Published bi-monthly by the Daughters of Biiitis, Inc., a non-profit corporation, 1005 Market Street, Room 208, San Francisco, California 94103. THE purpose off the VOLUME XIII, NUMBER V & VI LADDER FEBRUARY— MARCH 1969

“Dtui^^tenA 0^ B i L IT IS NATIONAL OFFl lERS, DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. President, Rita Laporte A WOMtS’S ORC.\SIZMI0\ FOR THE FlIRPOSE OF PROMOTING Vice President, East, Joan Kent THE INTEGRATION OF THE HOMOSEXUAL INTO SOCIETY BY: Vice President, West, Rinalda Reagan Secretary, Lynd James Treasurer, Lois Williams Chapter Presidents are also included on The Board THE LADDER STAFF Editor, Gene Damon Production Assistant, Lyn Collins Education of the Lesbian, enabling her to understand herself Production Manager, Helen Sanders and to make her adjustment to society in all its social, civic, Secretary to the Editor, Maura McCullough and economic implications - by establishing and maintaining Circulation Manager, Priscilla Cochran a library of both fiction and non-fiction literature on the sex Staff Assistants, Karen Wilson, Sten Russell, Ben Cat deviant theme; by sponsoring public meetings on pertinent THE LADDER is regarded as a sounding board for various points o f view subjects to be conducted by leading members of the legal, on the homophile and related subjects, and does not necessarily reflect the psychiatric, religious and other professions; by providing the Lesbian a forum for the interchange of ideas within her own opinion o f the organization except such opinions as are specifically ac­ group. knowledged by the organization. IN THIS ISSUE: © Education of the public, developing an understanding and Sex Roles: a glance at 4 cultures by Alice Lawrence 4 acceptance of the Lesbian as an individual, leading to an Rain-, a potm by Maura McCullough 6 eventual breakdown of erroneous taboos and prejudices - by The Homophile and Income Tax Inequities by Val Vanderwood 7 The Catherine Wheel: a short story by Melinda Zeilinger 10 public discussion meetings and by dissemination of educa­ TTie Life-Style of the Homosexual—asymposium 16 tional literature on the Lesbian theme. Four Poems by Carla 10 The Bee—A short story ¿yJameiCo/f on 20 6 Somerville and Ross, a Biography—Reviewed by Dr. Foster 26 Encouragement of and participation in responsible research The Counsellor’s Corner—Dr. Ruth M. McGuire, Ph. D. 27 dealing with homosex uaiity. Lesbiana— by Gene Damon 29 Cross Currents 34 Two Poems by Maura McCullough 36 o Readers Respond 37 Investigation of the penal code as it pertains to the homosexual, Two Poems by Melinda Brown 40 proposing and promoting changes to provide an equitable hand­ Four Poems fcy Car/a 41 Two Poems by Maura McCullough 42 ling of cases involving this minority group through due process Let It Go—apoembyZ.. D. £>avii 43 of law in the state legislatures. The Killing of Sister George—a review of the movie 44 Side Effects—a special feature 46 Copyright 1969 by Daughters o f Biiitis, Inc., San Francisco, California. of a facing of the problem." He went on to Although there is much social equality point out that "It is not the mechanism that among the Trobriands, there is also a defi­ SEX ROLES: is abnormal: it is its function which deter­ nite division between the activities of the mines it abnormality. It is precisely for this two sexes. A woman may exercise no power, A GLANCE AT FOUR CULTURES reason that the institutionalized “abnor­ own no land, have no place at tribal gather­ mal" traits in various cultures arc not prop­ ings, and have no voice in public delibera­ erly called ‘abnormal’ entities. . . (5, p. tions relating to hunting, fishing, festivi­ by Alice Lawrence .360-5 61). ties, gardening, and the like. A very impor­ It would be interesting to do an extensive tant distinction is found in gardening; a investigation of these hypotheses because a woman never gardens in her own right, but For a number of years there has appeared tions of life can occur only when people who glance at four cultures has suggested that must always have a man for whom and with to be increasing psychological and social dis­ are in the process of adaptation are accepted support for the hypotheses could be found. whom she works, and the praise for good turbance in American culture. At present, within the framework of those conditions (3. The Human Relations Area Files* pro­ gardening must always go to the man and attention is focussed on the Vietnam war and p.432; 4, p.l27). If we generalize this finding vided material on the cultures studied. not to the woman. The man has an extreme on racial inju.stice as among the primary to the topic of the increasing overlapping of These cultures were: the Andamans, natives dread of doing something which in intrinsi­ causes for such disturbance. However, there sex-roles in western civilization, it would of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Ben­ cally the attribute of the opposite sex. As are many other things that may have an ef­ seem logical that when conditions make it gal; the Lepcha, members of a Tibetan stock among the Andamans, psychological dis­ fect upon the mental health of a society. This possible for members of one sex to adopt of Sikkim, India; the Trobrians, natives of turbance appears to be minor within the paper discusses one of these factors: the re­ some of the values traditionally a.ssigned to the Trobriand Islands east of New Guinea; Trobriand culture. Anthropologists have lationship of sex-role differentiation and per­ the other, their personality integration will and the Chukchee people of northeastern not observed any instances of neurotic traits sonality .stability or instability. suffer unless they are able to achieve success Siberia. such as hysteria, nervous tics, compulsive That sex-role definitions in American life and become acceptable within that value The Lepcha were found to have relatively actions, or obsessive ideas. Although sui­ are converging has been pointed out by a system. flexible sex role boundaries. The Lepcha do cide, which is an indication of disturbance number of writers. Brown, for example, said In order to investigate the tenability of the not recognize any inherent temperamental in American culture, is comparatively fre­ that foregoing proposition, it would be necessary differences between the sexes. Members of quent among the rrobriands. It is commit­ Despite the fact that boys, much more to validate it cross-culturally. The proposi­ both sexes work in the fields, and there is no ted in accordance with the custom and ideal than girls, show a concern for behaving tion may be stated in cultural terms, in two hard-and-fast division of work between of personal honor. It is committed when a along sex-appropriate lines, there has essential parts: them. There is practically no such thing as person has been publicly accused of mis­ been considerable change in the direc­ 1. When a person who internalizes values "man's work" and ‘woman's work" and a deeds or Is insulted, whether or not the ac­ tion of both masculine and feminine usually associated with the opposite sex is man may frequently do the cooking or nurse cused was actually guilty of misdeeds. roles becoming broader, less rigidly de­ afforded the opportunity to participate the baby. Evidence suggests that psychologi­ Suicide in this society, therefore, docs not fined. less sex-typed, and more overlap­ within that value-structure on a non-preju- cal maladjustment does in fact exist among satisfy Wcgrocki's conditions quoted earlier. ping with each other ( I, p.238-239). dicial basis, he or she will suffer less malad­ the Lepcha. All the Lepchas, including the Since suicide is a matter of personal honor, Brown went on to list indications ofthe trend justment or personality disturbance than if children, drink far too much, and it appears it is an institutionalized “abnormality." and toward increasing similarity of sex roles in the society's sex-role boundaries are flexible to be impossible for them to drink in mod­ therefore would not properly be called an the United States, pointing out the similar and overlapping without complete accep­ eration. Suicide and attempted suicide are “abnormality" or a “maladjustive act" educational experiences of girls and boys tance or total lack of prejudice. frequent. Malicious gossip and scandal within this culture. from kindergarten through high school, the 2. Among societies or cultures which can­ reach such a degree that people worry a Among the Chukchee it is not at all un­ fact that husbands increasingly carry out do­ not or do not give total acceptance to an in­ great deal about what others say about them usual for a man to be “transformed" into a mestic tasks historically considered exclu­ dividual adopting most of the values of the behind their backs. woman. He drops all male pursuits, takes up sively the duties of women, the growing opposite sex, less personality disturbance Among the Andamans there is a clearcut female clothing and activities and may even number of wives holding down jobs, many of and social maladjustment will be found in division between the activities deemed suit­ take a husband. Similarly, a woman may be which have been traditionally masculine, societies with clearcut and rigid sex-role able for each sex. Certain kinds of dwellings “transformed" into a man, marry, and have and the more colorful, soft, and delicate fea­ definitions. are built only by men, while other types are children by her wife through a bond of mu­ tures of male clothing along with female Particular attention must be given to the erected only by women. Men hunt, fish, and tual marriage with another (male-female) adoption of all kinds of “masculine" cloth­ meaning of the term “maladjustment." Even make the implements they need for these couple. In the Chukchee society these chil­ ing and hair styles. within our own society the definitions of pursuits, but will rarely, and only under ex­ dren are considered the transformed hus­ As to the relationship with maladjustment "maladjustment." “psychological distur­ treme necessity, procure either wood or wa­ band's own lawful children. In this society, in our society, some theoretical formulations bance." “mental health." “mental illness." ter for their families. Migrations are then, an individual can take on all the values have emphasized the role-conflict resulting and similar terms vary from one investiga­ planned by men without any consultation and attributes usually associated with the from this increa.sed role similarity. This pa­ tor to another. Wegrocki discussed the con­ with women, but on the march it is the wom­ opposite sex, and can. in addition, be com­ per will represent a different approach, cept of abnormality, and the problem of de­ en's duty to carry the heaviest loads. Malad­ pletely accepted within that value-structure which, it is hoped, could lead to greater un­ fining it in such a way that differing inci­ justment appears to be rare within this cul­ on a non-prejudicial basis. As to maladjust­ derstanding and perhaps, even, the discovery dence in various societies may be adequate­ ture, if indeed it occurs at all. No psychotics ment within the culture, it seems that in­ of additional relevant data. ly judged. He presented the following defi­ have ever been observed among them, they stances were not frequent. Arctic hysteria, In discussing the Menomini Indians of nition: " . . . we could state the quintessence do not appear to be subject to trances, sui­ which is widespread among other groups in Wisconsin, the cultural anthropologist of abnormality as the tendency to choose u cide is unknown, and the crimes of abduc­ the general geographical area, is very rare George D. Spindler pointed out that a posi­ type o f reaction which represents an escape tion, rape, seduction, and so on appear nev­ among the Chukchee. Although suicides oc­ tive psychological integration to new condi- from a conflict-producing situation instetu' er to have been committed. casionally occur, it seems that this is almost always a matter of pride, and takes the form of the individual requesting to be killed. BIBLIOGRAPHY The death is inflicted by a friend or relative. 1. Brown, D. G. Sex-role development in a THE HOMOPHILE AND The Chukchee regard such death by vio­ changing culture. Psychological Bulle­ lence as preferable to death by disease or old tin, 1958,55, 232-242. INCOME TAX INEQUITIES age. Voluntary death is considered praise- 2. Mead, Margaret. Male and female. New wonhy, and it is believed that those who die York: Mentor Books, New American this way are given one of the best dwelling Library, 1955. by Val Vanderwood places in the "other world." As with the 3. Spindler, G. D. Menomini acculturation. Trobriands, suicide is institutionalized, and In Y. Cohen, Social Structure and Per­ The sobering, numbing, or raging hours kind if the present birthrate of two percent is is not. therefore, a symptom of maladjust­ sonality.'NewYoTV.: Holt.Rinehartand spent in filling out a federal income tax maintained. In only thirty years the world ment. Winston, 1961. return—whether managed independently or population will double, unleashing prob­ 4. New trends and applications in an­ This survey is a very limited one, both with the assistance of a tax consultant—are lems too frightening to contemplate. Will thropology. In 28th Yearbook, Na­ in the number of cultures studied and in the painful ones for most citizens, but parti iu- the world death rate from starvation— tional Council for the Social Stud­ restricted range of materials consulted. Nev­ larly for the homophile. Income tax time is presently at 10,000 persons per day—also ies, 1958. ertheless, the foregoing evidence suggests painful not only because of the money de­ double? Will mankind commit international the possibility that a number of societies 5. Wegrocki, H. J. A critique of cultural and manded by the government, but because of suicide by allowing population to outstrip could be found on which ethnographic ma­ statistical concepts of abnormality. In the knowledge that the unmarried segment the earth’s natural resources? terial would contain adequate descriptions C. Kluckhohn and H. A. Murray, Per­ of the adult population, including the If anything, the tax rates in an urban of the variables, permitting relationships sonality in nature, society, and culture. homophile, is required to pay MORE than society where 70% of the populace has to be determined. If, after a thorough study, New York; Alfred A. Knopf, 1950. a fair share of the tax burden. Why should jammed itself into fifty major centers should both hypotheses were to be supported, this 6. Human Relations Area Files, New Haven, this be so? Why is it true that those who favor single persons and couples with small would have implications for American cul­ Connecticut. are not married and procreating must pay families. Future tax rates should negate ture. higher income taxes, even though they re­ "Cheaper-by-the-Dozen” family planning quire fewer governmental services, than as well as the religious concept of sex simply Within our society, with its converging *The Human Relations Area Files consist married couples with or without children? for purposes of procreation. The creation of sex roles, there is great opportunity for each of extensive cross-cultural indexing of pri­ In tax year 1967, for example, a citizen huge families necessary to the agrarian way sex to adopt many values and activities pre­ mary sources on more than 200 cultures. It filing a tax return on $7,999 would have of life and the scattered population of rural dominantly attributed to the opposite sex. is located at Human Relations Area Files paid $1,630 tax as a single taxpayer whereas America demands thoughtful evaluation Americans are not, however, able to be­ Inc., Yale Station, New Haven, Connecticut on the same earnings a married couple filing during the urgencies of the 20th Century, come completely acceptable within the op­ and at member and subscribing universities a joint return would have paid merely unless we are intent on genocide. posite sex's value structure. This is most throughout the country. $1,000. The single person pays 63% more! Beyond the matter of man's annihilation, obvious in the case of women who enter Even if a single person could qualify for via over-breeding, the subject of tax equity traditionally masculine fields of work, head of a household status, he would have must be considered. How is tax equity de­ where they are often discriminated against “Alice Lawrence” is the pseudonym of a paid $1,500 in tax, or 50% more than the fined? In the Ways & Means & Finance com­ on the basis of sex. Men, too, find that in practicing psychologist. She obtained her married couple. This flagrant preference for mittee rooms in Washington, D.C. is a traditionally feminine occupations they are undergraduate degrees and her doctorate the married couple over a widowed, divorced, sampler stating: EQUITY IS THE PRI­ often at a disadvantage. A glaring example at a large West Coast university. She has or single person with a dependent indicates VILEGE OF PAYING AS LITTLE AS of this formerly existed in the Navy, a tra­ written articles in the field of counseling the inferior status assigned those who are SOMEBODY ELSE. Essentially, this is ditionally ma.sculine organization within school age children, and has presented pa­ not wed. what the homophile asks in terms of govern­ which is a traditionally feminine compon­ pers before various professional groups. This preferential tax treatment is also ment tax rates—the privilege of paying as ent, the Nurse Corps. Until relatively re­ extended to couples with large numbers of little as married persons do. This equity is cently, a male nurse, upon entering the children. Thus, a single person earning desired not only for the homophile but for all Navy, became an enlisted man in the Hos­ $4,999 per annum would pay $667 tax unmarried heterosexuals—the single, di­ pital Corps, while a female nurse received an while a married couple with five children vorced, and widowed. 