporte to PLAYBOY. Franklin E. Kameny, Pd.D. tion. Homosexuals, on the other hand, themeasurepassi ngintheStateofCalifornia, At press time we do not know if it is to be run Washington, D.C. are an aggregate of individuals who but indicated he would pursue the matter. in PLAYBOY, but a future issue of THE PLAYBOY REPLIED: share only a single attribute. The prob- Despite the negativeness of this approach, LADDER will comment. Weshareyourdistateforemotionally lemsofmostotherminoritiesarecaused there was a day when civil rights bills had GAY IS GOOD charged words such as “sickness” to primarily by persecution; homosexu­ little or no chance of passing, but men con­ I find the August PLAYBOY FOR- describe what is more aptly called ade- ality, wbencompulsiveandpbobic,isin tinued to introduce them at the variouselgis- U M letterfrom David H. Barlow offen­ viance” (the neutral term used by Bar- itself a problem that exists in addition lative levels. Now, of course, it is politi­ sive and illustrative not only of the low to denote a departure from behavi­ to the problems caused by society’s at­ cally “dangerous” not to vote for civil feiluresofpsychologyandpsychiatryin oral norms); nonetheless, avoiding titude. For this reason, homosexuals rights legislation. Someday, homosexuals their approach to homosexuality but loaded epithets should not blind us to should not be discouraged from seek ing will also have their civil rights. also of the dangers in the form of “hu­ the fact that there are distinctions be­ therapy when they want it; the sugges­ SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE man engineering" practiced by be­ tween heterosexuality and homosexu­ tion by homophile spokesmen like SUPPORTS LAW REFORM. March 6, havioral therapists. I write as a homo­ ality. Contrary to your as.sertion that yourselfthat individuals whodo under­ 1969. THE SAN FRANCISCOCHRONI- sexual. 1 am founder and president of the latter is a “preferred orientation,” go treatment are violating group soli­ CLE, in an editorial entitled “Reviewing the Mattachine Society ofWashington, the available evidence indicates that darity merely adds another conflict to Sex Laws" came out strongly in favor of D.C., and chairman of the Eastern the exclusive homosexual is not follow­ themanyalreadybesettinghomosexuals. Willie L. Brown, Jr.’s, bill (see above). They Regional Homophile Conference, al­ ing a preference at all but, rather, a I n spite of our d isagreement on these point out that existing laws are impossible though 1 am writing this letter as an compulsion based on phobic reactions issues, we share your belief that the to enforce and simply no longer a part of individual. to heterosexual stimuli. situationofthe homosexual in America public concern. They quote the now famous There is no valid scientific evidence The tenacity of this compulsion can today would be vastly improved were statement by Home Secretary Roy Jenkins toshowthathomosexualityisasickness, be measured by the forces with which it not for an intolerant and hostile used in getting such legislation adopted in illness, neurosis or pathology of any it is in conflict: In almost any human society that subjects him to enormous England: "The great majority of homo­ kind. It is a preferred orientation or society, every influence, from parental stresses. To do away with that kind of sexuals are not exhibitionist freaks but propensity, not different in kind from upbringing to the broadestcultural per­ social intolerance has been a constant ordinary citizens." Very true and we are heterosexuality. Homosexuality is not suasions, operates to encourage a man and fundamental purpose of “The to perform as a biological male with very grateful to Roy Jenkins and THE intrinsicallyinferiortoheterosexuality; Playboy Forum.” females; for reasons as yet not known CHRONICLE, but it has been pointed out it is not a second-best condition. The withscientificcertainty,thehomosexual that heterosexuals are not held accountable problemsof the homosexual stem from March 2, 1969 reacts negatively to this conditioning for the freaks in their ranks—no minority discrimination by the heterosexual The Playboy Fprum and develops at odds with the very group should be so held accountable, either. majority andare much more likely to be Playboy Building ground from which he sprang. This is Black, Jew, Gay, what have you ... employment problems than emotional 919 N. Michigan Ave., not a deliberately chosen non-confor­ FORSYTHE SAGA. The Arts Section problems. There is no valid ethical Chicago, III. 60611 mity, because exclusive homosexual ity of THE NEW YORK TIM ES for February reason for a person tosubjecC himself to is involuntarily and unexpectedly ar­ Dear Editor: 23, 1969, contained a very silly article by conditioning therapy other than sub­ rived at. Thus, the sexually inverted 1 wish, as a woman and a Lesbian, to one Ronald Forsythe entitled: “Why Can’t mission tosocietal prejudice. Such sub­ ‘We’ Live Happily Ever After, Too?” With male finds himself rejecting his bio­ take issue with your reply, in the March mission is immoral, of course, because logical role and the physical and emo­ Playboy Forum to Dr. Kameny’sletter. that