THE LADDER

i i l i T O i E

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

OCTOBER 1961 • 50< Ootober y^pvrpose of the t h e La d d êX Volume 6, Number 1

Publlihad monthly by tha Doughtara of BIIIIU, Inc., a non- pioflt corporation, 1232 Morkat Straaf, Suita 108, Son Fron- b i l i t i s claco 2, Californio. Talaphone; UNdarhill 3 _ 8196.

NATIONAL OFFICERS, DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. A IfOAieN'V ORGASIZATION FOR THE PURPOSE OP PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF THE HOMOSEXUAL INTO SOCIETY BY : _ President — Jaye Bell -...... Vice President — Helen Sanders Recording Secretary — Dottie Dee Corresponding Secretary — Chris Hayden ...... Public Relations Director — Jo Carson Treasurer — Ev Howe THE UDDER STAFF

Editor — Del Martin O Education of the variant, with particular emphasis on the psych­ Assistant Editor — Elaine Kingston ological, physiological and sociological aspects, to enable her Los Angeles Reporter — Sten Russell to understand herself and make her adjustment to society in all Production Manager — Patty Patterson its social, civic and economic implications— this to be accomp­ Circulation Manager — Cleo Glenn lished by establishing and maintaining as complete a library as possible of both fiction and non-fiction literature on the sex de­ THE LADDER is regarded as a sounding board for various points of view on the homophile and related subjects and viant theme; by sponsoring public discussions on pertinent sub­ does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the organization. jects to be conducted by leading members of the legal, psychiat­ ric, religious and other professions; by advocating a mode of be­ havior and dress acceptable to society.