10% of adults between otTicer's commission when she joined the RAIN — Maura McCullough would pay no tax at all! Even though the ages 30 and 50 are not married, and a third Navy. family demands on services would very of the adult population are single, divorced, Rain as we meet likely exceed the single person’s by 600%. or widowed sometime during the course of To many, the solution of complications Long silver streaks of rain splashing Assuredly a married man with five children adulthood. By whose authority are these brought about by overlapping sex roles on our words needs more money to raise a family of this citizens fleeced? would be to re-define sex roles more rigidly. With your face next to mine size than a single person would require, but In determining the exact tax inequity However, as Margaret Mead points out, this And the umbrella slipping forgotten with the frightening prospect of over­ suffered by homophiles it would be helpful would be going backwards and would be a from my hand population, does an urban society want to unow how many there are among the great loss to society of social inventions Odd to be this happy in a gray wet world large families? And should it encourage adult population. While estimates from which might otherwise be contributed. A large families by allowing sizable tax re­ sexologists abound, it is doubtful whether better way to resolve a complex situation ductions? an accurate figure can ever be determined,. would be for our society to accept fully the The spirit of our present tax laws en­ If one considers the Kinsey studies with its special gifts of all citizens without regard to courages arbitrary reproduction of offspring 11.2% of adult males over twenty years of sex. but as members of a common humanity. and portends a horrendous future for man­ age—dwinding to 6.9% for males in the as Business Expenses, Repairs and Im­ continue to pay exhorbitant penalties for b il l io n dollars a year. This sum repre­ over thirty bracket—considered homosexual, sents a figure so mammoth that if the loop­ provements, Partnerships, and If Your the figure is startling for there would be a sexual deviancy! Return is Examined are available from Groups with whom, and through whom, holes were plugged, the April 15th tab of possible 8 million male homosexuals. Cory your local l.R.S. office. the homophile community can work to ob­ the "average" citizen who actually pays believes that gay men outnumber women taxes could be cut by a third, or possibly 3. Hire a reputable tax consultant if 3 or 4 to 1. and if this estimate is reasonable, tain improved tax laws are the usual ones the income tax filing procedures are utilized for legislative action. Help from even half! Until this subversive drain is there could be nearly 2 million lesbians in repealed, the non-favored will continue to confusing or if unusual monetary cir­ unions, business and professional groups, the U.S. In any case, there are surely several pay for the favored. It is imperative, there­ cumstances have arisen since the pre­ million Ameriian homosexuals who are church, educational, and social organiza­ vious tax year. tions should not be overlooked. Individual fore, that every taxpayer write his U.S. forced to pay a highly discriminatory tax Representative in support of legislation to 4. If you fill out the return yourself, because they are not heterosexually married letters to congressional representatives are have another knowledgable person— particularly important. Vital, also, is sup­ end this unjust favoritism. Although many and producing progeny. such bills have been introduced, and many family member or friend—check it over port from the various homophile organiza­ And what of the so-called single adult Congressmen favor their passage, the bills for errors. tions and from national groups such as who is, in actuality, a homosexual marriage are always defeated somewhere along the 5. If eligible for a tax refund, file partner? He certainly is not given the same N.O.W. (National Organization of Women), not-so-primrose-path. Increased support early in January, A.C.L.U.. and others dedicated to obtaining rights and privileges in tax matters which for plugging tax inequities is obligatory if 6. Always keep required proof such are extended to other married couples. civil rights. A stamped self-addressed en­ as receipts, cancelled checks, etc., for velope sent to Dorothy Shinder, 1692-A change is to be achieved. This inequity is most severe when one As American citizens, then, we have all expenditures claimed on the tax Green Street, San Francisco, California partner of the marriage is the sole, or major, a two-fold responsibility. We must return. Do not destroy these until seven 94123 along with a request for free informa­ wage earner. Contrary to the heterosexually fight to have laws governing the single years have passed. If your return is tion on “Single Persons Tax Reform” should married couple, the homosexual partner taxpayer—such as dependency allow­ chosen for audit, have such records bring pertinent data from an organization may not claim a married taxpayer filing a ances and head of a household status— available for inspection. Most tax con­ joint return status which we have seen saves dedicated to eradicating tax discrimination sultants will accompany their clients to against single persons. improved. We must also demand to have as much as $630 per annum on an income unfair loopholes in individual and cor­ an audit hearing. of $7,999. Over a thirty year period, of In defense of Congress and the Internal 7. Pay the income tax on time to Revenue Service, it must be acknowledged porate taxes plugged up once and for all, course, that $630 balloons into a dreadful lest the tax rate spiral higher and higher avoid a 6% interest penalty. total of $18,900!!—A shocking penalty! that the task of apportioning 200 BILLION 8. Should you make an error in the dollars to meet the needs of 200 million for the 55% who actually pay America’s Kven for marriage relationships which are bills. We are naturally required to sup­ lax return and not discover it until the not permanent but last three or four years, people is almost beyond comprehension, form has been mailed, a corrected return especially if that apportionment is equitable port present laws until they are changed, the sum of $630, multiplied by the numbers and to pay the stipulated fees, but may be filed prior to April 15th. After of years of the relationship, adds up to an for all segments of the population, indivi­ that date an amended return can be duals and corporations alike. Our admira­ ignorance of tax law provisions can impressive amount. mean higher taxes if approved deduc­ filed. Also denied the married homophile is the tion abounds for those who labor to a just tions are overlooked. When filing in­ 9. Keep a carbon copy of the tax re­ head of a household status. While the dif­ conclusion, in fact. Nevertheless, the basis come tax returns be certain that the turn in a safe place so it can be referred ference in tax savings is slight compared to by which it is decided who pays what is government is not getting more than it to the following year. Many keep the what could be realized as a married couple, open to scrutiny. In fiscal year 1968, for tax return carbon copy and proof of $ 130 per year is better than nothing ... $ 130 example, only 20% of the federal budget was requires. How is it possible to avoid overpay­ expenditures together. being the difference in tax between the financed by corporate taxes, wherezis 50% In conclusion, William H. Borah re­ $1,630 paid by a single taxpayer earning of the budget was paid by the individual ment of income taxes? 1. Get free help from the U.S. Internal minds us that “The marvel of all history $7,999 and the $1,500 paid by a head of a citizen . . . 42% of this figure being direct Revenue Service office nearest your is the patience with which men and household. Since the law only permits income tax and 8% being excise tax. It is community. Agents will clarify and women submit to burdens unnecessarily children and close relatives to be claimed important to note that the 42% direct in­ laid upon them by their governments." as members of the household, homosexuals come tax was not spread among the entire answer any questions you may have re­ garding proper forms, tax laws, etc., Let us submit graciously to our tax normally could not claim their marriage adult population. Only 55% of the total burdens while we strive to obtain taxi partners as dependents. Thi.s category, head income tax returns were payments; 45% either by phone or in person. 2. If you are not close to an Internal equity for all unmarried adult citizens. of a household, is a highly restrictive one were requests for refunds. Just over half of even for single heterosexuals with depen­ the adult taxpayers are really paying into Revenue Service branch, consider buy­ ing inexpensive publications which dents and should be broadened to include the government treasury while nearly as BIBLIOGRAPHY any person being supported by another, many receive services for which they make explain federal tax laws. A fifty cent regardless of blood ties. With the backing no monetary contribution. pamphlet entitled “Your Federal In­ of many single persons who favor change in Some citizens should be exempt. The come Tax, 196-” is available annually Congressional Quarterly Service. Congres­ from the Superintendent of Documents, this category, this tax inequity seems the truly impoverished, the handi iapped, and sional quarterly Almanac, 1967. 90th most likely one to receive consideration by some elderly persons represent a valid ex­ U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Other publica­ Congress, v. 23. Congress and the Internal Revenue Service. clusion. There are others who could, and Cory, Donald W. The Homosexual in It is not realistic to suppose that tax dis­ should, pay but who do not pay due to tions in the $1.50-2.00 range are avail­ able from the local newstand, or from America. N.Y. Greenberg, 1951. N.Y., crimination against all single citizens will loopholes and favoritism laws created by Castle, I960. Paperback Library, 1963. evaporate painlessly, however. Homophiles Congress and the Internal Revenue Service. your public library. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service also provides free Doris, Lillian, ed. The American Way of must oppose the tax inequities, in combined These special loopholes affect both indivi­ pamphlets on specialized aspects of filing Taxation: Internal Revenue 1862-1963. strength with all single citizens, or the un­ dual and corporate tax payments and cost a federal income tax return. Titles such N.Y. Prentice-Hall, 1963. married minority of American taxpayers will the "average" taxpayer an estimated 40 Kinsey, Alfred C. Sexual Behavior in the U.S. Treasury Department. Internal Rev­ gray eyes, "I prefer being thought of,” to eat downstairs with her parents. Tedious, Human Male. W. B. Saunders, 1948. enue Service. Your Federal Income Tax. Catherine had said once, "as a romantic these tray meals, with all the food tasting Stern, Philip M. The Great Treasury Raid. Government Printing Office, 1968. heroine from a Victorian novel,” and she alike. She lit the dark green candle on the N.Y., Random House, 1964. had pirouetted across Anne's bedroom, bedside table and stared into the llame. Surface, William. Inside Internal Revenue. Val Vanderwood is the pseudonym of a falling in a warm heap on Anne's lap. There, lhat added a certain mystery, a N.Y., Coward-McCann, 1967. college librarian who has been a high school There must have been a funeral, though; certain allure; why hadn’t she thought of U.S. Bureau of the Census. Statistical Ab­ teacher, a university profes,sor, and a former Anne felt certain of it. The accident had candles before now? stract of the United Slates, 1967. 88th ed. president of the Los Angeles chapter of occurred on June 2, Whit-sunday, so the There were candles that first night. Anne Government Printing Office, 1967. DOB. funeral would have been during Whitsun­ could remember Catherine's eyes; a million tide. A funeral at Whitsuntide, with peonies candle flames seemed to be reflected in them and long-stemmed poppies and lilies be­ until the gray turned to gold. And after­ ginning to bloom—Catherine would have wards: Catherine curled up beside Anne on THE CATHERINE WHEEL been glad she'd chosen the loveliest time of the bed, saying in a low voice, "Never one the year to die. There had been a funeral, before you; never another after you; only by Melinda Zeilinger hadn't there? you always." . don't ever sneak up on me again." She turned Anne lay down on the bed and squinted But why did the flame on the green candle Anne Fitzgerald was sitting in a w icker her head, shielding the butterfly from her at the ceiling. She could recall no funeral. flicker so? Anne’s eyes hurt from staring at law n chair by the parsley bed, watching her mother's eyes. How then could Catherine have been buried? it, yet she could not turn her eyes away. mother weed the garden. “What butterfly?" said Mrs. Fitzgerald How could Catherine have been seen safely "Almost," she said aloud in the empty room, "I think this lilac bush is dying,” sighed blankly. “I swear, Anne, it's impressible to into the earth if she, Anne, had not been "as if it were that first night again, with Mrs. Fitzgerald, getting to her feet stand­ understand you these days.” She knelt down present? Perhaps she should call the care­ Catherine drawing me to her through her ing w ith her hands on her hips. "What a pity, by the roses. “Bring me the clippers, will taker at Pine Valley. eyes, moth to flame." The candlelight after all these years." She went on mutter­ you? They're on the back porch by the hot No. With a shattering burst of images flickered, seemed to go out, then blazed more ing to herself about lime content in the .soil w'ater heater. And hurry; I can't wait for­ Anne remembered Catherine's funeral. A brightly than before. and watering schedules, while Anne ever." frozen space of time it had been, with the A strange girl, Catherine Tremaine. thought: Catherine, with a sprig of lilac With a flurry of white wings the butter­ sunlight hot on her shoulders and the mini­ Everyone had said so. Anne heard all about behind each ear. dancing through the gar­ fly flew' away. “Waiting is easy," said Anne, ster reciting the service in a garbled mono­ Catherine Tremaine long before the two den at midnight in a white chemise. and walked to the house, smiling at the tone, all his words flowing together so that girls met. That was the summer Anne was "l ime content in the soul." said Anne clippers as she passed through the screened- Anne couldn't distinguish a single phra.se. sixteen; she had been in bed forover a month aloud, but Mrs. Fitzgerald was back on her in porch and entered the kitchen. She First had come Mr. and Mrs. Tremaine’s recovering from a late spring cold that had hands and knees under the lilac bush and realized she was hungry, but when she caskets, heavy and ornate, while a woman turned to pneumonia, and her school friends didn't hear her daughter. opened the refrigerator she could see no food near Anne sobbed into a handkerchief. Then would visit her, telling her about the new' "Poor old bush," said Mrs. Fitzgerald at all, only cool white surfaces that reminded came Catherine's casket, made of wood the girl who had moved to town. Such tales to the lilac, "we’ll save you yet." and with a her of an icy grave in the Arctic. Anne color of her hair, and there was a terrible they told Anne about Catherine and the violet jerk she pulled out a clump of crab leaned her head against the open refrigerator silence in the cemetery as the minister stood I'remaine family; later Catherine and Anne grass. door and stared at what should have been over Catherine. had laughed together, recalling those talcs. "The bush is dead." said Anne flatly, "so shelves filled with produce and leftovers. Catherine, who had walked so often "The way they described you," Anne said to how can you hope to save it?" She got up Odd, she thought, a drowsiness enveloping through the hills near the cemetery, now Catherine, "I figured you were a witch, or a from the wicker chair and walked down to her, that the refrigerator door would feel so slept in Pine Valley; but would she enjoy visitor from Venus, or a princess in disguise. the rose garden at the far end of the yard. much like Catherine’s cheek. being there alone? Anne could imagine No one in Fall River understands a girl who When docs a rose die, she wondered as she Catherine's cheek? She stood up and Catherine clenching her fists and moaning walks alone by the banks of the river at stared at the blo.ssoms. When It wilts? backed away. Nonsense. Catherine wasn't in her sleep, wanting to escape the night­ night, certainly not a girl who wears a fur- When the petals fall? When there is nothing here; she was sleeping in Pine Valley with mare. She shouldn't be alone out there, lined cape in the middle of summer.” left of it on the bush but a dried-up seed her parents. Anne seized a partially-eaten Anne thought; Irma and Jack Tremaine “A princess in disguise,” Catherine said pod? No. she decided, roses never die un­ Rock Cornish game hen that sprang sud­ were no company for her, and Catherine slowly. ”1 might be one, for all you know. less they're separated from the bush, and she denly into view on the bottom shelf, and went should have someone she loved with her. How would you be sure? You have only my plucked a spray of pink roses angrily, upstairs to her bedroom. Catherine should never have to be alone. word that I’m not." watching the petals tumble to the grass at But what if Catherine were not in Pine Anne reached automatically across the “1 could ask your mother,” Anne replied, her feet. A tiny white butterfly flew past Valley? Anne paced around her room, bed to touch Catherine's hand but grasped turning back to the picnic hamper in search her and settled on a zinnia; Anne transferred tearing at the lender Cornish hen white only air. No, not just air. For a moment it of another chicken leg. That was the day the butterfly to the tip of her nose, tried to meat with her fingers, Catherine deserved a had felt like a hand, a slender hand with they took a basket of lunch and went for a touch it with her tongue, then w alked gently proper burial, deserved to be at peace, Anne graceful fingers and polished nails, warm as walk acro.ss the countryside. "She would to and fro in front of the roses, taking care looked down at the skeleton of the Cornish Catherine's hands had always been. There know.” not tojar the butterfly. hen in her hands, shuddered, and threw the in the air was Catherine's hand, unseen and "Irma Tremaine doesn't understand me,” "What on earth are you doing?” asked remains in the wastebasket, unable to eat invisible, but still pulsing with life. If Anne Catherine said scornfully. “No one named Mrs. Fitzgerald, coming up so quietly be­ any more, closed her eyes and concentrated, maybe the Irma could understand me. I’m understood hind Anne that Anne hadn't heard her. “You Tremaine was a Cornish name, wasn't it? hand would return. only by girls named Anne with green eyes look idiotic." Cornish name, Cornish hen, and Cornish Anne ate her dinner on a tray in her bed­ and brown hair. “It's the butterfly," Anne said, “and girl, tall and slender with long dark hair and room, refusing as she had for over a month “I do want to be your friend,” Anne said. 10 surprised at her boldness. “I want to be I've discovered a way for two to play." She because last July they were at the lake. And with a butterfly crawling across her lap. your special friend." pulled a deck of cards from her straw purse, this summer Anne spent the Fourth of July Pink marble was doubtlessly quite ticklish. "Good heavens. Anne Fitzgerald," shuffled them, and began to deal them out locked in her bedroom, listening to her Anne could feel the tiny butterfly legs Catherine told her, "don't you realize? You two at a time. mother pound on the door while she begged creeping up her chest then moving down one are my special friend." From downstairs came a woman’s voice. Anne to go with her parents to the Patter­ arm. If she weren’t pink marble, she would Oh yes, a very strange girl, Catherine "Catherine! I’m leaving now.” son’s picnic supper. A week ago, that was. have been forced to laugh. Tremaine. While the sehool friends chattered “That's Irma Tremaine," said Catherine, "Mother never gives up," muttered Anne, “I'm not one to speak ill of the dead,” said on and on about the newcomer, Anne tossed rounding up the cards and returning them blew out the candle, and went to sleep. Mrs. Fitzgerald, "but it’s my opinion that in her bed, wondering about Catherine and to her purse, “which means that I must de­ "I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Catherine had a very bad effect on you. I wishing she could meet her. At night Anne part. But I’ll return, if you’ll allow me to Catherine,” said Mrs. Fitzgerald the next never liked her, and I could never under­ would dream of Catherine, imagining her to visit you again. Of course you will." morning at breakfast, stand why a sensible girl like you would be a ten-foot-tall Amazon in a hooded cloak, "Please do come back," said Anne, sitting Anne glanced briefly at her mother and want to spend so much time with someone as striding along the banks of an endless river. up in bed and pulling the covers around her. continued to spread jelly on her toast. foolish as Catherine Tremaine. Yet the two Then one day Mrs. Tremaine, accompanied “I'll be out of bed in a few days and then "Catherine is dead," she said. “What is there of you were inseparable. Why on earth did by Catherine, came to visit Anne's mother, I'll be a better hostess." to discuss?” you allow her to influence you to such an and Catherine appeared suddenly in Anne's "No hostess, no guest," said Catherine. “I’m aware that she’s dead," said Mrs, extent? Thank heavens, your sister Evelyn bedroom with a bouquet of marigolds and a Catherine returned the next afternoon, Fitzgerald, her hands fluttering from her was never like