title, and the avowed intention of show­ the prejudice is immoral. tional satisfactions that it offers; he You assume, without proof or argu­ ing how absurdly maligned the homosexual Has Mr. Barloweverconsidered that is insome fiction, mostdramaandall movies, finds himself in conflict with parental ment, that homosexuals are under a the fact that heterosexuals rarely (if expectationsandinoppositiontosociety’s one might expect something worth reading. compulsion to engage in sex with their ever) wish to change to homosexuality, pervasiveencouragementofheterosexu- Instead it appears Mr. Forsythe is unhappy, own kind. 1, asa woman, have been all whilehomosexualsoccasionallywishto ality. In return for the price in tension too frequently accosted by males af­ and his suggested cure for his personal become heterosexual, may imply the misery is that writers should portray him as he must pay for his rejection of these flicted with a compulsion to have sex sameconclusionthatcanbedrawnfrom values,hegainsnogreatergood through happy and this might make him happy. w'ith me, though the ultimate compul­ the one-way traffic in Negroes passing hisrelationswithmalesthanthehetero- Really, I feel our alchemists should make sion. rape. I have been spared. These as whites?The conclusion isthatsociety sexual gains in relations with females. and many other males are in the grip him disappear. Well, maybe someday hasindoctrinatedaminoritygroupwith someone will write an article pointing out Therefore, it is far from accurate to of phobic reactions to homosexuals. I n afalsesenseofinferiority.Negroleaders fact, this is a serious neurotic symptom that since most homosexuals are ordinary state that exclusive homosexuality is inawiseefforttorepairthehumandam- without intrinsic disadvantages for the suffered by heterosexuals. It evidences everyday and primarily happy people it is age done them have coined the slogan simply silly not to portray them with the individual, disadvantages that would the sexual immaturity and insecurity of “Black is beautiful.” Barlow and his exist even in a tolerant society. most ofthem.Too many neverprogress same honesty applied to heterosexuals in professional colleagues would be of all except a handful of cases.... It is just as inaccurate to state that beyond the pre-pubertal stage ofsexual greater service to the harassed homo­ homosexuals share “minority group” maturity. PLAYBOY FORUM, FRANKLIN E. sexual minority if they ceased to rein­ status with blacks (or with ethnic and Perhaps I misunderstand your KAMENY AND RITA LAPORTE: The force the negative value judgments of religious minorities). Such minority learned terminology.Doyoumeanthat March, 1969 PLAYBOY contained the fol­ society and, instead, adopted apositive heterosexual males love and marry fe- The Kronhausens are presently resid­ try Wrong” and “Houseguest.” I hope to thing like THE LADDER in their home. maleheterosexualstimuli(orstimulae)? ing in Paris but were in this country re­ get some new subscribers in this way, A friend of mine subscribed to THE Are you defining love asacompulsion? cently doing research and filming inter­ but my copies are wearing out. One involving phobic reactions to one LADDER for a year (a couple of years views. The documentary will be aimed at S.G. or the other sex? Or are you confusing ago) and just told me that she dropped the need for revision of our sex laws and North Carolina her subscription after one year because lovewithcompulsivesexualattraction, . allowing people the “freedom to love.” {Editor's Note: Copies o f back issues she felt it was not worth the money, and which latterafflictsmore men, whether The film crew was especially enthusi­ at $l .00 each or $7.50 for a whole year are she did not get much out of it. She will heterosexualorhomosexual.thanitdoes astic over an interview with Shirley available through the Circulation Depart­ come and see us weekend after next, and 1 women, whether heterosexual or Les­ Maclaine, who played in the movie ver­ bian? ment. 1005 Market Street, Room 208, will show her some of the more recent sion of “The Children's Hour,” her un­ San Francisco, California, 94103. Back As for biological role, I presume you issues, and will talk to her again. Frankly, derstanding and sensitivity to the charac­ issues o f the current volume are SI.25 1 don’t know what exactly she would be mean reproduction. As a conservative ters of the play. each.) guess, 95 % of sexual activity has noth­ interested in, but I'll find out. Other peo­ Rita Laporte, president of the Daugh­ ple are afraid to have the magazine ing to do with reproduction and half of ters of Bilitis, was also filmed, along with Dear Miss Damon: what does is too much. If Mrs. Stimula around the house, even though it arrives Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, in an inter­ I have seen no mention recently at all of unmarked. A number of my gay friends is on The Pill, where is the biological view on Lesbianism conducted by Dr, role for either her or Mr. Stimulus? As all of the Olde Garde: Ann Bannon, Paula don’t even admit to me to being gay, so Eberhard Kronhausen. Professional ac­ Christian, Valerie Taylor, et al. What's I can