0 Education of the public at large through acceptance first of the individual, leading to an eventual breakdown of erroneous taboos and prejudices; through public discussion meetings aforemen­ DOB'S Anniversary Message from the President, ...... 4 tioned; through dissemination of educational literature on the For Want of a Chance...... 10 homosexual theme. Bergler on the A ir...... «14 TV Critics Praise 'Rejected'...... 17 © Participation in research projects by duly authorized and respon­ DOB Convention H ighlights...... 20 sible psychologists, sociologists and other such experts directed E d ito rial - Don S l a t e r ...... 21 towards further knowledge of the homosexual. Here and T h e re...... ,.2 2 Lesb lan a.,...... ••.•••••••23 Investigation of the penal code as it pertains to the homosexual, Readers Re spend,...... ••«•••«•••24 proposal of changes to provide an equitable handling of cases involving this minority group, and promotion of these changes Cover by Mell through due process of law in the state legislatures. Granted, all the organizations together are never going to be able to gather up all the ones who seem compelled to flaunt their homosexuality at society and, shall we say, DOB ANNIVERSARY "show them the b etter l i f e , " but slowly emd surely we can MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT help slow down the breeding of th is defiance. How? There are several ways now and more w ill become evident in the fu­ tu re . One, of course, is through a ll our publication s, The Daughters of B illtls has oompletad six years of »hat trying to show thè importance of all homosexuals' using we fe e l to be progressive work In the homophile movement, discretion - not conformity, but discretion. having started in 1955 with eight women; publishing our first issue of our monthly magazine, THE LADDER, in Octo­ But of a l l the methods of reaching the individual homosex­ ber, 1956; incorporating in the state of California in ual, we feel none to be more successful than that of per­ 1957; ^rid in 1960 growing from an organization centered sonal association. We are in a small but increasing pro­ in San Francisco to a nation-wide organization with chap­ portion reaching more and more individuals in this way ters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey, through our chapters throughout the country. We believe with a possibility of two more chapters coming up soon. that one of the first axioms for social acceptance is self­ acceptance. Where better to start finding self-acceptance The purposes of the Daughters of B ilitis are, in short, than in a group of people who are themselves in varying education of the variant, with particular emphasis on the stages of finding their own self-acceptemoe through group psychological, physiological and social aspects, to enable acceptance. This applies particularly to the younger peo­ her to understand herself and make an adjustment to society ple coming up. These are the people we must be aware of in a l l i t s s o c ia l, c iv ic and economic im plication s; educa­ if we wish to stop the breeding of defiance toward society. tion of the public; participation in research; and investi­ Where do they go first to make contacts with other homosex­ gation of the penal code. uals? The bars, of course. Bars have their place, yes, We feel that much of our progress in the movement has ne­ but only the people with real strength can fight their way cessarily filled the gap which ONE and Mattachine do not out of the example they see there that reeks of defiance, disillusionment, and despair. The defiance, disilluslonmontj particularly cover In their work, namely that of; 1, pay­ ing particular attention to the individual homosexual; 2, and d esp air, we a l l know, lie there under the mask of "ga­ In stig a tin g our own research on the homosexual; and 3i iety" which the nucleus of habituais at the bars put on. offering the most complete répertoriai coverage of the Some have been so long on the underside of the coin that they are afraid of the side toward the sun. But for those homophile movement I t s e l f . who want i t , l e t ' s tr y showing i t to them. And while there Although Mattachine and ONE have both accomplished much in are many we won't be able to reach, we can at least stop the broad field of acceptance for the homosexual, we feel some of this antagonism toward society - which profits no the possibilities here are definitely limited if the indi­ one. By the sunny side of the coin I am simply referring vidual homosexual is lost in the shuffle. For while we to the place in society each person C6tn fin d and enjoy, re­ are busy trying to teach the public that the homosexuals gardless of sexual preference, when he learns that home they see causing a problem are only a small part of the l i f e and public l i f e mix lik e o il and water - and w ill do whole homosexual population, this minority is still the BO for a long time to come. representation the public sees. This is in many ways like trying to teach a child to eat liver by telling him how Perhaps some may feel we are advocating conformity, We are, tasty it can be, while all the liver you set in front of when i t comes to common courtesy to those who are yet so him to eat is burnt, pan-fried offerings. He Just isn’t uneducated that homosexuals strike as much fear in them as going to be very well convinced. do child molesters, dope addicts, the mentally ill, etc. This is outward conformity, the same outward conformity de­ the first research project done on this scale on Lesbians manded of numerous groups of people who are in p osition s on a non-cllnical basis. foreign to the public at large. For instance, the ex-con­ vict, the alcoholic or the conscientious objector. All The re s u lts of th is study were published in our September, these people, and many more, must refrain from talking to 1959 is s u e . There are of course certain weaknesses, such the majority of society of parts of their lives lest they as the absence of a control group. Also this was naturally put themselves under the heel of many social pressures. a self-selected group answering the questionnaire. This To do other than conform outwardly would hurt them person­ project was not done with the presumption of its being ally and be of no avail until the public is better informed. equal to any similar studies done by persons with profes­ sional tra in in g but rather i t was hoped by our in itia t in g Conformity in one’s personal life is euiother matter. As such a study that: 1, we could gather general data on Les­ stated above, one of the principal things we are working bians not likely to come to the attention of the public or for is individual self-acceptance. It is also true that professional researchers; 2, to gain an idea of the extent anyone who has r e a lly found h is own self-acceptance does of response from such questionnaires by our subscribers; not need to seek approval or defiantly display himself to 3, to gain experience in framing and handling such ques­ society, be he homosexual or heterosexual. tio n n aire s; and 4, to stimulate interest by publication of results so as to encourage further research, Because of our view that d iscretio n can sometimes be the b etter part of v a lo r, we are often considered weak in our We further extended our research by publishing the results action. When this feeling of our being weak is conceived, of a comparison study between the male and female homosex­ however, i t can only be done without a thorough knowledge ual in the September I960 LADDER. of our working, for we have always taken a strong position on any Infringement of rights or harrassment of homosexuals simply because they were homosexuals. To be specific, if Our purposes fo r doing these studies have certain ly been a homosexual defies the law, then we consider his problem fulfilled, for, after the reading of a synopsis of our with law enforcement is not dlsoriminatlon because of his work during our f i r s t convention in I960, we have received homosexuality. However, if he is harrassed by the law innumerable requests for copies of both studies. The most because of his homosexuality and not because of provoca­ noteworthy here, because of their interest in further re­ tion on his part, then we take a strong stand and will do search on Lesbians, are: Dr, Gershwin of New York, heading whatever i s in our power to see ju stic e done. For example, a research committee of the Society of Medical Psychoanalysts; we have definitely taken a stand in the case of "gay" bars Dr. Alexander Rosen of the State of California Dept, of Men­ [being judged ill e g a l and immoral simply because homosexuals tal Health; and Dr. Robert Stroller of the University of Cali­ frequent them. In this matter we have repeatedly stated fornia Medical Center in Los Angeles, We will soon be giving our disagreement with the above judgment and sent l it e r a ­ our assistance to Dr. Stroller in his research project on the ture and invited discussion with the law enforcement agen­ investigation of the psychological, psychiatric, and socio­ cies. For taking a stand against an action is not enough. logical aspects of the lives of people with other than usual Education must be involved if a solution is to be achieved. problems in sexual adjustment. Another is Dr. Ralph H, Gund- lach, psychologist from New York, who has just completed a project with a committee of the Society of Medical Psycho­ While busy trying to help the homosexuals who are having an alysts on the male homosexual and heterosexual in therapy. problems f i t t i n g into so c ie ty , we have been equally busy Dr, Gundlach has met with us in San Francisco and stated that in the research field. In the June, 1958 issue of THE our comparison study on the male homosexual on a n on-olinical LADDER we mailed out a -page questionnaire to our sub­ 4 basis was of help to them in their study and that the two scribers which covered general information, family and studies added strength and validity to each other. Dr. Gund- personal history of Lesbians. To our knowledge this is laoh has asked for our co-operation on a study on the Lesbians not under therapy. We are now working with him on the ques­ As long as there remains the now-existent mutual respect tionnaire to be used. and fr ie n d ly , competitive co-operation, I can not conceive of a situ atio n more b en eficial to the entire homophile move­ We have done a fu rth e r breakdown on our study of the Lesbian ment. since its original publication and Mrs. Bernioe Engle of the Langley-Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute of San Francisco We feel that the time has come for still another step in has requested permission to publish the more pertinent parts our growth - especially since we are now the only nation­ in a medical Journal. wide organization — that of working our programs to in ­ clude the male homosexual. This does not mean membership, Dr, Prank Beach and Dr. John McKee of the University of Cali­ but it does mean offering them some of the same situations fornia at Berkeley have offered their assistance in any / fo r group enjoyment and acceptance. Vie are re-opening our further studies we might do. public discussion groups, planning Gab 'n' Javas period­ ically to include the male homosexual, and are now increas­ On her Sept, 12 radio program Mrs, Lee Steiner, a New York ing the social functions which they may attend. psychologist, along with Mrs. Elsie Carlton and our research director, discussed a wide range of topics related to Les­ As you have probably noticed, although our magazine has bianism, with the program ending with a very gracious re­ always worked to be one of in te re st to both men and women, cognition of our research survey. It has been most grati­ we are now running a special "Masculine Viewpoint" section fying to us that, although we are a group of laymenidoing in which we more than ever welcome opinions from our male this study, so many distinguished professional people have readers. This, along with our continued coverage of the spoken so highly of the project. Seeing the interest of other organizations' work and convention, will make for the professional field in new thoughts and data in the added information to a l l our homophile readers, as well as homophile field is, however, even more gratifying. the professional readers.