this." clear smile like none other in the world. and continued to visit Anne each day until coffee cup to the rumpled newspaper and Evelyn would never turn into pink marble. "I'm Catherine," she said, poking her head Anne was well again. Then had come their on to her English muffins. "There was no Evelyn would always be a blob of matronly around Anne's half-open bedroom door, walk and picnic lunch, after which Cather­ question of that." flesh, propelling her two ill-mannered babes "and I daresay you've heard all about me. ine spent the night with Anne. That was the “Well then?" Anne drank down her cup through the world while her husband Rich­ yes?" first night. of tea at one gulp and leaned back in her ard trailed along behind, weary and vague. Anne could think of nothing to say; her But Anne couldn't bear to think about it chair, pretending to be a slab of rock. An Evelyn would never know the delights of usual shyness with strangers swept over her any longer. She carried her dinner tray to enormous granite boulder. No, marble, having a butterfly skimming lightly down and she accepted the flowers without a word. the table by the door, then sat back down on that’s what she would be, a slab of pink her arm, its antennae brushing her fingers. "So you've been sick," said Catherine, her bed and stared into the candle flame. marble. How lovely to be a rock; one didn't Could rocks have arms and fingers? .Surely sitting down at the end of Anne's bed and Odd, very odd, that the candle would remind have to eat or sleep or gel up in the morning; they did; Catherine had arms and fingers, stretching out her long legs in front of her. her so much of Catherine, almost as though one had no friends or relatives; one didn't lovely arms that floated bonelessly through "But illness agrees with you. You should Catherine were there in the bedroom with even have to breathe. Anne held her breath the moonlight to come to rest around Anne’s wear a scarlet bedjacket and a rose in your her, putting thoughts into her head. No—as for a moment, then exhaled slowly in tiny neck. Catherine, pink marble maiden. "I’m hair, then there would be no one lovelier in though Catherine were in the candle flame hisses like a snake. only a cheap imitation," said Anne aloud, all the world." itself, drawing Anne into the flame too. "Have you been listening?" asked Mrs. realizing that she could never equal Cather­ "Will you have a chocolate?" Anne Flame: very much like Catherine. Fitzgerald. “1 don’t think you heard a word ine. whispered, passing the box of candy to One Fourth of July Catherine and Anne I’ve said.” “A cheap imitation of Evelyn?" said Mrs. Catherine. decided not to go to the fireworks display “Probably not," said Anne, definitely she Fitzgerald. "What a ridiculous comment; the "No orchid petals?" Catherine remarked, down at the city square. Instead they spent was a rock. two of you are nothing alike.” She frowned running her fingers across the edges of the the evening on the patio behind the sprawling "This is just what I was speaking of. at Anne. "What is so humorous? 1 didn’t frilled cups in which the chocolates sat. house which the Tremaines were renting in Really, Anne, you've behaved so peculiarly realize I’d said anything amusing.” "Not even a candied violet? Oh my, such Fall River. There, with Japanese lanterns since Catherine died. I know she was a friend "It’s the butterfly,” said Anne, shifting terribly mortal sweets these are. I prefer flickering and crickets chirping from the of yours, but life must go on." Mrs. Fitz­ around in her chair and laughing quietly. something more eternal, more romantic." shrubbery, the world seemed motionless and gerald looked over at her daughter, who was "It tickles." And she closed the box and returned it to hushed; Catherine and Anne sat on chaise staring straight ahead and seemed to be “A butterfly? Here?” Mrs. Fitzgerald ,'\nne. longues staring up into the starless sky. holding her breath again. "Oh heavens, peered around the dining rixim. “Come now, “We're in the same class at school, I Then suddenly fireworks and sky rockets why do I bother to talk to you?” a butterfly wouldn’t be in the house. 1 don’t believe," Anne said faintly. "You're a junior, began to explode in ever-changing patterns “Talk is out of style this year," said Anne. see a thing. You were chattering about a aren't you?" far above them. "We’re both too old to bother with conver­ butterfly yesterday afternoon, too. What is "A Junior, a tempest, a waterlily in a “It’s beginning!" cried Anne, reaching for sation. Talk, at our age? Ludicrous.” She this, some sort of joke? I don’t find it funny." scented pond." said Catherine, tracing in­ Catherine's hand, but Catherine wriggled glanced into her lap and there sat the white The butterfly disappeared and Anne, visible circles on Anne's bedspread with one free and ran laughing into the center of the butterfly. How surprising that it would blinking in surpri.se, ran out of the dining of the marigolds. "We were born on the lawn. come into the house, for the Fitzgerald home room to see if it might be in the yard. Be­ same date in the same year, did you know? “Anne, love," Catherine said, ' you don't was screened off from the world at every hind her, Mrs. Fitzgerald was saying, "You I learned of it from your mother." need fireworks. You have me, your own turn. It was even more surprising that the haven’t touched your eggs,” but Anne ■Really?" said Anne. "What fun! I've Catherine wheel of flame." There on the butterfly had landed in her lap without her rushed through the door and into the garden, never known anyone who shared my birth­ damp grass she turned carwheel after cart­ having seen it until now. deaf to her mother’s voice. day. That makes us twins, in a way." wheel, moving so rapidly that Anne could “Please, Anne,” said .Mrs. Fitzgerald, She sat down finally by the petunias. "We shall be tortured with flames and see only the blur of Catherine's yellow dress. crumping up one corner of the newspaper There was no sign of the butterfly outside; with flowers for the coincidence, but our Yes, flame. in her hand, "this kind of foolishness gets perhaps she’d driven the poor thing away sorrowings will be exquisite. May I teach How old were they that summer? They us nowhere. You’re nineteen; act your age. forever. Really it was her mother’s fault if you to play whist? It's for four people, but must have been seventeen, Anne decided. Very amusing, to be a slab of pink marble the butterfly refused to return; her mother should be more hospitable. Anne could re­ parents’ car where no one but you can see melodies. She pulled the quilt closer to her doctor.” member lying on Catherine’s fourposter me.” So Anne, without uttering a word, had and waited for the tide; perhaps she would “I don’t understand how you were able to bed. hidden by the lace and organdy hang­ let Catherine depart; she had watched from drown. return,” Anne said to Catherine, “but that’s ings, while Catherine locked the bedroom the dormitory steps as the long Tremaine “Don’t say goodbye, for I’ll never leave no matter. You’re here.” door from the inside and said, “Let me offer automobile passed through the college you,” said a voice beside Anne’s left ear. It “Very well," said .Mrs. Fitzgerald with you the hospitality of my home." And then gates and turned the corner. Then, ignoring was as if Catherine herself had spoken, and resignation, “if you refuse to answer me, why a year later when they were freshmen in her father's grumbling and her mother’s Anne tossed the quilt to the floor, staring should I waste my words on you? But Tm college and shared a dorm room, Catherine chatter, she had flung her suitcases into the around the room with wide startled eyes. warning you; your father and I expect you had locked that door too, saying, “Let me car trunk. It was no more than an hour later “Catherine?” she called, “Catherine, is to join us for dinner tonight or there will be offer you the hospitality of our home." Such that Anne had seen the crumpled black car that you?" trouble.” Her footsteps echoed down the a flutter of pleasure she had felt, hearing ahead of them on the road leading inlb Fall There was no reply. Anne sat up and stairs and disappeared. those words; at last she and Catherine had a River, the Tremaine car, wound around a leaned against the headboard. “Catherine,” "That bitch,” said Catherine in a matter- room that was theirs alone. giant oak tree at the side of the highway. she whispered urgently, "I want so much for of-fact voice. “Why do you allow her to She had lost Catherine; and now she had And then—-but Anne could not remember it to be you," and she closed her eyes, speak to you in such a way?” lost the butterfly, just as she was beginning what had happened next. reaching through the air for Catherine's "Catherine, you’re able to talk!" cried to learn how dear it was to her. But when Why had the butterfly left her? Anne slender body, for Catherine’s hands. “Please, Anne, her brown hair tumbling in curls had the butterfly first appeared? Could it wished it were still here so that she might where are you?" she said. “1 know you’re around her cheeks. “But why have you been have been only yesterday? It must have talk to it. Infinitely better, if Catherine here.” silent until now?" been; before that, Anne had stayed in her herself were here to explain why she had Something slipped into her hand then; “You are lovelier than ever, and I enjoy bedroom, her mind quite blank as she let her accompanied Irma and Jack Tremaine with Anne felt a warmth in her palm and a pres­ looking at you,” said Catherine, “so there thoughts drift away, unnoticed and unsensed. such apparent willingness to Pine Valley. sure against her fingertips. She smiled and seemed to be no rea.son to speak. But really, She had felt like a parachutist who had If Catherine were here she could erase the lay down again. “Remember your promise,” love, that woman is impossible." jumped from too high an altitude, a para­ last six weeks from Anne’s mind, just as she said sleepily. “Don’t leave me." “Yes,” said Anne, “she frightened away chutist who had frozen into a block of icc as Catherine had erased that terrible quarrel When she awoke she still held Catherine’s my butterfly. Do you think 1 should go he fell. Then yesterday she began to thaw. the evening of high school graduation. hand, yet she could see nothing. Anne tried downstairs for dinner this evening?" Standing by her bedroom window sbe had What a silly argument that had been, all to be content; she sat for hours on the bed, "Do you want to?” asked Catherine, seen the butterfly in the parsley bed; she ran because Catherine didn’t want to attend the not daring to move as she clung to the rummaging through her purse for the deck of outside to befriend it, but the butterfly had commencement exercises. But she had gone warmth in her palm. Then late that evening cards. vanished. Not until Anne had gone over to after all, tossing her long hair angrily and .she had a glimpse of long dark hair, an “No. Not at all, now that you’re here. the rose bushes did the butterfly reappear. refusing to look at Anne during the cere­ image in the comer of her eye that faded Oh Catherine, the last six weeks have been Why had she allowed herself to thaw? mony. Afterwards Catherine had apologized away before she had seen it clearly. This unbearable. If you planned to return to me, The frozen free-fall had been much easier to in a rush of words and gave Anne a liny was most fmstrating. “Catherine," said why didn’t you return sooner?” bear than the pain of melting. Frozen: like jade bracelet. It was upstairs in Anne’s Anne with some irritation, “must it take “Then don’t go downstairs,” said Cather­ the ice on the pond that winter when she and bedroom now, wrapped in cotton gauze in you such a long time? I think you’re only ine, ignoring Anne's question. “Stay here Catherine had gone skating together. What the jewelry case. teasing me.” with me and play two-handed whist.” She fun that had been! Anne plucked a rose- Perhaps the butterfly was there too; it But by morning Catherine had appeared shuffled the cards and began dealing them colored petunia and smiled, remembering might have flown in to be near the jade and Anne could easily see her; it was a out. Do you know where I can find my how they had fallen on top of each other on bracelet. Anne raced across the yard and shadowy Catherine, to be sure, but familiar cape, or my yellow dress?” the icc, then had sat in a snowdrift drinking into the house, past Mrs. Fitzgerald who and unchanged. Anne sal in silence at the Anne shook her head. “After the accident hoi chocolate from Anne's thermos. “You was still sitting, head in hands, at the dining head of her bed and smiled at Catherine some men came to your house. They carted should have a nosegay of violets,” Anne room table. Anne ignored her mother and who sat opposite her, wearing the favorite everything away in trunks and wouldn’t let had told Catherine, “because they would streaked up the stairs to her bedroom, silk blouse and a pair of khaki jodhpurs. me have a thing.” match your eyes. Why are your gray eyes so slamming the door behind her. There was no need for words; they were to­ "But you have the jade bracelet," said violet today?" But there was no sign of the butterfly in gether again. Catherine, “and the book of poems.” Catherine had laughed. "Out of love, 1 the jewelry case; Anne saw only the jade “Anne,” called Mrs. Fitzgerald from the “And the silver ring, and the sweater you daresay. And you should have a wreath of bracelet, still wrapped in its cotton gauze. upstairs hallway as she pounded on Anne’s gave me last Christmas, and the deck of daisies in your hair, white daisies with “Then I am truly alone," said Anne, and bedroom door the following evening, "un­ hand-painted tarot cards,” said Anne. yellow centers. You would look exotic she lay down on her bed, pulling the faded lock this door and come out immediately. “We’re rich,” said Catherine, flinging against the snow." blue quilt over her until it completely en­ For three days you’ve been shut up in your her cards into the air and rolling across the But where was Catherine now? And why veloped her. What would it be like, Anne room, not eating, not even moving around. I bed to lie beside Anne. "We’re very rich.” had Catherine left her? Anne recalled that wondered, to live forever under the blue insist you come out.” Dr. Murphy came the next afternoon last moment she spent with Catherine in the quilt? An endless serenity, in all likeli­ Anne did not reply; instead she smiled at after a locksmith had opened Anne’s bed­ dorm as they waited for their parents to hood; she would name this place the Azure Catherine and whispered, “You’re still room door. “This foolishness is going to arrive at the end of spring semester; Cather­ Grotto, and she would be the Recluse of the wearing that perfume I like so much. It fills end,” said Mrs. Fitzgerald as she entered ine, shrugging on her favorite silk blouse, Azure Grotto. No one else would be allowed the room and makes me think we’re sitting the bedroom with the doctor. “I asked Dr. had said, "But we’ll see each other as soon to enter, certainly no butterflies or winged in a field of lilies of the valley.” Murphy to examine you. I assume you are as we get back to Fall River. Don’t say creatures; Anne would sit on a low stone “Anne!” cried Mrs. Fitzgerald at the door, ill; why else would you stay up here alone goodbye, for I’ll never leave you. I’ll be ledge watching the tide ripple in and eddy pounding harder than before, “arc you all with the door locked?" The doctor, a short with you. tucked into a corner of your around her leet as sne listened to sea shell right? Come out of there, or I’ll send for the trim man with graying hair, set down his medical bag beside the bed and smiled at to the dre.ssing table, her hands trembling, interestingly enough, most of the panel­ cate at all during this conference is that Anne, his hands in his pockets. and began shifting Anne's silver comb and ists, whom you will be meeting over the the homosexual is a human being—a Anne looked over in fright to Catherine, brush set from one corner to another. “Your next three days, have been guest speakers person—and that his homosexuality is who was sitting on the windowsill gazing out father will be very angry when he hears how not only at U.C., but also at the Univer­ only one facet of his whole being. The at the garden. "Don't worry, love," said you have talked to me.” sities of Santa Clara and Stanford as prepossessing, almost morbid, concern Catherine, swinging her legs merrily back “Anne, love," said Catherine, “there's well as various Bay Area state colleges, on the part of heterosexuals with the and forth, "they can't see me. Soon they'll something you can do to put a stop to this. city colleges, junior colleges and high purely sexual aspect of the homosexual’s leave and we w'ill be alone again." Not to mention that I certainly don't have to schools. They have also spoken at vari­ life is something they would not tolerate "The last time 1 saw you," said Dr. listen to it any longer." She hopped down ous seminaries and before many church when examining the phenomenon of Murphy to Anne, "you had a strep throat. from the windowsill and ran lightly across groups. heterosexual ity. How have you been feeling since then?" the room, passing Mrs. Fitzgerald without a Their particular expertise qualifies You cannot judge the heterosexual "I have nothing to say,” said Anne. “A glance. “Fll wait for you at the old elm them as best able to speak to the subject purely on the basis of the sex act, we are person has a perfect right to stay in her own tree," said Catherine from the doorway. _which we arc addressing ourselves to this told. You must think in terms of relation­ room." “Come to me. Think about it, love, and week end, “The Life Style of the Homo­ ships, situational ethics, love, aesthetics, "I agree," said Dr. Murphy, “but it you’ll realize what to do," sexual," because of their academic de­ creativity and productivity. You cannot doesn’t hurt to have a checkup. Tell me, “I hope you’re pleased. Mother," mut­ grees—L.B. and Ph.D. (Bachelor of Les­ judge all heterosexuals by the rapists, where could I wash my hands?" tered Anne after Catherine had gone, and bianism and Doctor of Practicing Homo­ the sadists, the adulterers or the child “Anne's bathroom is through there," she lay back down on the bed just as Dr. sexuality). These degrees ¡ were awarded molesters. Well, if this is true in evaluat­ said Mrs. Fitzgerald, pointing to a door on Murphy entered the room. by the Liberal Arts Division of the ing the life style of the heterosexual, it is the far wall. Dr. Murphy left the rtxtm and When the doctor had finished and had School of Experience in the Homophile equally true for the homosexual. Anne glared at her mother. gone downstairs with Mrs. Fitzgerald, Anne Community. This is an age of revolution—of protest "First my butterfly disappears, thanks walked over to her dressing table and sat This symposium is unique to the against dehumanization and the double to your cruelty, and now you bring this down, looking at herself in the mirror. homophile movement. It represents a standard. It applies to youth, to race, to doctor into my bedroom. When will you "Light brown hair," she said aloud to the marked departure from the usual format politics—to sex. If we are to solve the stop interfering with my life?" reflection, "and green eyes, and a well­ of calling upon outside experts in the problems of today’s world we must "There was no butterfly." Mrs. Fitzgerald shaped nose. I must remember how I looked law, psychology, sociology, etc. to au­ somehow break the communications bar­ rubbed her forehead wearily. "I don't at this moment. Ah yes, Catherine, I’ll meet thenticate the homosexual. This time we rier. This symposium is an attempt to understand you. Maybe Dr. Murphy will be you at the elm." She tiptoed down the are calling upon "inside" experts to de­ do just that. able to." stairs, hurried past the study where her lineate the problems they