hardly invite them to DOB or show human beings, it is time we got away tors will be used in a sequence based on a from your fixation on animality. I will happened? Have they stopped writing, or them THE [.A D D E R . You can be sure true story involving a student with a have you stopped writing about them? concede that heterosexuals do about as that any gay friends we have are being crush on a school teacher and the un­ Dreadful as some of the books were, they well as the higher mammals, but I am told about DOB, are being taken there, fortunate consequences that develop. were still better than most on the subject, not impressed. We should do so much if they want to go, and are being shown and I’ll have a soft spot in my heart al­ better. Love can transform mere lustful and frequently given copies of THE ways for Ann Bannon, who gave me the I-ADDER and encouraged to subscribe. compulsion and make of sexual inti­ terms and assurance I needed when I macy an experience of transcending Most of the more stable girls just couldn’t beauty. didn’t know there was anyone else like me care less. Lots of them think it is some­ etde rA in the world. Picture this: a seventh thing that a decent human being would Your espousal of conformity 1 find grader in a drug store picking up JOUR­ not be connected with. With professional surprising. Do you condemn all de- NEY TO A WOMAN (God knows what friends of mine, that’s the main reason. viancy? The gifted, for example? I do prompted me to pick up THAT one) and 1 hear quite frequently remarks like "Do not care to inhabit the belly of the bell A p o n d reading it—utterly delightedly. I hid it you go to such a place?” or “How come shaped curve where the great dull aver­ under my panties in my top drawer and you dare to go there?” That's the atti­ age lives. It is time we found a delight mother found it and destroyed it (or read tude, and 1 just don’t know what to do in diversity: male and female, black it—at least I never saw it again), and nev­ about it, short of explaining, which and white, old and young, homosexual er .said a word about it to me. I bought usually falls on deaf ears. Somehow, both and Lesbian. another one, and hid it better—still have Mattachine and DOB have a faintly ob­ Rita Laporte it. jectionable smell to many “respectable” National President Dear Miss Damon; L. B. gay people, and nothing I say seems to DaughtersofBilitis,Inc. 1 recently read a very old issue (June, Cleveland, Ohio help. Also, most of these people think Editor's Note: Rita Laporte's letter to 1968) of the MOVIE/TV MARKETING (Editor's Note: They have alt stopped THE LADDER is some type of salacious Playboy Forum appeared in the June, magazine, and feel your readers would be writing except for Valerie Taylor, and it "rag,” like a nudist magazine or some­ l% 9 issue. interested in reading about Eva Monley, has been some lime since there has been thing, and of course, occasional stories According to the Los Angeles Advo­ the only female production manager of a new Taylor title. Elsewhere in this is­ in THE LADDER in the past have been cate, Angelo d'Arcangelo's Homosexual major motion pictures. The article, of sue there is an article all about the “Olde possibly a bit like that. Most stable cou­ Handbook (published by Olympia was course, deals with the technical aspects Garde," as you put it. Many readers have ples tend to be a bit stuffy and as easily yanked off the New York bookstands re­ of Miss Monley’s career, including her inquired about the death of good Lesbian offended as the average middle-class stuf­ cently. The Handbood contains the au­ work on such movies as THE AFRICAN paperback fiction. IVe all regret it, hut fy straight person. So, if you have any thors imaginative list of famous homo­ QUEEN and ROOTS OF HEAVEN, current publishing trends in the paper­ suggestions, let me know. sexuals, many of whom are still living. MOGAMBO, LAWRENCE OF ARA­ back field are to put out as much pornog­ Elisabeth Freeman Result of the ensuing furor was a more BIA, THE CARDINAL and HURRY raphy as possible with as little space Philadelphia costly edition now on the stands. SUNDOWN. The article is illustrated. wasted on story and character as can be (Editor's Note: There are a number of L. V. managed.) possible ways to convince the recalcitrant FREEDOM TO LOVE Virginia of their responsibilities. One approach is A Report by Del Martin Dear Gene Damon: that o f kinship, pointing out that the Les­ To The Editor; All the homosexual women I know, bian who refu.ses to take any part in the Filming is under way on a documen­ How do I go about getting back issues who admit to me to being homo.sexual, fight for her own civil rights, if by no tary entitled “Freedom to Love" which of THE LADDER. I have been lending know that I go to DOB, and have been larger gesture than .supporting this maga­ is being produced by the Drs. Phyllis and my copies of August, 1968 and December/ asked to come and/or to join. Almost none zine, is comparable to blacks who pass as Eberhard Kronhausen, authors of the January, 1968, 1969 to my friends, to of them want to even investigate it. Al­ white, name

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