We have been asked to discuss the benefit or disadvantage Along the lin e of educating the homophile, we have also of having chapters, ^!e have found that while a certain taken this literally and, as you know, started the Blanche amount of time has to be spent in giving each new group U. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, This fund i s increasing the benefit of past experience, this time spent is great­ constantly through donations from individuals, as well as ly outweighed’ by: 1. the benefit of fresh new ideas; from our chapters. We hope a growing number of people will 2, the greater number of people carrying out the aims and see the b en efit we fe e l to be in th is program and w ill con­ purposes; 3. the benefit of our chapters' continuing to tribute to its growth. contact newsstands across the country so that we can reach an even larger number of readers; 4, the greater number of As a whole, we feel that the Daughters of B ilitis has stepped personal contacts that can be made; 5. ihe benefit of hav­ o ff onto another plateau and is rap id ly moving ahead in i t s ing more people available for assistance to professional aims and goals in a manner which a l l who have had a part in persons and groups working in our f ie l d ; and 6. above a l l , it can be proud of. the opportunity to come into personal contact with more homosexuals, as we have mentioned above. We do not feel Jaye Bell, President we could be making the organizational strid es we are with­ out the ever-oommon goal consciousness and work of the chapters. BLANCHE M. BAKER Each of the organizations seems to be working in a manner which covers a little different ground in the common goal MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND of trying to benefit the homosexual and the rest of society. ^ r o CWfTPIErilJrlCNS c/o DOB, 1232 liARKET ,jT., S . F. 2, CALIF. and in operating their own project, can help the public to understand. As in dividuals have been helped by th is 7iJ€U U 0^ A ^A^eiHC€ • group activity, they in turn become responsible for the next parolees that they might have the same opportunity,

The problem of the sex offender, the veteran with lesi Jan Marinissen. Rehabilitation Secretary, American Friends than honorable discharge, and others Just released from Service Committee, San Francisco, told of work he had been correctional institutions was tackled at the eighth an- doing at San Quentin prison in tryin g to get employment naul conference of the tlattaohlne Society, Inc., at the for the prisoner before his release. The stumbling block Hotel V7hitcomb in San Francisco over Labor Day week end. is to obtain permission for the prisoner’ s temporary re­ lease in the custody of some responsible person for in­ More s p e c ific a lly , employment and re h a b ilita tio n of these terview purposes. Attempts in bringing the employer to people was discussed by a panel of persons dealing d ire c t­ the prison have proved detrimental psychologically, ly in the field. Charles Iv.®lis, Selective Placement Interview Division, In opening the subject, Don Lucas, social service direc­ C a lifo rn ia State Department of Employment, San Francisco, tor of the Mattachine Society, who presided, pointed up noted that i f good judgs^eiit was practiced in placing in ­ the idea of these people as individuals of value to so­ d ividu als in the righ t Job, th is would make i t possible ciety, not as criminals per se. He asked what could be for others to be helped. done to educate the public and how they could be helped in Job placement. WHO CAN GET OTHERS INTERESTED?

"We have not operated on a two-way basis," admitted Jo­ "We need the kind of people who can get others Interested seph R. Rowan, Western D irector, C itizen s Action Program, in the problem, "Mr. Rowan pointed out, "and this must National Council on Crime and Delinquency, San Fran cisco, extend beyond the do-gooder class." He suggested top le­ "We have not been letting the public know of the problem. vel citizens and industrial leaders. The successfully Most of our activity has been behind closed doors," adjusted offender, too, could be used as an example,

Mr. Rowan cited two main problems: 1, public apathy; 2, Mr. G ilbert told of an occasion when a public committee people in the rehabilitation programs have not Informed was brought to a prison in Texas to observe first-hand the public, as they should. the prison habitat. They arrived in the evening and so were housed over night in the cells. Although this was "We need infusion of new ideas and new blood," he said, probably a gimmick, i t was an e ffe c tiv e way to bring home for the big Job of changing the public imago of the of­ the p oin t. fender. This could be done through radio and TV and public conferences, but it must Involve top level citi­ WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPEN TO OFFENDERS? zens on a committee level.