encounter as a Earlier I pointed out that many of the "Don't listen to her," said Catherine. mother and Dr. Murphy were talking, and homosexual minority in communicating panelists have been guest lecturers or "She couldn't see the butterfly because she opened the screen door on the back porch. with the heterosexual majority. have participated in orientations or con­ is dead inside. But you and I are different, “You’ll never know," she called softly, "and This morning’s panel in "Telling It frontation groups before in an effort to love," you’ll never understand, and you’ll never Like It Is" will not concern itself with the bring about better understanding of "You're dead inside," Anne said to her be able to find a trace of me, for I’ll be with etiology of homosexuality except to say homosexuality. This is not necessarily mother, and Mrs, F'itzgerald gasped. Catherine." Then she left, running across briefly that the causes of homosexuality true, however, for the enablers—the re­ "What a thing to say. I shall speak to the dark green gra.ss without once looking are not clearly defined, that the academic source persons from the homophile vour father, Anne." Mrs. Fitzgerald turned back. theorists are in utter conflict about it community who are in your task groups. (as evidenced by the literature)—and to For many of them this is a very new ex­ remind you that no matter how else you perience—just as it is for you. Some will THE LIFE STYLE OF THE HOMOSEXUAL may look upon the subject there is no be admitting for the first time in public getting around the fact that all homo­ the words, “I am a homosexual." A SYMPOSIUM sexuals are products of heterosexuality. These enablers are your communica­ So perhaps we can at least agree that the tors. They are here to answer questions root cause of homosexuality is hetero­ and to speak from their own particular REPORTS ON A (P.O. Box 6184, Albany, CA 94716). sexual intercourse. life experience. They represent a variety HAPPENING Another Symposium is being Most researchers and moralists have of age groups, occupations, family back­ planned for the latter part of April, concerned themselves almost wholly grounds, educational and economic lev­ Following arc two reports on the 1969. For information, write The with the "why" of homosexuality. We feel els—even life styles. All homosexuals do Symposium on The l ife Style of the Council on Religion and the Homosex­ that the question should more properly not act or think alike any more than do Homosexual held by The Council on ual, 330 Ellis ,St., San Francisco, CA be phrased, “Why not?” For purposes heterosexuals. What we offer you this Religion and the Homosexual in San 94102. of better understanding and getting the week end is a varety of expression and Francisco October 24-27, 1968. The most out of this symposium, we ask you experience. Some of our people may first is an overview and was written by to consider as a basic premise the Kinsey turn you on. Others may turn you off Del Martin, member of the Board of First of all, we want to make it quite theory that all human beings are born But each type of personality has some­ CRH. clear that this symposium has not been sexual and that there are many varia­ thing to contribute to the overall picture The second is a more subjective im­ approved by the Regents of the Univers­ tions of sexual expression, one of which of homosexuality as we consider his self pression written by Joan Granucci. ity of California. Nor is it likely that is homosexuality. image, how he manages the conflicts he president of Nova, a new Lesbian or­ Ronald Reagan and Max Rafferty will The second assumption we ask you to encounters, his relationship to the homo­ ganization centered in the East Bay approve it for University credit. Though accept if we are to be able to communi­ sexual subculture and his involvement and concerns in the larger community. health of an individual such questions However, in order for the panelists are raised, as: Is the individual self sup­ POEMS by CARLA and the enablers to speak to you, to come porting? Does he have adequate sources across in any way, we must all face a of social support? How does he interact very serious question: How' can the with others in the community? Does he homosexual communicate if he is caught accept himself? When the heterosexual Bent Twig up in the cycle of being illegal, immoral meets the minimal definitions of mental and sick, and when he tries to respond, health, he is cleared—given a clean bill of is charged with being defensive, an apolo­ health. But the homosexual, no matter gist or injustice collector? Stop and how good his adjustment in non-sexual All I am I owe to my angel think about that one! It's a helluva com­ areas of life, remains suspect. who, even if she was from Tennessee, munication problem! It is interesting to note, too, that those was an understanding mother. Admittedly, the homosexual is going forbidden, illegal, immoral and sick sex to speak from a subjective viewpoint. acts which society’s institutions are so ex­ We saw eye to eye for perhaps four and one-half months But in your response and your evalua­ ercized about are practiced by heterosex­ when I was around the age of twelve years tion isn't it also true that what he says uals and homosexuals alike—though the and growing fast. will be filtered through your own precon­ sanctions are enforced against the homo­ ceptions and biases? And won't your sexual, while the marriage counsellors My mother told me that some girls love other girls reaction be subjective no matter how ob­ recommend variations in technique to more than they ever love men. jective you may try to be? Will you still save many a heterosexual marriage. allow the homosexual's sexual object There arc so many myths about homo­ .She herself was a lover of women, choice to dominate and control your sexuality. They arc difficult to dispel be­ though not as I am. imagery of him. as you have in the past? cause of reprisals homosexuals experience Will you perhaps—God forbid—change from their families and friends, from their My mother loved me just a little less than she loved God your attitude from one of derision and employers—from their government. Yet and a little more than she loved my father. contempt to one of pity and sympathy? Or the only way that the homosexual can On the Po.sitive Side will you grant the homosexual his per- make himself understood is by coming out sonhood, his individuality, recognizing into the open and identifying himself, by I do not understand his own particular beingness? participating in confrontations such as a world where one's tastes All that is derogatory has already been this symposium. The risks are very real. Are objects said and written about the homosexual. But so are the people who are taking them. for another’s judgment. In recent years, however, there has been When the heart is open, a shift in emphasis from the rhetoric of love falls out on everything. sin and crime to the rhetoric of mental So often people look at couples and Bibliotochnical Education health in considering homosexuality. wonder what they see in each other. And it may very well be that the homo- That "certain something" just isn’t dis­ My mother took me to the public library phile community has indeed eontributed cernible at first glance in most cases. when I was seven years old. to its own undoing. I am reminded of the Judgments are made on the basis of The first book 1 checked out was Snow White. Lesbian who many years ago wrote to stereotypes, people labeled and pigeon­ I read it myself. the editor of THl- LADDER decrying holed, on surface qualities. There just The next thing I read was The Three Musketeers. the efforts of the homophile organiza­ isn't time to investigate further, to get to When 1 was ten years old tions to bring about homosexual law re­ know .someone better. 1 learned about male genitals form. "I'd a lot rather go to the big Ninety people took the time, however, in a medical encyclopedia, house than the bug house." she warned. for a period of four nights and three and at twelve years I studied As it turned out, her fears were well days the weekend of October 24-27 dur­ Jeremy Taylor’s Holy Dying and wept founded. In the name of mental health ing the Symposium on The Life Style of for myself. homosexuals have been subjected to the Homosexual. In a face-to-face con­ The library had high windows and many dark walls of books. brainwashing techniques which red- frontation between professional or I kissed Sylvia on the lips when I was thirteen blooded. patriotic Americans deplore semi-professional counselors and homo­ in the library. when applied by the Chinese Commu­ sexuals, between heterosexuals and nists to our war prisoners. With the homosexuals, a very unique experience single minded purpose of changing the transpired. Barriers to communication homosexual's sexual object choice, the were dropped. Mythological concepts criterion of mental health thus becomes were dissolved. Professional identity Total Confonnity his ability to perform the heterosexual gave way to personal identity. Sexual sex act. This w'ithout relevance to or con­ identity was seen to be only one facet of 1 have recently conducted a private inventory cern for the well being of his future het­ and am pleased to report that out of forty-eight London Lesbians, erosexual partners or possible offspring. forty-eight have ten fingers and ten toes each Ordinarily, in considering the mental Continued on Page 24 and one navel. der the leaky house roof, had been out of the sparkling kitchen, through cubes. This young woman was THE BEE uncertain, trustable only in theii the small knotty-pine parlor with passing—she and her children. They’d untrustworthiness. its braided rug and spooled maple never come again. And the young woman was not Grace. Fat and ’> The weather within walls had furniture, to open the door. For it by James Colton ' ' been hectic, filled with contest, was not Grace. It was simply a rough and mannish, she smelled, yes—but not of horses and Mexican contention, the rough rubbing young woman like her, dark face cigarettes. A stranger. And it felt against each other of human wills, flushed and sweaty, without a trace good again to get to do for people. For d terrible minute. Lily three of them, never wanting the of make-up. It was good, if you could do it thought It Gruee—the big. wide­ same thing at the same time, and “Excuse me, don’t like to bother when you chose. Day in, day out— hipped figure in rumpled shin and each contemptuous of, or. at best, you, but I blew a tire out by your that was something else. Of that chinos coming up the two-rut road indifferent to, the others. In those gate. Fixing it’s kind of slow going. she’d had her fill, and of its in­ between the avocado groves. The days, their wills (or their indiffer­ And I’ve got a car full of kids.” gratitude. Harold’s unfailing sun was fierce. Lily suxxl. in a tall ence)— Harold's, Grace's, had gone Wry apologetic smile. “You know grumbles about his breakfast—too straw hat with a turn-down brim against her growing flowers. Not how they are. You get to the driest cold or too hot, too raw or too well- and a blue denim dress with white until they’d gone— Grace to San place on the map, they’re thirsty. done, too little or too much. Grace cotton rope tnm. SKxxi in the blunt Francisco and, later, charred Har­ If you just had an old pail or some­ thing— ” Her hair was cropped short, fighting the pretty dresses Lily isosceles ot shadow cast by the noon old to his grave— had she been free bought her, deliberately mussing house and watered the wisteria that to summon loveliness, and now the mannish. She Jerked her head in them, tearing them; Grace filling climbed a neat redwood trellis out house was forever surrounded by it, the direction of the house corner her room with sickly kittens and ot' neat redwood tubs. from crysanthemums in November where the hose Lily had thrown down leaked Arabic script on the their fleas, and the discarded She was pleased about the wis- to roses in June to .... dust. “— I could fill it there.” clothes she never, not once in seven­ tena. had tor a life-time longed for Lily shaded her eyes, blinking. It “You have a glass yourself first.” teen years, picked up without Lily’s to climb to the low roof edge and Could it be Grace? That lumpish ssiften the tan little cabin's lines Lily pushed the screendoor and the having had to nag her. Harold walk, the untidy male clothes. She with its feathery leaves and droop­ heavy young woman came in. Lily swearing by those cold outdoor seemed to smell again the smells of ing pale lavender flowers. She'd led her to the kitchen. The drinking^ showers of his that, of course, never Grace— horse and dog smells, glass with its stencilled buttercups'^ cleaned him and which, snorting, tried to make it grow before, but smells of automobile engines, beer, the heat had always got it because looked fragile in the grubby, raw- shuddering, slapping his hairy hide, Mexican cigarettes. Lily dropped she'd not had time enough to kxik knuckled fist. “Then I’ll fix some he always took in the mornings, so the hose in a sudden panic, darted after it in the days of Graee and lemonade and bring it out. I’ll bet that he came to her in bed stinking for the tap, wrenched the water off. Harold. they’re hungry too, knowing chil­ of the long day’s grimy work .... and hurried out of sight around the In the days of Grace and Harold dren. I’ll make sandwiches.” Ah, when it was past, as now it house corner. A heavy bee was but­ she'd had time for them alone. .And The young woman gulped the ting at the back screen door. She was long past, how easily— guilty, the problems of getting the place water, wiped her mouth with the and even, perversely, lonely too brushed it aside with her white staned. the trees fruiting, the old. back of her hand. “Thanks. But I sometimes— still how easily, with canvas gardening gloves and second-hand irrigation system to a don’t like to put you to a lot of slipped quietly into the kitchen. what relief, Lily had begun to level of reliability, wholesalers to a trouble.” breathe. She frowned slightly now, From the window there, with its like pciint. the seasons themselves “It’s no trouble,” Lily heard her­ screwing down the thick red plastic blue-checked cottage curtains hung which, like the human seasons un­ self say with wonder, and began in neat scallops otT their bright cap of the thermos jug and lifting prying cans out of the deep frost in brass rings she watched with tick­ the jug aside. She glanced through the top compartment of the refrig­ the screen door, where the bee still ing heart the gross figure come on. erator. “You tell them I’m coming.” yiully bumped and buzzed—glanced It liHuned large, then edged out of up the rock-garden slope with its the window'-lrame. Shives thumped She got busy with the can-open­ begonias, toward the Uxtl-shed, vvn the front stiHip. The buzzer er. What possessed her she couldn’t which, on the afternoon when Har­ sounded over Lily's head—as if that imagine. But she even hummed, old and Grace had fought there, bee had got inside, inside her very pushing the lemonade concentrate had been naked-board-ugly, but ear. She came to herself and moved out of the little cylinders into a big then, pulling off her gloves— moved thermos jug half filled with ice­ over which now climbed fire-bright bougainvillea. How he’d wanted a dainty, soft, cups, in a carton. She put on her Lily held up the jug. “There’s She’d heard their voices raised delicate little girl. With what puz­ hat again, tucked the carton under lemonade too.” out there, while she stood here pre­ zlement and ultimate disgust he had one arm, picked up the thermos “Gee, thanks,” the blond girl paring supper. She’d paid little at­ rejected what he’d been sent instead jug and with a quick, bird glance at said. But she didn’t budge from the tention; they often quarrelled when — Grace, with her coarse language her safe little nest— still safe from car, just held out her hands for Lily their paths crossed. She’d merely and loud laugh, her sulky slouch of Grace—pushed out the screen door to put the box of sandwiches in sighed. But she’d been wrong. This a walk, never a frilly frock to her and set off down the two-rut road, them. At the same moment, the fat was different. This was final. For back nor a high heeled slipper to her smiling, humming to herself. young woman got up off her knees, smearing dirt across her forehead this time Grace picked up a hatchet foot. Sweat-shirts, Levi’s, cowboy Beyond her neat, strong, white- and swung it at her father. And hit boots and, latterly, a brown Mexi­ rail gate, a car stood on its jack, at as she tried to mop the sweat out of her eyes. The blond girl said, “Aw, him with it. Not on the head, as can cigarette forever dangling from an angle like a beached boat, while you’re not stopping? Jesus, we’ll she’d apparently intended, but on the corner of her mouth. He’d lost the fat young woman, shoulder never get out of this hell-hole.” the forearm, which he’d instinc­ the fight against that. But he’d won muscles bulging, wrestled with a The big girl sighed good-natured­ tively thrown up to ward off the the fight about the whore. For wrench at a disabled wheel with a ly and showed Lily a half smile. blow. She had left him howling and Grace had left— not home, only, but tattered tire. The car was some sort “Just for a short break. Then I’ll bleeding in the dirt, left him at a the valley too. of foreign one, not very big, not tackle it with renewed vigor.” lumpish, thudding run. One letter had come, a month very new, the red paint dull, a fender dented. It had once possessed a cloth “Renewed vigor,” the blond girl The sound of her running had afterward, not asking after her sniffed, and began handing out the alerted Lily—Grace running, pant­ father— had she killed him?— but top. This was folded back in gray rags and streamers. Soiled cotton sandwiches. The youngsters grabbed ing, under these windows, a kind of only for her Social Security card. wadding poked out of the false at them like caged things. Each sobbing in her throat. Lily had gone And then, years of silence. When took a bite. Paused. Faces twisted. out to see. She had fixed a tourni­ Harold died, Lily had written to leather of the seat upholstery. Three tow-headed youngsters— the hot sun Filled mouths opened. “We want quet on Harold’s arm and— she, who her, but no answer had come. Yet hadn’t touched the controls of an reflecting haloes off their hair—were hamburgers,” they yelled. she had surely received Lily’s letter in the back seat. Ages perhaps four, automobile since 1935— driven him “I’m sorry,” Lily said. since it hadn’t been returned .... five, six. In the front seat sat a very The blond girl jerked around in in the old pickup truck, rattling, Harold had been killed by an ex­ jouncing, at panic speed, to the doc­ blond girl in an armless cotton the seat and the back of her hand ploding oil stove in the citrus print dress extremely tight over went across their faces like a stick tor's house on the far side of the groves of Hal Peterson down the lovely, upright young breasts. She along the slats of a picket fence— valley, Harold cursing and damning road, on a sleepless night of fruit­ Grace all the way. wore immense dark glasses and a slap-slap-slap. “You shut up and killing frost in February, 1958— sulk. Her voice was shrill as a eat what you get.” She smiled at The fight had been about some eleven years ago. How peaceful life girl Harold had seen Grace drinking shrike’s cry. Lily shame-facedly. “Dutch spoils had abruptly become. Empty, yes. “Oh, for Christ sake, Dutch, get them,” she said. beer with, late at night, in the But Lily had soon filled the min­ Tackroom Tavern in town— a girl the damn thing fixed. If you’d The fat young woman— Dutch?— utes, hours, days, months, years stuck to the Coast Highway there d had set out the waxpaper cups along with long blond hair and too much with making of the place what she paint and too few clothes— whom have been a filling station. 