Mr. Ivens seemed to think that einything in the service THE IDEA OP HALF-WAY HOUSE type industries (waiters, etc.) would be more open to a sex offender parolee than any other type of employment. Mrs. Lillian E. Stodiok, secretary. Allied Fellowship Service, Hayward, California, told about the "Half-Way The panel agreed generally that the sex offender would House" idea, a rehabilitation project which gives pa­ have a b etter ohanoe fo r employment than a th ie f, fo r rolees friendship, counselling and temporary housing. instan ce, since the th ie f would pose a greater threat to The offenders are a part of their own rehabilitation, the employer. Mr. Oilbert pointed out that If the parolee had offen­ sive mannerisms, he would have to make a ohoioe - which was more important to him - the job or his Idiosyncraoies» to neurotlolsm in the majority of cases. Too many become even more lost, and in time, become psychotic. The suc­ When asked if it was wise to refer to a record or a less cess of Thane's advanced theories and therapy, as applied than honorable discharge when seeking employment, Mr. to fringe cases, is pointed up in the fact that he has 47 Gilbert advised, "Try to be vague without being untruth­ namesakes, who are the offspring of successful marriages ful." Por example, in trying to place an individual, he following therapy. Although society might applaud this might say that this person has had an emotional problem, as the only success to be found, there are also the cases but has been re h a b ilita te d to a great extent. of happy, well-adjusted individuals who have not married, but are leading creative, fulfilling lives. He said he always found th is to be a dilemma in these dealings, since the stigma attached to the sex offender TOO PEW UNDERSTAND NATURE OP SELF per se could keep the person from getting the Job. The key to successful self-acceptance sounds rather simple, A NEW BOOK ON - *SEX» until you realize how few people understand the nature of their own being. The arobi-sexual nature of all mankind, Thane Walker, psychoanalyst and Dean of The Prósperos Aca­ whether they know it or not, is present at birth and con­ demy in Honolulu, announced at the banquet h is present pro­ tinues thereafter as the doublefold creative energy of ject, writing of a new book dealing with the subject of sex. life. Once this is understood, the veneer of heterosexu­ He said that he had been looking forward to doing th is fo r ality or homosexuality will become less qualifying as a a number of years because he felt that most books on the social standard and only individually important as either subject of sex, and e sp e c ia lly those dealing with homosex­ state means satisfaction and fulfillment. uality, were, for the most part, misleading and contradic­ tory in themselves. "With the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima," Thane explained, "we shut the door on the past," And just as a Here Thane has been a practicing analyst for many years and new mathematics had to be evolved and accepted and old fa ll­ has counselled thousands who in one way or another are acies had to be given up in order to understand matter and troubled with sex problems. So far, this year, his files its substance, so man must come to the new equation of contain the case h is to rie s of 22$ young men, most of whom himself. Every being on the face of the earth is born male and female, whether he accepts this truth or not. To are in the armed se rv ic e s, stationed in Honolulu. Only 25 Illustrate this, a comparison to electricity was used. The of these young people were aware of th e ir homosexual ten ­ dencies, if such were the case. Often times, only under the bi-faceted nature of electric Itj is contacted through male influence of alcohol had they been able to admit such de­ plugs and female sockets, but they are only functional ap­ paratus and not the essence and being of electricity. sires to themselves. The problem in therapy. Thane admit­ ted, was to discover whether the case was the one of true Pure science has reached an understanding of the nature of homosexuality or a pseudo state. It remains important to the patient that he become acquainted with his inner drives man which is far in advance of religious and cultural dog­ and recognize them, even though they be on the fringe area ma. With our world on the brink of self-destruction, of hom osexuality. there is Just as much evidence of a bright new hope for the future. Our responsibility is only to overhaul Our own social and religious concepts with the same kind of straight The analyst's greatest problem Is combating the century- old idea of religious beliefs and, of course, social stig­ thinking which has brought to science the knowledge of the energy of the cosmos and of man as a native of e te rn ity . ma. It is important to note that unless we are ble to understand and follow a natural Impulse, the drive turns (Continued on page I9) "V1MAT AN EXTRAORDINARY THING (TO BE A P E R SIA N ). HOW ^ ANYONE Bergler on the Bir BE PERSIAN?"

DR. B e r g l e r h i m s e l f , a s m ost r e a d e r s p r o b a b l y know, specializes VlHEN A PANEL OF THREE PSYCH IATRISTS BROADCASTS OVER THE A IR Í IN A PARTICUUAR EXPLANATION FOR HOMOSEXUALITY WHICH STRESSES THE IWVES A FLEA TO CONSIDER HOIvlOSEXUALS AS NEITHER CRIMINAL NOR masochistic ASPECT, IN THIS BROADCAST HE PUT IT AS FOLLOWS: IMMORAL, THEN MOST "ENLIGHTENED" LISTEN ERS WILL FEEL THAT "A HOMOSEXUAL IS A MAN WHO ACQUIRED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD THE UN­ THE CASE OF ENLIGHTENMENT IS BEING SERVED. WHEN THESE THREE CONSCIOUS WISH, OR TENDENCY, TO BE MISTREATED BY A V«MAN." HE PSYCH IATRISTS PLEAD TO HOMOSEXUALS THAT THEY ARE NOT CRIM I­ I S , THEREFORE, A FU GITIVE FROM V«MEN, WHO UNCONSCIOUSLY SEEKS NAL BUT ONLY IL L - AND CURABLE - THEN THEIR MESSAGE WILL FROM kEN THE SAME MISTREATMENT HE FORI^RLV SOUGHT FROM WOMEN. SEEM HELPFUL AND OPTIMISTIC, OR HYPOTHETICAL AND AMBIGU­ Ho m o se x u a ls, s a y s B e r g l e r , unconsciously viiant to b e a r r e s t e d . OUS, DEPENDING UPON THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE "ENLIGHTENED" Ho m o se x u a ls who m a r r y (m is c a l l e d b i s e x u a l s , in h i s o p i n i o n ),

LISTENER. Th i s p a r t ic u l a r p a n e l CONSIDERED THAT THEIR unconsciously c o n st r u c t a s it u a t i o n w here THE WIFE FINDS OUT. MESSAGE VAS AN OPTIMISTIC ONE. THE PANEL '.«S COMPOSED OF Ho m o se x u a ls who, a t t h e unconscious l e v e l , t r u l y do not » nt to

DR. Edmund B e r g l e r o f New Yo r k b a l a n c e d b y o r . Cl i f f o r d BE "CLRED" a r e DEEPLY MASOCHISTIC. SCOTT OF THE CANADIAN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE AND DR. IRWIN

s t e n g l e o f S h e f f i e l d , En g la n d . Th i s b r o a d c a s t , w h ich w as WHAT SHOULD BE SAID ABOUT ALL THIS, BESIDES ASKING FOR THE EVI­ HEARD RECENTLY OVER RADIO STATION KPFA-FM IN BERKELEY, DENCE? It IS not n e c e s s a r y to go so f a r a s to DISPUTE THE EX­

Ca l i f o r n i a , w as r e c o r d e d a t t h e i/i/o rld Ps y c h i a t r i c Co n g r e s s ISTENCE OF PSYCHIC MASOCHISM, OR EVEN THE P O SS IB IL IT Y THAT IT IN MONTREAL, CANADA, MAY EXPLAIN SOME HOMOSEXUALITY. (NO LE SS AN AUTHORITY THAN Ha r r y S t a c k S u l l i v a n , tho ugh, had l i t t l e u s e fo r t h e c o n c ep t

Th e PARTICIPANTS WERE PRETTY MUCH IN AGREEMENT, NOT ONLY IN AT ALL.) BUT A VENERABLE ENGLISH THINKER NAMED WILLIAM OF OCCAM THEIR VIEV/ THAT HOMOSEXUALITY CAN BE TREATED SUCCESSFULLY, BACK IN THE I4 TH CENTURY SAID "ENTITIES ARE NOT TO BE MULTIPLIED BUT IN THEIR IM PLICIT ASSUMPTION THAT SUCH TREATMENT, AND BEYOND NECESSITY," WHICH FREELY TRANSLATED INTO SIMPLER ENGLISH "MODIFICATION", IF NOT CURE, IS WITHOUT QUESTION DESIRABLE. READS: WHY INVENT A COMPLICATED EXPLANATION IF A SIMPLER ONE

Th u s Or . S c o t t p o in t e d out t h a t imany HOt.iosExuALS do no t want WILL DO? Lo t s o f p e o p l e l i k e to do l o t s o f t h in g s t h a t a r e d i f ­ TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT "A MUCH BETTER LIFE f e r e n t FROM t h e norm, t h a t may not b e POPULARLY APPROVED O F ,, IS POSSIBLE." VlHEN HOMOSEXUALS DISCOVER, TO THEIR SURPRISE, THAT MIGHT EARN THEN CENSURE, OR GET TTHEM IN TROUBLE. RELIGIOUS THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEN, DR. SCOTT SUGGESTED, THE REWARDS DISSENTERS, POLITICAL MAVERICKS, AND SPACE EXPLORERS MIGHT LIKE OF A HAPPIER L IF E WILL BE T H E IR S. LIVING DANGEROUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ¡MASOCHISTIC, BUT THEY JUST MIGHT CONCEIVABLY LIKE THEIR PREFERRED FORM OF ACTIVITY _IN SPITE

Ap a r t from a n y q u e s t io n o f f a c t a s t o c u r a b i l i t y , it i s c u r io u s OF, NOX-jeCAUSE OF, ITS POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL DISADVANTAGES. NOT THAT THE PUBLIC RARELY HEARS, IN PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS ON A PERFECT ANALOGY, PERHAPS. YET BERG LER'S ATTEMPT TO T IE UP I TH IS SU B JE C T , ANY QUESTION RAISED AS TO THE UNSPOKEN PREMISE HOMOSEXUALITY WITH WHAT HE CALLS "IN JU ST IC E COLLECTING" APPEARED REFERRED TO ABOVE. VlHAT IS NORIMAL MUST BE BEST FOR EACH AND TO BE BASED ON MERE ASSERTION. IT WAS PARTICULARLY UNCONVINCING ALL, IT IS PRESU 1EO, AND MUST LEAD TO GREATEST HAPPINESS FOR SINCE BEP(GLER HIMSELF CONFESSED THAT "IN JU ST IC E COLLECTING" MAY EACH AND A L L . HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT NORMAL; THEREFORE, IT CAN­ OR MAY NOT INVOLVE HOMOSEXUALITY. HE DIO NOT STATE WHAT KINDS NOT EVER BE BEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND CANNOT LEAD TO ANYONE’ S OF "IN JU ST IC E COLLECTING" DO AND WHAT KINDS DO NOT LEAD TO HOMO­ HAPPINESS. Mig h t i t not b e s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h in k in g p e r s o n s o f Í SEXUALITY; YET HE CONSIDERED IT A FAR MORE IMPORTANT SIGN-POST BROAD SYMPATHIES AND ACTIVE IMAGINATIONS ARE SOMEIIHAT MORE HUM­ OF MALE HOMOSEXUALITY THAN FEM ININITY IN MEN. BLE IN THEIR JUDGMENT AS TO THE ROADS TO HAPPINESS? ONE IS LED TO THINK OF IMONTESQUiEU'S SA TIR E ON THE I8TH CENTURY P A R ISIA N S: On e m em ber o f t h e p a n e l - Or . s t e n g l e - p o in t e d o ut t h a t d r . B ER G L ER 'S THEORY DIO NOT EXPLAIN EVERYTHING; HE EVEN SU 3GESTED THAT BERGLER’ S PATIENTS (WHOM BERGLER CLAIMS GREAT SUCCESS IN TV Critics Praise ‘Rejected’ CURING) ivlAY NOT BE A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF HOMOSEXUALS. IT WAS CURIOUS TO NOTE THAT D R. BERGLER PERSISTED IN REFERRING TO "THE TYPICAL HOMOSEXUAL" AS THE ONE VIHOM "WE S E E " IN OUR PSY­ San Franoisoo radio and TV oolunnlsts waxed enthusiastic

CHIATRIC p r a c t i c e . about the hour-long presentation of "The Rejected", TV’ s first symposium on homosexuality produced for nationwide

Th e r e '.iAS som e d i s c u s s i o n c f t h e Kallm an Tw in S t u d i e s , in t r o ­ showing by KftED, S .P .’ s educational statio n .