1 know the car’s hood, hefted the heavy had dreamed, desperately, deso­ you’re too proud to let a man fix it. thermos, and poured each cup full. Harold called a whore. Lily had lately, hopelessly, of its one day smiled then, in the clattering pick­ But I’m tired. I want to get home. She doled the cups out, then held becoming. Pretty. Yes, pretty. You and your scenic drives. We one out to Lily. up, driving into sunset, and she Feminine and neat and shiny. And smiled thinly now. Harold most could die out here.” Then she saw Lily shood her head. “ I must go it had, it was, she had made it so. Lily and rearranged her mouth in a back. It’s too hot for me out here likely knew. Whether on her ac­ All the time dreading at the back of count or Grace’s, he’d taken to smile. The children in the back were at my age.” her mind, in the guilty dark cellar of squabbling. She turned her head. Dutch breathed a small, ironic spending less and less time at home her heart, that Grace might return. those nights. But if whoring was , all “Hey, quiet. This nice lady’s laugh. Her eyes went for a moment Sandwiches finished, neatly cut to the car full of tear-streaked, right for him, it was another thing brought you something to eat.” from corner to corner, and each mouth-stuffed brats and the glum entirely for Grace. one wrapped in wax-paper, she “We’re thirsty!” the oldest one Now, buttering bread, Lily shook said. He had a pink bandaid on his girl looking sour and fed-up, hold­ laid them, together with paper nap­ ing her cup of lemonade. Dutch her head wistfully. Poor Harold. kins and flower-printed wax-paper forehead. shaking, and he is saying things like; said, “Yeah, too hot is right.” She across the back of one hand. She What About That Little Matter of... . wouldn't accept first aid or a wash- BEING TOUCHED I always thought of homosexual and crouched again at the tire. “I’ll "... I was born without a skin . . . heterosexual , . . we discovered in our bring your stuff back.” up. Lily felt certain she’d like a can and then I was told to walk, to live, group how shaky all of our sex identities Moving toward the house again, of beer. Grace had loved beer. But to run . , . every tiny cell and pore ac­ are, like were we really homosexual or trying to keep within the narrow, Lily had no beer to offer. Only wa-. tive and breathing and trembling and heterosexual . . . we discovered how bas­ ter, which was gratefully received. enjoying. 1 shrieked with pain. 1 ran. ically sexual we all are as human beings ragged shadow of the trees, and And as I ran the wind lashed me, and . . . we ended up feeling we knew nothing stumbling sometimes on the loose, Watching the heavy, bunchy fig­ then the voices of people like whips at all about human sexuality, about our weedy clods of plowed earth that ure diminish down the two-rut on me. Being touched! Do you know own identities, let alone those of others margined the grove, Lily continued road, Lily was moved. She closed what it is to be touched by a human , . . we're all epople, human beings, and we've all got sex hangups, sexual prob- to hear, though fortunately fading, the door, found the green metal being! . . . " box in which she kept insurance The dale is Sunday, October 27, lem.s, questions. After the sex films last the shrill nag of thé blond girl s 1968. The time, approximately 5 p.m. 1 night, all of us in our group admitted voice. policies, bankbook, a few produce am seated, along with some hundred disgust, and erotic reactions, and all “Anyway, if you had a halfway stock certificates, and took from it other persons, in a well-lighted audi­ kinds of weird things those films brought to the surface in us . . . we all admitted decent car instead of this old wreck, the yellowed envelope with the San torium—Fellowship Hall, Glide Founda­ Francisco return address that had tion, San Francisco. This is to be the feeling terribly alone during those films, the wheels wouldn’t be all rusted end—the final meeting—of "A Symposium alienated, and wanting desperately just to up. A new car. A good American been Grace’s. Seated at the kitchen ON THE LIFE STYLE OF THE touch the person next to us, but none of car that runs. With a top, for a table, while the bee still buzzed HOMOSEXUAl." which has been go­ us did, because we were afraid to, be­ change. If you could earn a living. drowsily outside the screen, she ing on since Thursday, October 24. At cause they might think it was sexual copied the address in ballpoint on a this final session, all that has been asked when it wasn't . . . we were all shook up You were supptrsed to be the man . . . we ended up talking about how no fresh envelope imprinted with liny of us is a brief report on our response of the family, remember? You were to, and evaluation of, this pilot sympo­ one touches anyone anymore . . . you going to look after us. Never have blue flowers. Then she wrote a sium. The "us" referred to consists of a know, a hand on the shoulder, around to worry again in my life . . . . ” check, put the check into the enve­ majority of heterosexual and a minor­ the waist, a kiss . . , how we re all .so afraid of touching in our society without Dutch came sweating, an hour lope, sealed it, stamped it. Tomor­ ity of homosexual participants. row morning she would wait out at 1 am tired . . . the better word is ex­ it being sexual . . . we wanted to touch later, with the thermos and the car­ hausted. And 1 am aware of the exhaus­ one another . . . we moved the table out ton full of crumpled paper wrap­ the RFD box and hand the enve­ tion of others. We have been together of our way and we pulled our chairs pers, cups, napkins. Grubbier than lope to Mr. Curry, the mailman, now since Thursday afternoon. We have closer and closer together until our knees ever, and with a blood-crustcd cut when he drove by. left one another late each evening and were touching, the sides of our legs were come back together early each morn­ touching, and we talked about this prob­ groups throughout. Purpose of the Sym­ ing. We have sat through lengthy panel lem . . . we don’t know what happened in Continued from Page 18 posium was to view the homosexual in discussions, have asked and answered other groups, but we were wishing the the context of his total life style, not same thing could have happened . . . we the whole person. A rapport was estab­ innumerable questions, have huddled didn't want to leave one another . . . we lished which grew into a deep-felt bond. limiting his identity as a person to the together in small rooms in small groups label placed upon him because of his wondered about i t . . . And by the closing session Sunday eve­ exposing our personal lives, unveiling sexual object choice. I have been on the edge of my chair ning a ‘love-in" took place in tbc Fel­ hidden experiences and feelings, baring Among the registrants to the Sympo­ some of our most guarded emotions listening to my own feelings coming out lowship Hall of San Franciscos Glide sium were psychiatrists, clinical psy­ before others . . . and witnessing in of his mouth. Now, as he falteringly sits Methodist Church. chologists, sociologists, teachers, mar­ down, I slump back in relief. He has said The format of the .Symposium in­ others the painful baring of their own riage counselors, job counselors, clergy, emotions . . . we are drained and ex­ all that I myself wanted to say, and has cluded formal presentations of factual seminarians, college professors and said it so well. The room is quiet. All information to the whole assembly by a hausted. students. A young man stands up to give his par­ others in the room are so quiet. No one homophile faculty of 'experts,” with Not everyone would report the results ticular Task Group report (there were else rises to give a report, not even when diseussions and field trips in small task of the Symposium in the same way. requested to do so. At last a voice from groups led by homosexual enablers. some 12 Task Groups, each composed of There were a few holdouts and drop­ 1 homosexual male, I homosexual female, somewhere in the crowd says, "1 know Sunday worship service at Glide (A New outs. But for those who saw this com­ and from 4 to 6 heterosexual persons). he spoke for every group here." And an­ Word and World for the Homosexual) prehensive program and confrontation He begins his report along rather com­ other voice adds, "We wondered about and the Tavern Guild's annual Hallo­ through without missing any of the ses­ mon and expected lines, offering criti­ the same thing, if any other group was ween Beaux Arts Ball, were included in sions, a spirit of oneness took hold in a cisms and suggestions to be applied to going through the same thing as ours, as the package as were dinners at gay res­ very human exchange. Participants, future symposia. what he was talking about. I guess they taurants and bars, visits to homophile heterosexual and homosexual alike, were did. We're so glad they did." homes, and a multi-media montage on But then something happens. reluctant to pan. And finally. The Rev He looks away from his notes out over And the room returns to silence. the whole spectrum of human sexuality. Charles Lewis, president of CRH, broke the audience and suddenly he is himself ". . . we are brothers. I said. The speed The program was devised as a "total the silence, "Hey, there's a whole world and he is speaking openly, freely and of our vertigoes is the same. We ar­ experience" for participants who were out there! Let’s go and challenge it." with intense feeling, his voice at times rived at the same place at the same expected to stay with their small task momeni, which is not so with other brothers dence, but Colette’s long analysis in ‘The confusion—along, doubtless, with a mascu­ people's thoughts. The language of *Bolh indented quotations taken from Pure and the Impure’ indicates her belief line preference for surnames—Edith took at nerves which we both use makes us House of Incest by Anais Nin. that it was overtly lesbian. Concerning once to calling her beloved Martin. When Michael Field, Sturge Moore’s ’Works and later it became necessary for her co-author to Days' makes it clear that though their rela­ have a full name, Violet adopted ‘Ross’ from SOMERVILLE AND ROSS, a Biography tionship was passionate and not without ex­ one of the several family estates where she pression, the latter was kept within bounds spent part of her life. The pseudonym espe­ SOMERVILLE AND ROSS: a Biography. Probably another cogent reason was that the acceptible to the Catholic Church which cially pleased her mother, who found the keynote of their literary output was a humor­ By Maurice Collis. London, Faber and Fa­ both women joined in middle to later life. somewhat earthy realism of the first Somer­ ber, 1968 ous realism about Irish life, while their con­ Of Edith Somerville, Collis tells us early ville and Ross volumes not to her liking. When a reviewer who know nothing of Ire­ temporary literati were committed to a ro­ that before meeting Ross she had been pas­ Because, as Collis says, the greater part of land, abhors blood sports, and loves cats, is mantic seriousness. (‘G.B.S.’—Shaw—was sionately attached to a distant cousin whose their work reflects a way of life long van­ fascinated by a biography as Irish as the the only exception, and of course he wrote death left her ill for a short time. She was ished (and always of somewhat localized in­ shamrock, one of whose two subjects wor­ nothing about Ireland). Our ladies' works equally drawn to Ross, but the latter ob­ terest), our authors are virtually forgotten to­ ships dogs, is mad-keen on fox-hunting, and comprise travel sketches describing the vari­ jected to the ‘grosser’ aspects of such a love. day. Here again they resemble their prede­ served five or more years as MFH to a small ous trips they managed together, plus a se­ (Ross is said to have known a mild attraction cessors: of Butler and Ponsonby's few liter­ hunt in County Cork—you may be sure the ries of novels and short stories, mostly fea­ to a confirmed bachelor, whose description ary efforts nothing whatever is now extant book is interesting. When one learns that its turing an amusing ‘R.M.’—Resident Magis­ suggests he may well have been potentially except Butler’s daily journal; and the plays subjects are a pair of unmarried women who trate—an office surviving only in northern homosexual.) Somerville proclaimed herself and poems of ‘Michael Field' are read only enjoyed many years of successful literary Ireland. What is considered best among revolted by all males and avoided attending by those with an interest in their lives. Simi­ collaboration, two parallel cases spring at their fiction is 'The Real Charlotte,’ pub­ weddings; but that she was converted to larly, the Irish women’s works never made once to mind: the late-18th century Ladies of lished in 1894. Its heroine is a girl “of the Ross's abstention from overt expression is any great quantity of money. In this respect LLangollen, Eleanor Butler and Sarah Pon- Dublin middle class, not the sort of heroine evidenced by her refusal to yield to Dame they stand midway between their predeces­ sonby (who though they lived in Wales were selected by any Irish writer hitherto,” who is Ethel Smyth’s pleas for complete intimacy. sors; the Llangollen ladies were always born in Ireland), and the late-Victorian En­ taken up by the class socially above her— The latter was by her own confession far ‘poor as church mice,' while with ‘Michael glishwomen Katherine Bradley and Edith their own. This novel enjoyed considerable from lacking in lesbian experience. But Field,’ both partners had sufficient private Cooper who wrote as Michael Field. popular success and was published also in though she took her beloved’s continence means to publish their never very popular Actually, on close examination as many America. hard, it did not mar their long friendship, output privately. Whatever income Somer­ points of contrast as of similarity come to An interesting facet of their collaboration, and Dame Ethel came, via spiritualistic en­ ville and Ross enjoyed did come, hard won, light among these notable pairs. Butler and as Collis emphasizes, is the difficulty of dis­ counters, even to love the departed Ross. through commercial publishing houses. Ponsonby were virtually exiled because their tinguishing the hand of the separate authors, (She later fell madly in love with Virginia Whatever their literary stature, may their relatives objected so violently to their pas­ although he insists that Ross had the greater Woolf.) memory live as one more evidence of last­ sionate friendship. Bradley was Cooper's literary gift. This unity of style is particular­ A final word as to Ross's name. She was ing love between women. young aunt (only fourteen years separated ly significant when one reads of Somerville's born Violet Florence Martin, but among her REVIEWED BY them) and practically her mother until her output after the death of Ross, whom she and Edith’s swarm of relatives there were JEANNETTE H. FO.STER, Ph.D. late teens when they became what they outlived by more than three decades. This other Violets and Florences, and to avoid thought of as a married couple. Thus the introduces another characteristic of the pair: two earlier pairs enjoyed their own indepen­ the spiritualism which was very much the dent households for most of their lives. Som­ mode at the turn of the century, and which of THE COUNSELLOR'S CORNER erville and Ross, on the other hand, were course is particularly congenial to the Irish members of huge clans so close-knit (they temperament with its easy belief in all things had a great-grandfather in common) that supernatural. Both women had experienced by Ruth M. McGuire, Ph.D. they had difficulty in escaping family re­ communion with departed spirits before sponsibilities even for the trips they .shared to Ross’s death, and afterward for the remain­ fertilize their literary inspiration. And final­ der of Somerville’s life she believed she was (THE COUNSELLOR'S CORNER cause them to be lost. No personal re­ ly, while the Llangollen ladies enjoyed the in constant communication with Ross and column consists of your letters on your plies can be made by mail. Letters not friendly interest of many literary and artistic went on profiting from the latter's collabora­ problems with answers provided by Dr. suitable for use in the column will be notables of their day, and 'Michael Field' tion. (She was also sure of the continued ex­ McGuire. Letters submitted for use in destroyed.) knew many of those in their later generation, istence ‘on the other side’ of all relatives this column should not be over 1000 Somerville and Ross had almost no contact who died and even of her adored dogs.) This words in length and should not be Dear Dr. McGuire: with the Gaelic Revival, from which Yeats, devout spiritualism brought her eventually signed except by some "code" name Would you please talk about fidelity, sex­ Synge, 'AE,' Lady Gregory and the Abbey into contact with Dame Ethel Smyth, the chosen by you. However, all letters ual fidelity, its pros and cons in a Lesbian Theatre are familiar to most students of lit­ English composer, who became passionately should be accompanied by a cover note relationship? Do the same rules apply as to erature. attached to her and remained so until after containing your correct name and ad­ heterosexual marriage in a Lesbian mar­ One reason for this absence of literary Somerville’s death. dress. SEND ALL LETTERS TO riage? If so, why? Or, are all the rules fraternizing was that Somerville and Ross This brings us to a final point of compari­ GENE DAMON, EDITOR, THE wrong' Is it possible there should be some were landed gentry and quite out of sympa­ son with the two earlier devoted pairs men­ LADDER, and not to Dr. McGuire, way of making other sexual outlets perfectly thy with the Home Rule wave which later tioned above. Of the Llangollen ladies’ re­ since this only delays them and might ok with both and all marriage partners? would break into such bitter civil strife. lationship we have no incontrovertible evi­ ‘‘More Curious Than Concerned" To "More Curious Than Concerned" much more masculine than she is at present. very good Job. Her Job here is perfectly ade­ sible growth and personal enrichment Fidelily, or the quality of faithfulness is These doctors would, hopefully, be in the quate for her needs and our mutual needs, through the new, although distant, work op­ such a purely individual matter that is vir­ United States but, if necessary, could be though it is true that the new Job is a better portunity. For many this would be the only tually useless to discuss it in a single, iso­ abroad. Job. The new Job is also a temporary Job and real concern. When you say that a "two year lated situation. The circumstances sur­ "Where its at!" she says that a two year separation is no separation is ridiculous" it strikes me that rounding the wish to be, or the need to be, To "Where It's At" problem, but she would prefer that I quit you really think it is anything but ridiculous faithful, can be as varied as the individual Trans-sexual surgical procedures are, as my Job, leave my parents and go with her. 1 —in fact—highly dangerous. Could it be concerned about it. There are probably as you undoubtedly know, a relatively recent feel we should stay here. There is no finan­ that the relationship is so shaky and unsta­ many different kinds, or conceptions, of development in the medical field. The phe­ cial reason or possible advancement reason ble that you pretty well know that a two- fidelity as there are people who would like nomena was first given world-wide publicity for making the move. The alternate sugges­ year separation would wreck it? I think it to think they are. An entire, enormous with the successful surgery performed on tion, a two year separation, seems to me quite possible that you feel obligated to re­ group of people, the United States Marine Christine Jorgensen in Denmark a few years ridiculous. Since I am the major breadwin­ main near your elderly parents, you feel se­ Corps, has as its motto. "Semper Fidelis" ago. .Since then, considerable success has ner, I feel it is my decision. 1 am certain cure in your own good Job, and so why rock —always faithful. But for the usual individ­ been achieved by skilled plastic surgeons in that in a heterosexual marriage there would the boat through risking the separation? ual who espouses a close, one-to-one rela­ many countries of the world in changing the be no other possible decision. What do you Your 'sword-rattling' about being the ma­ tionship with another, as in homosexual or congenital male into the highly reasonable think? jor breadwinner smacks of a controlling and heterosexual union, the concept of fidelity is facsimile of the human female. I am advised "Breadwinner” dictorial attitude that you probably don't another matter entirely. The ‘pros and cons' by an eminent gynecologist in my city that To "Breadwinner” actually have at all, but in your anxiety of attempting sexual fidelity in a Lesbian re­ instances of surgical procedures changing The problem of separation, even though about losing your friend, you are clutching lationship are precisely those in any other the female into the male arc, as yet, much only relatively temporary, for two people at straws, which, if you will really think love relationship. If one’s individual value fewer. This is apparently due to the facts who love each other and enjoy sharing liv­ about it, and honestly probe your deepest system contains the belief that fidelity is that there is less request from women to be ing together, can be painful and frightening. motivations, you may discover arc pretty ■good' and honest' and absolutely essential, changed into men, and, to the extremely The old saw about 'absence makes the heart flimsy and even downright unattractive. then that person will find it more rewarding stringent psychiatric evaluations that com­ grow fonder' too often turns out to mean The separation or remaining together to be faithful than otherwise. On the other prise the initial stages that any female must ■fonder’ of someone else. Tm wondering if should be a mutual, two-way accepted de­ hand, there arc many persons who apparent­ undergo who wishes the change. The this element might not be your real concern? cision. And never forget, the only truly pre­ ly simply cannot, nor do they wish to, con­ thorough psychiatric studies pertain to men You seem to place the major emphasis on cious thing any human being has is the right trol their responses to the timulus of at­ as well as women who request these surgical the financial factors in the situation. You to opportunities that will allow him the ul­ tractive persons other than their avowed procedures. A recent book that may help to mention no concern for your partner’s pos- timate in personal growth and development. love partners. 1 am not aware of any “rules" enlighten you is THE TRANS-SEXUAL or a particular party line that pertains in PHENO.MENON by Harry Benjamin, M heterosexual marriage other than those laid D. down by religion and the laws, and in any My informant advises me that the proce­ event these laws would not apply in a homo­ dures for changing the female into the male sexual union. I have heard countless ra­ begins with, as described above, thorough tionales from guilt-ridden and defensive in­ psychiatric evaluation. If this results in ap­ LESBIANA dividuals who protest that if and when they proval of this change for the female, then are sexually 'unfaithful' to their partners, it follows a hysterectomy and a radical mas­ means nothing at all, really, except a mo­ tectomy—which is surgical removal of the by Gene Damon mentary fun-kind-of-thing or a toss in the uterus, ovaries, etc., and both breasts. Hor­ hay, and that they have not taken any real mone treatment then gradually induces male Nat Markal, aging but powerful execu­ love' from their partners. secondary sexual characteristics to form, tive producer, is THE MOVIE MAKER in As to whether or not it is possible to make such as increased hirsutism (hairyness) Herbert Kastle’s larger than life novel, it perfectly okay for all marriage partners deepened voice tone, etc. Finally, a penis is published by Bernard Geis, 1968. There is male homosexual protagonist a thorough­ to enjoy other sexual outlets is not within developed from the clitoris, but this remains a lot less sex in this than most of the Bernard going son of a bitch, even though he spares my realm of competence to say, nor within non-functional. The entire procedure re­ Geis titles, but Herbert Kastle more than him the bloody ending handed out to about the limits of these pages to discuss. Though quires a considerable length of time, money, makes up for this by using that good old half of the cast. The Lesbian, a washed-up 1 would like to, as the idea is challenging; and individual endurance. For further de­ American standby, violence. The novel is as Marilyn Monroe, through a series of pecu­ perhaps later. populous as the cast intended for Nat's liar incidents, loses (she thinks) the woman « « « tailed information, you may wish to write to John Hopkins University School of Medi­ crowning epic, to be called “The Eternal she loves and commits suicide. Despite all Dr. .McGuire; cine, Division of Psychiatry and Plastic Joneses." There are the bitter insights, the the blood and problems it is fun to read; he Would you please .speak on the issue of Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland. Trans-sexual starry-eyed New York writers getting their knows how to plot, and isn’t too bad with women "changing their sex"—how it is surgical research is being conducted there. beatings, the sexy ingenues getting laid, the his cardboard figures, and he can write good done, what the results are and are not and * * * plots and counterplots. The homosexual dialogue. You’ll enjoy it, but you’ll forget more particularly, would you please recom­ Dear Dr. McGuire; elements are substantial, but nothing to get it fast. It would make a good movie, faint, mend the names and addresses, if possible My friend and 1 (we have been together excited about. Mr. Kastle has always had it damning praise. and ethically correct and proper to do so, of for 3>/i years) have a real problem. She has in for the male homosexuals and his treat­ There is a very important reprint, but one doctors who would perform such treatment been offered a very good Job in another city. ment here is a little less cruel in keeping so out of line monetarily that many won’t as is necessary for a young girl to become 1 have aging parents in this location and a with the times, but he makes his primary be able to take advantage of it. In 1951, those stalwart friends of the short story and United States in hardback. It’s another in lished as always, by N.Y., Random House, seldom so spectacular or as final as that novella forms, Whit and Hallic Burnett, the seemingly endless novels about adole­ 1968. The longest story in this collection, provided by death)—the end of an intense edited the collection, SEXTET, published scents, which, possibly due to this reviewer’s actually a 45,000 word novella, A FEW and passionate (though celibate) friendship. in N.Y, by David McKay. Included in this increasing age, .seem more endless and less TRIPS AND SOME POETRY, is said to Jacklove, a ghost town in Montana, be­ collection of six novellas, was NADIA entertaining with each passing year. This be of major Lesbian interest and promises comes the temporary home of a small DEVEREAUX, by John Eichrodt. It is an is not a bad one, however, and worth paper­ not to be at all unsympathetic or dishonest. group of pseudo-hippies, in Peter Menegas’s essential part of any relatively complete back cost certainly. _ . Several other stories will very likely have overdone, THE JACKLOVE AFFAIR, collection of Lesbian literature, both from To correct an error of omission in the homosexual content judging from Mr. N.Y., Coward-McCann, 1968. Chief Basho its own essential value, and its inspirational Oclober/November, 1968 column. 1 want to O’Hara’s track record in recent years. The (nee John Carl Goetz, Jr.) leads his 20 love source, because NADIA DEVEREAUX is let you know' that the book. COMMON- April/May issue will be the yearly report on people and their eight offspring onto the a female version of Thomas Mann's classic SENSE SEX, by Ronald Michael Mazur, Lesbian literature, and it is already too late free property offered by big-hearted, hungry, novella, DEATH IN VENICE. The col­ Boston, Beacon Press, 1968, contains (in to include Mr. O’Hara’s contribution in rich Orilla Tortini. There they have the use lection. SEXTET, has long sinee become a the suggested reading section) specific those statistics, since I have no way of of the empty saloon, the livery stable, the collector’s item, and is very hard to find and references to an article which appeared in determining how many stories will be perti­ Baptist church and each other. It gets pretty very expensive. It is nice that the famous the January, 1968 issue of THE LADDER, nent, nor their titles. If I get this in time. thick at times, though young Mr. Menegas reprint firm. Kraus Reprints, has now pub­ and gives information on reaching DAUGH­ I’ll try to include it as a separate item in is a good writer. After a few months of lished it again, but it is not nice that it has a TERS OF BILITIS, including correct ad­ the next issue. Random House is being re­ charity life and too little labor, tempers get $10 price tag. However, watch your nearest dress and supplemental data . . . Good . . . markably recalcitrant about supplying short, grass gives out, and the inevitable large public library and any and all univer­ The Bloomsbury apartment house pre­ review copies of pertinent titles to a Lesbian flight begins. The reader is not likely to stay sity and college libraries, for it may turn sided over by THE .MARCHIONESS (Lon­ publication. This is a short-sighted idiocy in Jacklove as long as its inhabitants do. up. It is also possible to get the original don. MacDonald. 1968) is a seedy place, and on their part, and another form of payment There are a couple of Lesbians, and a witty collection through inter-library loan. its inhabitants reflect this sad state of affairs. for being a non-militant minority. You may male homosexual, stock figures in a fami­ And some reprint items with far less ex­ When the working tenants come home in the be very certain that if they published a liar play in an unusual setting, pensive pricetags. Thomas Pynchon'salmost evening, the Marchioness waits furiously collection of short stories with several of Jane Kogan, a frequent cover artist for incomprehensible novel, V, has been re­ for the sign of their return, the use of the concern to the black population, they would THE LADDER, recently shared with me printed by Bantam 1968, first time since terrible and noisy plumbing. With each as- not consider refusing a review copy to any her discovery of a hitherto unknown poetry 1964. AN HONORABLE E.STATE, by ■sault, she raises her umbrella in a gesture of of the black publications. In fairness, it title, ITALICS FOR LIFE, by Antoinette Lane Kauffman, is out from Avon, 1968, unnecessary but hilarious defiance. Since must be added that, to date, every other Quinby Scudder, N.Y., Exposition Press, first lime since 1965. 1967’s sensational, she lives mentally in the time of General major U.S. and most minor U.S. publishers 1947. This is, as some of you will know, a vanity press, meaning simply that the author but not very, THE EXHIBITIONIST, by Gordon and Khartoum, it is not surprising have been eager to please, and anxious to Henry Sutton, has been brought out by that she feels the tenants are barbarian provide review copies for this column. (Fair paid for the publication, and since this is a Fawcett, Crest, 1968, and the almost good, hordes. They are, in fact, more to be pitied enough, too, for until this last calendar year, collection of nearly 600 pages of poetry, she but not quite good enough, novel THE than censored. There is Jimmy and his I purcha.sed personally all of the hundreds paid dearly. Actually, though dreadfully uneven, she is not without talent. Some of SHORT YEAR, by Barbra Ward, is out mother, Mrs. Jimmy, tied too closely. The of books that have been reviewed in the her work is quite good, and it is not loo un­ from Signet, 1968. One very good, not to be death of Mrs. Jimmy precipitates most of pages of THE LADDER under my byline.) likely that the major reasons for her failure missed, though it isn't a major study, the book's rather pedestrian activity. Claire, Another title which will be reviewed in a to achieve legitimate press publication are CAUGHT IN 1 HAT MUSIC, by Seymour aging Lesbian who has the misfortune of coming issue, and which is also too late for her old-fashioned style coupled with her Ep,stein, Pocket Books, 1968. The latter is being stuck with a girl, Margaret, who at inclusion in the statistics for 1968, is THE rather predominant subject matter. Internal beautifully written, a Joy to read. Quite a near middle-age has not quite made up her SLEEP OF REASON, by C. P. Snow . . . evidence in the volume indicates that she also bumper crop of I967’s titles all out in mind yet about what she is . . . an old fami­ DO NOT BUY this, wait for the review. It recent months, THE EXPERIMENT, by is an astonishing and vicious bit of mud published in various years before this col­ liar and always very unpleasant scene. lected volume through the vanity press, Patrick Skene Catling, Pocket B(Xiks, 1969; There arc the Abbotts, a sex and food slinging from a novelist of sufficient impor­ CALL ME BRICK, by Munroe Howard tance, unfortunately, to do us severe damage. Dorrance and Co., headquartered in Phila- oriented couple, who always follow every dclphia, and appeared to some extent in Dell, 1968; ANYTHING GOES, by Bine meal with a quick romp. Mutual caring for And worse, it is obviously intentional THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Strange Petersen, a quality paperback re­ Jimmy, who falls rather badly to pieces as slander. print, Evergreen Black Cat, Grove, 1968, PALACE OF ICE, by Tarjei Vesaas, and a few other newspapers, as well as in a expected, is the only contact the inhabitants volume called NEW JERSEY POETS, and last, and most important, the very warm have, and as they all gather to meet a com­ N.Y., Morrow, 1968 (published as THE and welcome KATIE MULHOLLAND, by ICE PALACE, London, Peter Owen, 1966), published by Henry Harrison of New York mon emergency, becoming in the doing (I do not believe that was a vanity press). Catherine Cookson, Bantam, 1969. This more real, le.ss isolated, the Marchioness is not statistically pertinent since it concerns last is a romantic family chronicle sort of children. However, most readers of this In any case, the volume is very predomi­ drifts more and more away into her fey and nately feministic in tone, and there are a thing, with very major Lesbian roles in­ fantastic shadow world. James Broom- column will enjoy this account of the love volved. Nice, and we don’t see much of that between 11 year old Siss and 11 year old dozen overt Lesbian poems, and some thirty lynne s novel is very well written, but very or so that must be considered variant, in in current fiction. A GIRL CALLED limited in appeal, since there is almost no Unn. Mr. Vesaas is very famous in his own JULES, by Milena Milani, out from Dell, in country, though little known here. In using addition to dozens that are written from the humor in the telling though the opportunity viewpoint of a male narrator. One section is October, 1968 is a reprint of special interest was certainly there. the poignant loss of a child to symbolize primarily because of the rarity of the book in faith in ideals in a world torn by a general similar to the work of Edgar Lee Masters, As this column is being written, 1 have another imitates Japanese poetry. One very this country. This is a 1967 title which was not yet received a review copy of John sense of loss, Vesaas has seemingly unwit­ published in hardback in London by Hutch­ long section, "The Amazons In Attica," O Haras latest collection of short stories, tingly provided an account of one of child­ inson. It has never been published in the which occupies over 130 pages of the book. entitled AND OTHER STORIES, pub­ hood’s common and real tragedies (though is quite pertinent. Half a dozen poems deal Evelyn Berckman is out of her depth in I t h e GAY WORLD, Martin Hoffman M.D.—Significant study ^ with Jeanne d'Arc, including one that quite A CASE IN NULLITY, Garden City, N.Y., specifically treats her as Lesbian. I am sorry Doubleday, 1967, 1968. A greater collection ot homosexuality with up-to-date conclusions...... 5 s to have to add that becaase it is a vanity of unbelievably naive folk has hardly ever 2, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B. TOKLAS. Gertrude publication, it is rare, and won't be easy been assembled between covers (books and Stein—Life with Gertrude—genius Lesbian—as Alice might to find second-hand. Inter-library loan beds alike). Auriol is in her late 20's and is have told it...... ■ ' won't be of help either in this case. Your grieving over the death of her perfect diance, 3, MICRO COSM. Maureen Duffy— 1 he Lesbian world of London ^ best bet, if you are sufficiently interested, is Giles, when she meets glowering, repressed —realistic and pertinent...... to have a second-hand dealer advertise for homosexual, Ivor Hailes, and marries him. 4, 1 HE COl.LEC FED WORKS OF JANE BOWLES— it. Those of you in the Ma.ssachusetts, New Her best friend, Maggie, is, to use her own includes TWOSERIOUSLADlESandCAMPCATARACI 2.4.s Jersey, New York area have the best chance description, perfectly cast “as papa in a .3. QUEEN CHRISTINA, Georgina Masson—"Gifted, erratic at it, since this is the author's home area, Lesbian relationship." However, late in the and eccentric, she was the object of much scandal" and most of the poems that are not historical book she professes mad affection for men. N.Y. Times...... in nature, are laid in these vicinities. I Ivor, having inexplicably married, is, of 6 SONGS OF BILITIS, Pierre Lovys...... ' — haven't checked, but it is very possible that course, wholly unsuitable as a husband. 7. SAPPHO—A NEWTRANSl.AI ION, Mary Barnard— the Newark. New Jersey public library will Furthermore, he is a mental sadist. After as Love poetry by Sappho of Leshos...... * — have this . . . much melodrama as is possible to mount 8. THE WATCHER AND 3 HE WATCHED. Thomas Peachum THE LASI OF THE GREEKS, by considering there are no wind-swept castles _-Close to the edge of pornography . . . and well written Olivia Davis, Boston, Houghton-Mifflin, in this one, Auriol sees a lawyer, and finds 1968, is a light and charming, pseudo-arty that the best grounds she has for a divorce is 9 1 ULU PLAYS, Frank Wedekintl—includes EAR! H SPIRII novel about London society in the 1960's, nullity, unconsummated marriage. How­ and PANDORA'S BOX...... It is written in a style best described as the ever, since Ivor is a "human being” she 10. H IE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE. Frank M arcus- chitch at school. The patient reader with a cannot accept these grounds, at first. There­ Hit play and newly released movie...... good classical background will enjoy it, and after, Miss Berckman (in a late effort, I 11, THE WELL OF LONELINESS. Radclyffe Hall...... -L there is enough soap opera for those who suspect, to save her book) gets into what I 2. NIGHTWOOD, Djuna Barnes ...... - read for entertainment. One major character, she does best, the building of suspense, Ivor 13. FIVE GIRLS, photographed by Sam Haskins...... '-4.