d u ced BY Dr . S t e n g l e . As r e a d e r s ¿(a y know, Ka llm a n fo und t h a t Said Terrence O'Plaherty of the "San Francisco Chroyiicle", FOR 905^ OF id e n t ic a l (ONE-EGG) TWINS REARED TOGETHER, AND FOR "KftED was courageous to tackle what Is perhaps'-the most 1% OF THOSE REARED APART, BOTH TWINS 'jvERE FOUND TO BE HOMO­ taboo subject of a ll - homosexuality, the permanent under­ SEXUAL. Th e PERCENTAGES WERE DISTINCTLY LOWER FOR NON-1DENTI CAL ground. A letter from Stanley Mosk, the Attorney General (t t o - e g g ) TWINS. Th i s i s u s u a l l y c it e d a s e v id e n c e f o r a h e r e ­ of C a lifo rn ia , opened the show and set the tone fo r the d i t a r y B A SIS FOR HOIWOSEXUALITY. DR. SCOTT POINTED OUT, RIGH TLY, discussion: THAT THESE RESULTS DO NOT RULE OUT THE P O SS IB IL IT Y OF AN ENVI­ RONMENTAL FACTOR. Id e n t i c a l t w in s m a y, b e c a u s e o f t h e i r v e r y "It cannot be dismissed by simply ignoring Its IDENTITY, HAVE A MORE CLOSELY SIM ILAR ENVIRONMENT THAN NON-IDEN­ presence. We might Just as well refuse to dis­ TICAL TW INS. EVEN IF HEREDITY DOES PLAY A PART, DR. STEN3LE cuss alcoholism or narcotics addiction, as to re­ iWUNTAINED, HOMOSEXUALITY CAN ST IL L BE TREATED AND MODIFIED. fuse to discuss th is su b ject. It cannot be swept under the rug. I t w ill not go away by i t s e l f . There is need to oast lig h t into an area in which Pe r h a p s i t c a n . Th e r e s e e m s t o t h i s w r it e r to b e no n e e d fo r the shadows have long been deep." HOMOSEXUALS TO R E SIST TH IS P O S S IB IL IT Y , AS MANY SEEM TO DO.

(Th e y t o l l d b e r i g h t , th o u g h , in a s k in g f o r more c o n v in c in g Dwight Newton of the "San Pranoisoo Examiner" noted that EVIDENCE THAN IS OFTEN PRESENTED, AND THEY WOULD BE JUSTIFIED the program "was handled soberly, calmly and in great depth IN IN SISTIN G THAT THE NEED AND D ESIR A B ILIT Y OF CHANGE NOT BE from the points of view of Dr. Margaret Meade, anthropolo­ TAKEN FOR GRANTED.) NOR DOES THERE SEEM ANY REASON FOR HOMO­ gist; Dr, Karl Bowman, psychiatrist; Morris Lowenthal, and SEXUALS TO FIGHT THE POSSIBILITY, OR PROBABILITY, THAT THERE ARE Albert Bendioh, attorneys; Thomas Lynch, San Francisco IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL A SPEC TS. l/iHAT WE district attorney; Dr. Erwin Braff, U.S. Public Health REALLY NEED TO SAY, AND KEEP ON SAYING, IN THIS WRITER'S OPINION, Service; Rabbi Alvin Pine, The Ht. Rev. James A. Pike, ARE THE FOLLOWING THINGS: Episcopal Bishop of California; and members of the Mat- taohine Society, "Most agreed that adult homosexuality

I . An y GENERALIZATION MADE ABOUT THE UNCONSCIOUS WISHES OF ANY should not be a crime." GROUP IS SUSPECT UNLESS IT IS PLAIN THAT IT IS BASED ON ANALY­ Mr, Newton offered "congratulations to KOED and to the S I S OF A REPRESENTATIVE SA liPLE; FURTHERMORE, IT SHOULD BE ACCOM­ program’s writer, John W, Reavls, Jr., for adding another PANIED BY A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT THEORIES ABOUT UNCONSCIOUS cubit to TV’ s maturity." WISHES ARE NOT EASILY CAPABLE OF PROOF. Some of the documented comments must have suprised most Z. A DEPARTURE FROM "NORMAL" SEXUALITY NEED NOT BE UNDESIRABLE viewers: "Thirty-seven per cent of all American males PER SE, AMO NEED NOT BE THOUGHT OF AS AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRING have had at least one homosexual experience after adole- "CORRECTION", WITHOUT CLOSE CONSIDERATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES so en ce.".,."L aw s aimed at con tro llin g homosexual conduct OF THE INDIVIDUAL CASE. are frequently self-contradictory, totally irrational and - FLORENCE CONRAD FOR WANT OP A CHANCE . . . have proved to be unenforoeable.”«.."It isn't found only in big cities, but everywhere, in every small community," (Continued from page I3) .,." 75^ of the males In California with early infectious s y p h ilis have acquired i t from other males,"The only S .F , STEP-DP in FELONY CONVICTIONS REVEALED p laces in Europe where ordinary homosexuality is a crime is Communist R ussia, West Germany and Great B r i t a i n , " . . , In the Sunday session devoted to projects being conducted "Plenty of male homosexuals are broad shouldered, strong in the homophile movement, the Mattaoblne Society reported and the epitome of masculinity." on the trend of the San Francisco police department in conjunction with the courts to step up arrests and con­ Rabbi Pine: "It is my interpretation of Judaism that ho- victions where homosexuality is Involved. sexual practice is still held to be immoral, but moral problem that it is, we should regard and treat it as a Most of the cases prior to I360 were misdemeanors, though psychological illness rather than a crime," now there is an obvious push for felony convictions. Dur­ ing the f i r s t fiv e months of I960 there were no convictions Bishop Pike: "A homosexual i s lik e anyone else with an whatsoever. From June i960 to December I960 there were illness and should be cared for as such, with love and 29 convictions and $3^^^ collected in fines. During this concern and interest} not casting them aside, not labell period only one person was found not guilty. Prom January ling them as evil..." 1961 to June 1961 there were 77 oa-ses and $ 19,675 In fines. Again only one person waS found not guilty. Sentences meted Harold Call, president of the Mattachine Society: "By Md out were s ix months suspended and one to three years proba­ large, i f these laws were changed, we might fin d that tion with $100 to $350 fine depending upon which of the the homosexual is no d iffe re n t from anyone else except three Judges heard the case. An actual Jail sentence was perhaps in his choice of an object of his love." not given unless a minor was Involved.

The program ended v:ith the n arrator saying, "Perhaps, with All of these figures represent felony charges where so­ more facts and more arguments, will come the beginnings of domy was involved. Most of the a rre sts were made from understanding." the public rest rooms in department stores or bowling alleys where the police maintained "legal peeping toms" Transcripts of the program ($1 per copy) are available at behind two-way mirrors. KJED, 525-4th St., San Francisco, California, It is estimated that some 40 to 60 arrests are made per ***** week on misdemeanor charges, there being more of these stemming from the "gay b a rs". 65 Freed in 'Gay Bar' Case Obviously homosexuality has become "big business " t o the Charges were dismissed against all but six of 71 persons o ity of San Franolsoo. who were scheduled for a "mass" trial before a jury as de« f ndants in the Tay-Bush Restaurant "gay" raid reported ONE, IN C ., PLANS NEW BOOK in the September LADDER, The 65 dismissed, including 9 women, received a stern warning from San Francisco Muni­ B ill Lambert of One, In c ., annotmoed that a new book cipal Jiiuge Raymond J, O'Connor. Their discharge was would be published soon based on research studies on fa ­ granted on a motion by Deputy D is tric t Attorney A1 Wol­ mous people in history who were homosexuals. He said lenberg, Jr., after the owner of the bar. Bob Johnson, that more attention should be padd to history by all the had pleaded guilty to charges of running disorderly homophile groups. house and perm itting dancing in unlicensed prem ises. DOB CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS EDITORIAL THE DANGER OF HIRING HETEROSEXUAL IÆN AND WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT THE DATE HAS BEEN SET - JUNE 2 3 - 2 4 , I9 6 2 . Th E PLACE IS LOS AGENCIES WHERE VULNERABILITY TO INTIMIDATION AND BLACKMAIL MUST /ÁNGELES, Ca l i f o r n i a . Th e e v e n t - t h e sec o n d Na t io n a l Co n v e n tio n BE CONSIDERED IS VIVID LY CONFIRMED IN THE RECENT CASE OF FOREIGN OF THE Da u g h t e r s o f b i u t i s , In c . SERVICE OFFICER IRVING CHAMBERS SCARBECK. MR, SCARBECK m S ARRESTED BY JUSTICE DEPT. AGENTS JUNE 13, I96I, IN ^iliASHINGTON DWRFING ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THIS TIME ARE THE LOS ANGELES WHERE HE HAD RETURNED FROM H IS POST AS SECOND SECRETARY IN THE

CHAPTER'S PLANS FOR THE '6 2 CONVENTION. A REGULAR SCHEDLLE OF Un it e d St a t e s Em b a s s y in iyarsaw . V/ORK PARTIES IS UNDER IVAY WITH A VERITABLE BARRAGE OF LETTERS

MOVING OUT TO ARRANGE FOR SUITABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND A PROGRAM He had a d m it t e d t u r n in g o v e r c l a s s i f i e d information to a n a g e n t OF d y n a m ic SPEAKERS, PANELS AND ENTERTAINI1ÍENT FOR THE WEEK END. OF Po la nd s i n c e t h e b e g in n in g o f t h e y e a r . S a i d S en a t o r J . 'm .

F u l b r ig h t (D) of Ar k a n s a s , " I t ' s a v e r y sa d ano distressing

Ho p e s a r e h ig h f o r p r e s e n t in g s p e a k e r s from t h e f i e l d o f t h e law development . I u n d e rst a n d t h e root o f t h e t r o u b l e m s A WOIWAN.

WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PROMULGATION OF THE MODEL PENAL I WAS in fo rm ed a Po l i s h b lo n d e se d u c e d h im and th en blackmailed

Co de b y Th e Am e r ic a n L aw In s t i t u t e ; from t h e f i e l d o f e n t e r t a in ­ H IM ." w e l l , w e' r e not s u r p r i s e d . TH IS i s not t h e f i r s t TIME A

m ent WITH EMPHASIS ON THE PRODUCTION OF CONTROVERSIAL HOMOPHILE heterosexual h a s p r o v e n to b e a poor s e c u r i t y r i s k . Ca s e a f t e r

THEME MOVIES AND P LA Y S; THE FIELD OF RELIGION TO PRESENT THE VIEW­ c a s e i s bro u g h t to l i g h t ; y e t t h e Governw ent d o es n o th in g to p r e ­

POINTS OF THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS GROUPS - AND A SPEAKER OF MAJOR PRO­ v e n t t h i s m e n a c e . SCARBECK, A NATIVE OF BROOKLYN, HAS BEEN

PORTIONS TO BE FEATURED AT THE LUNCHEON. m a r r ie d t w ic e . H IS PRESENT WIFE AND THEIR THREE CHILDREN, IN­ CLUDING 2-YEAR-OLD TWINS, ARE NOIV WITH THE WIFE'S MOTHER IN GER­

Ba n q u et p l a n s a t th e i Ioment c a l l f o r entertainment r a t h e r th an MANY. lUlAT A PERFECT SE T -U P ! ED IFICATIO N . OF COURSE, TIME HAS BEEN ALLOTTED FOR THE SOCIAL

g a t h e r in g o f our m e m b e r s BOTH AT A RECEPTION FOR OUT-OF-TOVKM L in c o ln k\hiTE, St a t e d ep a r t m e n t p r e s s o f f i c e r , im p l ie d t h a t t h e GUESTS AND AT A GRAND GET-TOGETHER PARTY. INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO POUND WAS IMPORTANT. ASKED IF THE CASE WAS OF MAJOR SIG N IFIC A N C E, MiR. I'lHITE REPLIED : "ANY ESPIO­

HOPE THAT EVERY MEMBER OF DOB, EVERY SUBSCRIBER TO THE U D D ER , NAGE IS OF liiAJOR IMPORTANCE." EVERY FRIEND OF THE HOMOPHILE MOVEMENT WILL P U N TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION. ATTEND, AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE NOT YET AC­ " I DO NOT THINK THE CASE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE JU ST IC E DEPART­ QUAINTED WITH THE l'X)RK THAT DOB IS DOING. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MENT IF Un i t e d S t a t e s s e c u r i t y had not b e e n in v o l v e d , " Mr , v w it e f a r TO TRAVEL, PLAN YOUR VACATION IN SUNNY CALIFO RN IA. THE L.A. ADDED.