^ skulks about making midnight telephone Jean Alexandre, an artist who is bisexual, 14 UNLIKE OTHERS. Valerie 3 aylor...... is almost certainly fashioned on Jean Coc­ calls to the terrified Auriol, and, well, you l.s. WAITING FOR WINTER. John O Har.i—Short Stones— teau, thought not very accurately. There are see the picture. At last goodness triumphs and Pollyanna decides she will use the eight pertain--two Lesbian in theme...... a pair of Lesbians, who do little to advance 15. ANYTHING GOES, Bine Strange Peterson -Well-written nullity grounds and divorces Ivor. There arc the .story, but Humphrey Cooke and Clunn but depressing story ol a Danish Lesbian...... - Mortimer will be recognized as figures of not some scenes appended in a hapless effort to lend psychological credence to the incredible 17. THE LESBIAN IN AMERICA. D. W. Lory...... unpleasant stereotype origins. The plot is 18. i h EGRAPEVINE,JessStcarn--Documentary...... built around the reaction very traditional talc. We don’t really know, at the end, just what will happen to Auriol. What is more, 19 Three assorted "Trashics"—Bad but tun ...... artist, Mark Prentiss, has when thrown in­ 20'. international GUILD G U ID E-1969-G ay spots, bars we don't really care. to contact with his former wife, and the man and meeting places—iheworldovcr —including USA...... ■ ■ • - ■ who stole her away, J ean Alexandre. Foolish, 21 SOME FACTS ABOUf LESBIANS—DOBquestionnaire results. 1.00 foppish, family fun and games. A serious and foolish error was made by James Colton's KNOWN HOMOSEX- me in the December/January column. 22. W.S.D. 6 Newsletter...... — UAI-, Brandon House, 1968, really loads Author Tana De Gamez’s book reviewed was shown as LIKE A RIVER OF LIONS. If you don't see it—write and ask for It, ^ o C ■ ^ P ¡ n the action and the scales against his Negro Free copv of OLIVIA with every order ytJILlUVJC DLCIII male homosexual protagonist. Steve is The book actually being reviewed was THE over $6.00 (Formerly DOB Bookservice) married to a white girl, has a white boy­ YOKE AND 1 HE STAR. The earlier novel, friend, impossible parents, and several LIKE A RIVER OF LIONS, by Tana De hangups. When Coy, his lover, is found Gamez, was a very major Lesbian novel, and memorial bookservice dead, all the evidence points to Steve. In was published in 1962, in New York, by 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 getting out of this corner, we get a complete Graphic Society. It was issued as a paper­ back by Paperback Library in 1963 and 21 22 playback on Steve, and it is a full life. Enclosed is my check for $ P'ease ship the book(s) encircled Steve's tramp type wife leaves him to live again by them in 1967. LIKE A RIVER with a photographer, Bernie, who is a rather OF LIONS was reviewed by me in the May above. forceful Lesbian. Bernie's role is minor, but 1964 issue of THE LADDER. The biblio­ she is accurately if not sympathetically graphic data for THE YOKE AND THE NAME drawn. Mr. Colton is a very good writer. It is STAR is correct in the December/January a shame he is more or less restricted to the column published by Bobbs-Merrill, 1966 ADDRESS tripe paperback market by subject matter and issued in paperback by Belmont Books, and forthright approach. 'The last third of 1968. LIKE A RIVER OF LIONS is, un­ Note: Your check MUST include the postage and packing fee o f lOc a hook, this is as taut a mystery as any you'll read, fortunately, out of print. Best bet for ob­ (max 50c i and lax if New York Slate resident. 291 MERCER STREET n ew YORK, NEW YORK 10003 though the book's cover billing will attract taining it would be your second hand paper­ only those interested in homosexuality. back stores in larger cities. this is valid, then, he further mentioned, it is now known) and Dick Leitsch, Execu­ we would have to bann all modern medi­ tive Director of Mattachine Society of cine. New York, representing the male homo­ SPECIAL RELEASE TO THE LAD­ sexual viewpoint and our own Martha DER FROM FLORENCE CONRAD; Shelley, President of the New York Chap­ Americans for Democratic Action, a lib­ ter of DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, speak­ eral political action organization founded ing up for the lesbian. It was a good pre­ in 1947, has spoken up for homosexual sentation, with both Dick Leitsch and rights. In their annual review of the orga­ Martha Shelley cool and collected under nization’s national policy recommenda­ what was clearly a pressure interview. This tions, entitled "A Program for Americans received national press coverage, wit 1968-1969,” under the heading "Civil Lib­ accounts appearing in papers all over the CROSS CURRENTS erties” appears the following sentence; United States. real crime (crime that injures people and "The sexual activity of consenting adults WOMEN’S RIGHTS DISCUSSED SEPIA MAGAZINE, September, 1968, when conducted in private is not an IN THE UNITED NATIONS: Wednes­ in an article entitled THE HOMOSEX­ property). SHOCK OF A HIDDEN WORLD, appropriate matter for criminal or other day, November 6, 1968. Newspapers UAL FIGHTS BACK, uses much of the governmental sanctions.” around the country carried a report on a material in Charles Alverson s now nearly screams the headline for Richard Schickel s four page, ILLUSTRATED, article on She goes on to share with us this quota- Swedish governmental report to the United famous July 17, 1968 WALL STREET tion from Robert F. Kennedy, which also Nations on the status of women. From the JOURNAL report on the homophile Lesbian movies in LIFE MAGAZINE. November 1, 1968. It isn't a bad article, appears in the cited A.D.A. publication: sober tones expressed, one might imagine community. LADDER readers need not that war had broken out on the kitchen though Mr. Schickel obviously knows very "Some believe there is nothing one man look it up. because it ignores the Lesbian or woman can do against the enormous range. The solution suggested to the prob­ as usual. It is, however, a pat and not pan. little about Lesbians, though more about lem of freeing women for more productive movies. Just to be sur^ everyone under­ array of the world's ills. Yet many of National President, Rita Laporle, was work was to give men more time to be stands the term (I guess) they include four the world’s great movements, of thought featured in the November issue of SEPIA, and action, have flowed from the work home carrying on the household chores. A which ran the following letter; stills of women embracing, three of them ridiculous idea, however, and obviously a about to embrace and a panoramic shot of of a single man .... Dear Editor: Few will have the greatness to bend sneaky attempt by the male population to How encouraging to find so sympa­ London Lesbian nightclub "Gateways" get more time for fishing, hunting, foot­ including some of its members acting as history itself, but each of us can work to thetic and clear-headed an article as change a small portion of events—and ball and poker. Whatever men might de­ "The Homosexual Fights Back." As a movie extras in THE KILLING OF SIS­ cide to do with extra time off from their TER GEORGE. The first thing that in the total of all those acts will be writ­ Lesbian. 1 belong on the one hand to ten the history of this generation. It is jobs, it is unlikely they’d devote it to baby­ that oppressed minority that cuts across comes to mind is that among the very at­ sitting and household chores. If they did tractive women in this picture, the only from numberless diverse acts of courage color, sex and ethnic groups, and on the and belief that human history is shaped. stay home it would be only to manage to other hand, to that oppressed majority odd looking one is actress Beryl Reid in get under foot. Dr. Margaret Mead, emi­ drag as Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy. Each time a man stands up for an that includes all women---- ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, nent anthropologist, agrees that some means Sick .... Our organization, DAUGHTERS OF or strikes out against injustice, he sends must be found to free women from the BILITIS, is not really "militant” as the STILLWATER, OHLAHOMA, No­ household handicaps, but that solution, vember 20, 1968: Oklahoma State Univer­ forth a tiny ripple of hope and, crossing term is used today. But it IS persistent. each other from a million centers of en­ she says "can’t be found by merely giving We are one of the oldest homophile sity students, 1000 strong, began a 3 day husbands more time around the house." symposium on sex and morality, "Sexpo ergy and daring, these ripples build a organizations, having been founded in current that can sweep down the might­ BACK TO THE DARK AGES, would 1955. Our magazine, THE LADDER, '68" on November 18, 1968. First major be a fitting title for the series of courses address was delivered by New York City iest walls of oppression and resistance. has been published continuously since NBC RADIO aired its usual Sunday being presented for women only by the 1956. Never underestimate the power psychotherapist. Dr. Albert Ellis. He told University of Nevada, at both its Reno and the students that any act is unethical and night talk show. Second Sunday, titled of a Lesbian! from its appearance on the second Sunday Las Vegas sites. Peg Ward, writing in the PLAYBOY MAGAZINE, November, immoral “if you needlessly do yourself in Nevada State Journal, Sunday, October of each month, on Sunday, November 10, 1968, features a letter from Michael Han­ —go against self interest—by doing this act, 1968, with some differences. The show’s 20. 1968, seems very pleased that the uni- non, Los Angeles attorney, in which he de­ and second, if you needlessly do in another title, ‘The Sexual Revolution” was a mis­ vereity has a “mini university” program scribes his recent attempt to become dis­ person." He pointed out that “sex acts nomer, as many of the guests on the show for women, with the wonderful title "To­ trict attorney in Los Angeles. He failed to may be unethical for exactly the same rea­ pointed out. It was a good look, though, at day’s Home Builds Tomorrow’s World.” make it, but considers his failure a victory, sons, but not because sex is involved.” He The courses offered are almost as world­ our increasing liberty to talk about sexual­ since he received 23% of the total vote cast, went on to strongly criticize laws against shaping in scope as that title: New Fash­ ity publicly. Guests included Dr. Wardell or nearly 500,000 votes. His platform was both homosexuality and prostitution, and ions for You,” "Kitchen Creativity,’’ ’’Gar­ Pomeroy, formerly of the Kinsey Institute strongly based on sexual law reform, and he advocated legalizing abortion. Another dening with Year-Round Color,” and and now chief of the National Society for drug law reform. As a candidate he prom­ speaker. Dr. Edward W. Hobbs, Professor "New Fabrics For Today and Tomorrow.” the Study of Sex, Dr. Albert Ellis, Profes­ ised that if elected he would simply stop all of Theology at Berkeley, California, criti­ BLEAH'"!!!!, as Lucy would say. prosecutions in these areas, .specifically cized the Roman Catholic Church ban on sor Charles Winick, author of THE NEW PANTS MUST GO!, says Harriet Van SEX (he is worried about boys with long "all sexual offenses between consenting birth control pills. He pointed out that the Horne, in an article in the New York Post, adults; fornication, adultery, oral copula­ reason always given for banning contra­ hair and girls in jeans—where has he been November 15, 1968. Same old cry, we are tion, sodomy and homosexual acts.” He ceptive devices and medications is that for the last 30 years?). Dr. Paul Gebhart. "blurring” the sexes, and Joe Namath is also promised to spend more time fighting they interfere with natural processes. If present head of the Kinsey Foundation (as wearing a mink coat, and boys are boys, as the commercials themselves. and girls are girls, and she decorates this PERSPECTIVE, a San Francisco talk hilarious tirade with some of the choicest show on Radio Station K.F.R.C., Sunday quotes I've seen in years: “light footed night, November 24, 1968, dealt with Les­ lads in the rag trade" and “They are also, bianism. Paneliiits included two represen­ in a terribly depressing way, unwhole­ tatives of the San Francisco group, NOVA, some" and “This neutering of the sexes" Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon of DOB, and (what have they got in those pants, Dr. Ruth M. McGuire. Good, unbelievably knives?) "is a thoroughly revolting, nasty honest reporting. More of the tell-it-like-it is business,” and, best of all, “This mon­ that we need. strous role-changing can only bode ill for OVERSEAS RELATIVES. We are our society.” Really, I think Miss Van often asked if there is any other Lesbian Horne bodes ill for our society. What this magazine in existence besides THE LAD­ is all about is the more recent return to the DER. Yes, there is an English magazine To The Editor; child could have chosen to have different popularity of pants for women, which is called ARENA THREE which is pub­ James Colton (“The Homosexual Iden­ experiences. To state these assumptions is hardly new and has been running in cycles, lished by Esme Langley and Co., 44 Platts tity”—September, 1968) may be a crack to expose their absurdity. As to the adult not, as some think, from the time Marlene Lane, London, N.W. 3, England. It is a writer, and he may have all the right advice homosexual whose homosexual identity is Dietrich wore pants, but from the time that monthly publication done by some sort of when it comes to social action for homo­ deeply ingrained and felt, providing he is Sarah Bernhardt had two piece slack suits mimeograph or similar method, running sexuals. not causing damage to others, he is under made for her with side fasteners in 1869!!! to around 14 pages, measuring 10" high But his arbitrary insistence on the genetic no obligation whatsoever to change or PAKIHOGENETIC BIRTH experi­ and 8" wide. This magazine was formerly origin of homosexuality is preposterous and attempt to change—even if he could. Self ments make interesting reading. It is sur­ published by MINORITIES RESEARCH damaging to our cause. Had he merely re­ respect need have nothing to do with one’s prising, however, to continually be remind­ GROUP, but has always been under the ported the findings of Levine, Lisk, and condition in life, nor with the origin thereof ed that many scientists are working fever­ direct control of Esme Langley, current Slater, he would have done his readers a —but should spring rather from the manner ishly to find some way of implementing editor. ARENA THREE costs $8.00 per service, and perhaps offered food for in which one tries to live his life. this in human beings. SCIENCE JUST year, and American subscriptions are han­ thought in an area of much uncertainty. Florence Conrad MIGHT MAKE MEN SUPERFLU­ dled by E. A. Carty,”Colaba," 4 West But it is not helpful to speak of the Kail- SanFrancisco.California OUS, says Washington Post writer, Claude Road, Emsworth, Hants, England. In a re­ man studies as though they have not been Koprowski, in a feature article, Novem­ cent letter to our National President, heavily criticized; and it is ludicrous to Dear Gene Damon; ber 24, 1968. Seems silly in a world where Rita Laporte, Esme Langley in speaking round out each paragraph with the chant­ Since reading .Mr. Colton’s article, I the birth of each child may be a moral on the value of organizations and their ing non-sequitur “In other words homo­ have read various scientific studies on homo­ crime again.st the already living. publications, says: “But for THE LAD­ sexuals are born that way”—as illogical and sexuality, most of which disagree with the AS LONG AS THERE’S THE FOUR DER, we over here would never know offensive as a singing commercial. The theory that it is an inborn condition, like OF US, this from TIME MAGAZINE. that DOB even existed, and wc arc just undramatic truth is that the relative role of lefthanded-ness. November 29. 1968. Seems that armadillos one corner of the world. A publication is a genetic and environmental factors in caus­ For one thing, many people are able always produce four offspring at the same •voice’ that reaches across the world, as ing homosexuality is simply not fully known to enjoy both sexes. For another, nobody time and that they are always identical well as across the USA, and a minority, a as yet. has found a chromosome which can be quadruplets (BRAVE NEW WORLD in group or a movement without a voice is I have never understood why the self- designated “sexual preference," and nobody the animal kingdom?). A scientist work­ a dumb’ one in any sense of the word respect of homosexuals must depend upon has found a specific formation of the brain ing to see if there were any differences in dumb.' By the time you read this column, believing that their condition is inborn. On which can be linked with sexual preference. these identical animals found that, indeed, ARENA THREE will be at least two is­ the other hand, it is quite as ridiculous to Until specific physical characteristics can there were many such differences. Prior sues into its sixth year of publication. claim, or imply, as some psychiatrists do, be linked with homosexuality, I will con­ theories, however, have stated that there that if homosexuality is environmentally tinue to regard the “inborn" theory as un­ should be no differences at all. The article determined, then it follows that homosexuals proven. lamely concludes with "... we could also THE OCCULTIST are "to blame" for their condition, and Suppose, however, that the theory is be completely ignorant about how the She broke her looking-glass last night; should feel obligated to try to change it. true? I doubt if American society would be most fundamental characters are inherited She knew it was a warning; Neither conclusion is valid. Let us assume any more compassionate than it has been in mammals.” Yes, at least! She thought about those seven years first, for the sake of argument that homo­ in the past. Wc would be treated as genetic Certain commercials on television and And shot herself this morning. sexuality is inborn. Yet the manner of living defects—who would want a homosexual in national magazines during the last half his life may be such that a given homosexual child? Efforts would undoubtedly be made of 1968 have inspired a total of eleven would have no grounds for self-respect at all. to rid the population of homosexuals letters to THE LADDER. This may simp- SURFEIT Alternately, let us assume that homo­ through eugenics. Even before genetics be­ lyprove that almost everyone watches TV sexuality is the result of early development came a science, the public was compassion­ Quiet love that sits and sighs; some of the time. Certainly the dedicated —that a given infant could go either way, ate towards the physically handicapped, trend spotting editors of MAD .MAGA­ Soaring love that roams the skies; depending upon the course of his childhood but recoiled in horror before the homo­ Both are pleasant but, my dear. ZINE have been watching, and in the experiences. To conclude that the child who I’ve had my fill of love this year. sexual. December 1968 issue, they have a parody goes the homosexual way is “to blame” It would be easy to say “We were born full page ad entitled “AMERICA’S GO­ assumes (I) that the condition is in itself that way,” and avoid the possibility that ING DRAG!". Fun, almost as much fun — Maura McCullough blameworthy, and (2) that the individual we might have chosen homosexuality out of irrational motives, or even rational ones, of special pleading which uses .scientific re­ $10.00 for THE LADDER. I will send $5 based on childhood experiences, as the search to come to unscientific conclusions understood self-disclosure" is beautiful and psychologists would have it. But before we surely does not help to strengthen such a monthly until further notice. Why don’t should be a recognized goal of any respon­ jump on the genetic bandwagon, let us re­ case. you ask for monthly pledges from those sible person, regardless of sexual affiliation. member that the public will not necessarily Isadore Rubin, Ph.D. interested in seeing THE LADDER con­ I agree that if we want to enjoy such honesty, treat us with rationality or compassion just Editor, SEXOLOGY MAGAZINE tinue? one of the prerequisites is to regard ourselves, because we can prove that we are not re- J. P. in private and in public, as completely and .sponsible for our sexual orientation, To the Editor: Sacramento.California naturally acceptable. (Edilor's Note; Thank you, J.P., for askinp Alice M.Kobayashi Mr. Colton makes quite a point of stating Many of us appreciate the pioneering for me.) New York, N.Y. that “homosexuals are born that way." I am spirit of those who devote time and talents to our social acceptability, but wonder if we Dear Miss Damon: willing to accept the possibility that trans­ sexuals could be born that way, indeed Dear Martha Shelley: have much to contribute to this cause be­ It is unfortunate that James Colton's Your essay, “On Marriage," in the yond our interest and thanks and reasonable article in your September issue—which con­ many transsexuals feel they are women who are locked inside a man's body; but I do not October/November issue, contains one glar­ public behavior. You tell us to get out of tained many worthw'hile points—should ing omission I feel compelled to point out: the sandhole, but if we do, where do we go? have been marred by his dogmatic refrain believe that homosexuality is physiologi­ cally determined. There are a few sex-linked that of commitment. The union of two You are obviously not advocating making that “homosexuals are born that way." people of any sex needn't necessarily be a indiscriminate public announcements of our The scientific experiments he cites—all of genetic disorders where an extra X or Y chromosome is transmitted, but this is a marriage, but it is a commitment, with its private interests, but only emphasizing the them involving good research—do not prove concomitant responsibilities, responsibilities rare phenomenon. When these disorders fact that there arc times when wc could that homosexual behavior is inborn. Some for the other as well as for yourself, for the occur, they are frequently accompanied by help others by declaring ourselves. Fine. of them suggest that some individuals may successes as well as the failures. It is a deep, mental retardation. People with dLsorders Tell us more about how we can be helpful. have a congenital predisposition to being mutual sharing that cannot occur in (he of this nature cannot be classified as homo­ I'm seriously interested but lack the imagi­ conditioned toward homosexual behavior, type of relationship you advocate. sexuals. nation to start my own crusade. which is quite far from the unequivocal con­ Are you aware that a “marriage" need I'm particularly interested in your con­ clusion that they are “born that way." With very few exceptions we are all born not bind finances, friend.ships, or sexual either males or females, but we are not born cern for legal equality, especially in the Kail man's study has been open to certain activity? That such a binding can be a matter of property rights. You maintain knowing which role—masculine or feminine question and a number of later studies of voluntary matter, undertaken because a that a Lesbian is particularly disadvantaged identical twins have established cases where —we are to play. Cross-cultural studies person has already found what she considers without “extremely good legal counsel." one twin became heterosexual while the leave little doubt that sex identification is to be the epitome of a friend, a sexual I'd like to add that in this complicated other became homosexual. learned. In some societies traits we have partner, a lover? You seem to be jumping society anyone without good legal counsel arbitrarily called masculine have been just Colton makes a serious error when he from a horrible view of “marriage" to an is disadvantaged, anyone with as much as as arbitrarily been called feminine, to the takes a study of the effects of hormones on opposite extreme, one devoid of responsibi­ $500. the lower mammals and applies their re­ peoples of that culture. lity, deep care, and. yes, love. You refer Jocelyn Hayward to the Coun­ sults directly to humans, whose behavior None of the studies Mr. Colton cites Hopefully, as each in a “marriage" sellor's Corner for all personal and marital is not mediated by hormones anywhere to clearly support his assumption that “homo­ grows, so will the other—together expand­ problems. Could you perhaps also provide the extent that the behavior of the lower sexuals are born that way." For instance, ing, evolving, uniting first as one and then an article on legal problems from some mammals is. Animal research can never be he quotes E. Slater's study of “Birth Order as two individuals. Growth in different qualified person? I'd especially like to more than suggestive of the direction that and the Maternal Age of Homosexuals" as directions isn't necessarily a cause for a rift. know: research on humans should take. showing that the homosexuals “were gener­ Sure, there are spats—some serious, some 1. How can one find out one's own state Most of the research done on animals ally born later in the life of the mother not—but on reconciliation, growth is usually laws concerning homosexuals—short of con­ deals with the masculinizing or feminizing than would be theoretically expected.” Mr. evident, and each person can once again sulting a lawyer? of their later behavior by prenatal injections Colton goes on to say "In other words, meet the other as a unique individual, one to 2. How does one go about .selecting a of hormones. It does not even specifically homosexuals are born that way." be enjoyed anew. Why jump around when lawyer and how much should one tell a relate to homosexual behavior. The most we Slater's study does not offer any support the myriad qualities of humanity can be lawyer about personal situations? can say at this stage about humans is that whatsoever for that assumption. All Slater's found in one person— if you are willing to 3. How can (wo people who are unre­ human homosexual behavior may depend study says is there is a correlation between expend the effort? lated become joint owners of property? on his prenatal hormonal make up. as is the age of the mother and the incidence of A twosome is not necessarily the emula­ Doesn't this vary from state to slate? Are done by the scientists quoted by Colton. homosexuality in the son. Correlations say tion of a marriage of any sort. What it there any general rules applicable to most This is a far cry from the type of positive only that there is a relationship between A should be is a real, total commitment to states? conclusion drawn by Colton. In fact, one is and B. It says nothing about A causing B. another human being. A declaration that (Editor’s Note: Perhaps one of the lawyers on safer ground if he says that so far there It can just as easily be inferred from Slater's this person is worth being responsible for, reading this might volunteer a reply. It is no scientific evidence that homosexuality study that older mothers have more of a de­ in financial ways and every other way would he appreciated.) is caused by constitutional or inherited sire to keep their little boys passive and possible. Carla Sutten factors. dependent, traits our society considers L. b ! Virginia The case for establishing a homosexual feminine. ClevcIand.Ohio identity and for doing away with the unjust Name Withheld by Request (Editor’s Note: Regarding helping with this legal and social penalties that make the I Minneapolis, Minnesota To the editor: work, Miss Sullen, have you tried getting homosexual a second-class citizen rests on Dear Editor: The declaration (in “The Least of These," every possible interested parly of your very strong grounds—the fundamental rights You can't be delicate when you need by Marilyn Barrow—October/November, acquaintance to subscribe to THE LAD­ of every person in a democracy. The kind money for a good cause. Enclosed check for 1968) that we must have “absolute and DER? That's one way.) Dear Gene Damon: We are very much in the public eye, we own After reading the October/November our own home, are active in our community, Four Poems by Carlo [.ADDER. 1 have to respond to some of the active in various professional societies. We things said in Jocelyn Hayward’s letter to arc constantly together, pubically, yet we the editor, and “The Least of These, by have never had any kind of trouble. Of course, we are contributing members of our .Marilyn Barrow . It seems to me that there is too much community and do not otherwise engage in Bent Twig emphasis on the many diffieulties in a Les­ conduct opposed to the generally accepted bian's life. I view this attitude with suspi­ mores. I do not say that this is either right All 1 am 1 owe to my angel cion. I cannot find these difficulties in my or wrong. I merely say that those Lesbians who, even if she was from Tennessee, own life, and in the lives of many of my who run into trouble because they live was an understanding mother. friends. Having lived the belter part of two generally non-circumspect lives, should not We saw eye to eye for perhaps four and one-half months decadesw ith myfriend—openly, insuburbia, blame their troubles on their sexual orienta­ when I was around the age of twelve years as professional people, 1 think I have some tion. and growing fast. experience and a base for judgement. I find I hear so much about legal problems, My mother told me that some girls love other girls that most of the problems come from being, espeeially if one of the partners dies. I can­ more than they ever love men. first, a single woman in our society, and not understand these problems. First of all, She herself was a lover of women, second from non-sexual conduct unaccept­ our families do not even know the state of though not as I am. able to the majority. I feel that the diffi­ ourfinances—what typesofinsurance,saving My mother loved me just a little less than she loved God culties many Lesbians complain about accounts, stocks and bonds, etc. We have and a little more than she loved my father. have little to do with their sexual orienta­ a joint bank account, our insurance policies are made out to each other, our home is tion per se. Some of the difficulties w ith family, legal owned jointly. You don't need expert legal and inheritance problems, even job com­ advice for this, just common sense. Of On The Positive Side plications come from the ridiculous secrecy course, if there is much "free” property, some Lesbians insist on. Two girls who are a will is needed. Of course, too. if a couple I do not understand afraid to be seen in public together have a is afraid to have things jointly, then all of a world where one’s tastes problem, and their Lesbianism has little to this is not possible. In that case I feel they Are objects do with it. We are always together; we used must sacrifice these things for the secrecy for another’s judgment. to work together; now we spend every they feel is necessary—I feel it never is! When the heart is open, Julie love falls out on everything. second of our non-working time together. Newjerscy Bibliotechnical Education AFTERWARDS My mother took me to the public library when I was seven years old. Afterwards when you hear the wind blow The first book I checked out was Snow White. you must leave your warm house, BUTTERFLIES I read it myself. leave all and walk alone, The next thing I read was The Three Musketeers. for 1 shall live with the wind, We watched them come, When I was ten years old keep company with breezes. first singly, hesitating in the air, I learned about male genitals then more and more in a medical encyclopedia, Do not seek me in flowers until the tree was filled with them, and at twelve years I studied or in rivers rushing to the sea— Jeremy Taylor’s Holdy Dying and wept you will not find me there; filled with pale wings and silence, for myself. none of these would contain me; as they clung to the rotting apricots, The library had high windows and many dark walls of books. I shall rise beyond them into the wind. swarms of butterflies I kissed Sylvia on the lips when I was thirteen like vultures with a corpse; in the library. Listen for me in darkness or sunlight and if I am absent, whistle for the wind, even the birds left our yard, then I shall come, and we stood watching by the window, blowing you into my arms as you walk, unable to go outside to pick the fruit Total Conformity into the arms of the wind. for fear of butterflies. I have recently conducted a private inventory and am pleased to report that out of forty-eight London Lesbians, forty-eight have ten fingers and ten toes each Melinda Brown and one navel. THE LESBIAN IN LITERATURE poems by Maura McCullough a bibliography By Gene Damon and Lee Stuart t h e CHINESE WATERCOLOUR AN ALPHABETICAL LI.STING BY AUTHOR OF ALL KNOWN BOOKS

Plum-scented,lUill aWVMSVV*, with —a rain-washed loveliness. IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, IN THE GENERAL FIELD OF LITER­ the lady from the Chinese watercolour ATURE, CONCERNED WITH LESBIANISM, OR HAVING rushed into my heart last night LESBIAN CHARACTERS on tiny feet, then paused, solemn and sloe-eyed, to gaze at me. DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. You!" 1 cried, "and how can you be here'.' But she did not reply; 1005 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94103 $2 plus 25c handling charge. she stood silent, unsmiling. her head tipped to one side while the gold-threaded kimono quivered and rustled. 1 trembled to see her, suggested jasmine tea or almond cakes and gestured to a chair, LET IT GO but she seemed not to hear; don’t hang on any longer somewhere temple bells rang out we grow weaker not stronger in a slow echoing stream of sound. we are not as we were She disappeared; now I am left with in the beginning only a watercolour strangers/who met and two dark eyes that follow me, and because of a simple meeting fill me with an ache became involved . . . of hopelessness. now you won't/can't forget Anguish it is, and more, to love no matter how i try to explain/ someone to let go gently— who never makes reply. you pull all the more thinking that your strength will bond us as before it's only making it harder DIETER'S COUNTING-OUT RHYME if that's possible— Madeleine never lets calories matter let it go (Butterscotch sundaes and artichoke let it go baby hearts); with/out the tears Eats as she pleases and never gets fatter and the rest of the scene (Country fried chicken and strawberry that goes along with splitting tarts). we've talked of the others Someone's new' meal plan? I'm eager and you’ll be talking to try it of me soon (Saccharine in coffee and crackers telling the next today); what we had together Madeleine never has reason to diet let it go (Breakfasts of whipped cream so the next time will come and chocolate souffle). don't hang on any longer Madeleine can't be allowed to continue we grow weaker not stronger (Arsenic on grapefruit and lye in her tea); Once she is gone maybe then I’ll be thin too L. D. Davis (Cherries with rat poison sauce Jubilee). on the empty-headed, childish Alice. Later, she loses Alice THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE to a predatory and much more cruel woman. In the end, sit­ ting alone in their flat. Sister George is a figure of pathetic reality. Reviews of the play as seen in London make it clear that Mr. Marcus’s play was followed to the letter. When Sister George came to the New York stage, however, the changes began. Now Sister George is simply sadistic, with no explanation. While it had a very successful run in Produced and Directed by Robert Aldrich New York, audiences and critics alike came away feeling Starring Beryl Reid as Sister George, mildly queasy. Susannah York as Alice and Coral Browne Robert Aldrich, noted for his “humanistic” movies (WHAT­ as Mrs. Mercy Croft. EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE and THE DIRTY DOZEN) has outdone himself with this one. The movie is garish, noisy, tinkles like tin cans in the trash, and purports to There is a science fiction story about a time when the earth be a true picture of the Lesbian underworld. There is a seduc­ is a dead planet. A group of explorer-scientists come from tion scene in it which is laughable and entirely the product of another world and stir about in the ruins looking for some­ the movie version, no such scene exists in the play. Beryl Reid thing to help them recreate the inhabitants and understand is a competent actress who, unfortunately, hasn t the slightest their demise. They find a cannister of film, and happily take it idea how to behave in her role. Susannah York is very good back to their home planet. Their scientists watch it for hours; as Alice__the role involves looking sgiriual and stupid through­ but find it difficult to relate the frenetic happenings on the out. Coral Browne is suitably predatory. film with the traces of the civilization they have seen. Only at THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE is an inevitable the end of the film, and the end of the story, is the reader told step in the progression of movies that appear to deal with of the film’s origin, the cartoon studios of Walt Disney. Lesbians, seen entirely through the eyes of heterosexual males. THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE, movie version, It will be years before we have a movie that honestly pre­ has almost as much relationship to the life of the ordinary sents homosexual women— except for an occasional bit part Lesbian, as Donald Duck has to the ordinary man. such as the Lesbian in RACHEL RACHEL. There are some This 1965 London hit play, written by Frank Marcus, began gay bar scenes that might be interesting to some people. as a comic and sympathetic look at an aging radio actress. Sister George, losing both her personal life and her profes­ (Reviewed by Gene Damon. Reprinted from the February sional life. Finding her career doomed by increasing lack of issue of the Los Angeles ADVOCATE, by permission of the popularity for her simple series, she takes her frustration out editors.) SIDE EFFECTS DAUGHTERS of BILITIS A reader like Maura McCullough’s poem, "Memoirs of a Solitary incorporated Psychosomatic” (THE LADDER, MaylJune, 1968 so much that she has written a melody for it. The melody, by Jean, and Maura’s MEMBERSHIP in the Daughters of Bilitis is limited to women 21 years words appear below. Westminster Audio Service, 1645 Hopkins of age or older. If in New York area, direct inquiry to chapter. Other­ Street, Berkeley, California, 94707, is reserving the right to record wise write to National Office in San Francisco for a membership appli­ the song, and any girl in the Bay Area should contact them if she cation form. THE LADDER is a bi-monthly magazine published by Daughters of would like to try singing it. Bilitis, Inc., mailed in a plain sealed envelope for $7.50 a year. Anyone over 2Imay subscribe to THE LADDER. CONTRIBUTIONS are gratefully accepted from anyone who wants to support our work. We are a non-profit corporation depending entirely on volunteer labor. While men may not become members of Daughters of Bilitis, many have expressed interest in our efforts and have made contributions to further our work. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS and San Francisco Chapter: l(X)5 Market Street, Room 208 San Franci.sco, California 94103 Memoirs of a Solitary Psychosomatic New# York Chapter (Maura J

They might diagnose It as rabies; An uleer Is possible, too. ing general advertising. iz A thousand adult readers regularly receive The LADDER, a magazine circulated throughout this country featuring news and views of the homo­ sexual and the homophile movement of particular intere.st to women. 2. Or could I have encephalitis? I'm sure that I'm nearing the end. Most of our readers are women 21-45 years old who have devoted a major portion of their leisure time to assisting the lesbian to become a more 7 J t 7 J J J J .7^ productive, secure citizen. Most of our readers believe that discrimination Don't tell me I'm just feeling lonely; I couldn't admit that my friend. against the homosexual is unfair and unjustified. To these readers your advertisement places you on record as an ally in their personal area of deep concern. Our readers are apt to become and remain loyal customers. melody by jean Charges for single insertions of advertisement copy are given below.

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