Ch a p t e r (a lo n g w ith t h e L o s An g e l e s Ch a m b e r o f Co..iMe r c e ) w il l b e GLAD TO OFFER ASSISTANCE IN HOUSING AND TOURIST INFORMATION. Th e more s e r i o u s p a r t o f t h e » t t e r i s t h a t b y now it sh o u ld b e WELL KNOWN THAT HETEROSEXUALS ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO BLACK-

An ENTHUSIASTIC AND HARO VWRKING CONVENTION COMMITTEE PROMISES A I'/IAIL. B u t v e r y l i t t l e p r o g r e s s SEEI/S to b e IíWOE IN ENLIGHTENING STAR-STUDDED PROGRAM VHIQH WILL HAVE MEANING AND SIG NIFICANCE TO THE PUBLIC OR THE GOVERNMENT TO THE SITUATION. THE PRESENCE OF THE HOMOFHILE MOVE.'.ENT AS A VHOLE. HETEROSEXUALS IN GOVERNMENT VWRK DOES OPEN THE DOOR TO INTIMIDA­ TION AND BLACKMAIL. FOR TH IS REASON THERE SHOULD BE REGUUTIONS

S o - SET THE DATE A SID E NOVA JUNE 2 3 - 2 4 , 1962. MORE INFORW- TO MINIMIZE THE HIRING OF HETEROSEXUALS FOR GOVERMÆNT AGENCIES TION WILL BE FORTHCOMING AS TO THE PROGRAM AS IT DEVELOPS. I'llATCH OR RETAINING THEM IN GOVERNMENT JO E S. FOR T H IS COLUi’iiN IN FUTURE ISSUES OF T i£ UJX)ER. FOR "nHE SAKE OF "mE NATIONAL GOOD VIE ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO BE HONEST ABOUT '.'ÍHAT MAKES A SECURITY R ISK AND ADOPT MEASURES lAHICH WILL PROTECT OUR NATION FROM THE THREAT OF HETEROSEXUAL SECURITY RISKS, LESBIANA

DON SLA TER BY Ge n e Damon

Reprinted 'with permission fro»( ONE ’vAgazine (August, 19 6 1) 1 9 0 . THE TROUBLED SEX BY CARLSON WADE. BEACON BOOKS, I 9 6 I .

THE USUAL CONGLOMERATION OF L IE S AND TRUTH AND MISINFOR- liATION BY ACCIDENT AND MISQUOTES BY DELIBERATION. A SE R IES OF CASE-HISTORIES HIGHLY FICTIONALIZED AND BORDERING ON THE SEXUALLY SENSATIONAL. THE ONLY UNUSUAL AND SALVAGIIMG V IR ­ "Homosexuality: Current Research Trends" was theme of the TUE IN TH IS COLLECTION IS THE AUTHOR'S HEAVY EI.PHASIS ON convention program presented over the Labor Day week end by THE EXTRENE DAi/IAGE DONE TO THE PERSON BY DENYING HOMO­ the Mattaohine Society of New York at the Hotel Commodore, SEXUAL LEANINGS AND EIW’HASIS ON THE "N0RMALNESS" 0E "L E E = - BI AN ISM FOR MANY PEOPLE. Featured on the program were: "Possibilities for Improved Laws Covering Homosexuals" by Robert V. Sherwin, secretary 1 9 1 . MR. BALLERINA BY RONN MARVIN. REGENCY BOOKS, I 9 6 1. of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex; "The Homo­

sexual in a Crisis Situation" by Dr, Russell G. Leiter, psy­ A RATHER SAD LOOK AT THE VERY GAY WORLD OF THE BALLET, chologist, Portsmouth Recei'Ving Hospital, Ohio; "Homosexual ACCORDING TO MR, MARVIN, EXCLUSIVELY PEOPLED WITH HOMOSEX­ John Doe: C itizen , Consumer, Friend" by L eslie Viinston of the UAL BOYS AND AN OCCASIONAL HOMOSEXUAL G IR L . BASICALLY Winston Book Service; "Review of Research During the Past 20 ANOTHER OF THE COrFLICT ST O R IES, IN WHICH ONE CHARACTER Years" by Isadore Rubin, assistant publisher of Sexology Ma­ gazine; "Recent Approaches to Homosexuality in Moral Theology" FIGHTS AGAINST H IS HOMOSEXUALITY. THE SAN FRANCISCO BACK­ by Rev. William P. Zion; "Dneonsoious Homosexuality" by Dr. GROUND IS VERY COLORFUL AND THE PRESENCE OF MAJOR LESBIAN Benjamin Karpmart, chief psychotherapist, St. Slizabeth's Hos­ CHARACTERS WILL lilAKE THIS OF INTEREST TO LADDER READERS. pital, Washington, D.C, A FAIRLY GOOD F IR S T NOVEL. W . MARVIN WILL BEAR YilATCHING.

"Areas for Further Research" was discussed by a panel inclu­ 1 9 2 . THE Sli'ALL ROOi.1 b y k a y SARTON. no rto n, 19 61 ding Joseph Aranow, attorney; Dr, P h y llis Daen, p sych olo gist:

Dr. Nathaniel S, Lehrman, p sy c h ia tr is t; Donald E, J , MaoNa- WITHOUT EXCEPTION TH IS IS THE VERY BEST I'lOVEL YET WRITTEN mara, president of the American Society of Cfininblogy,. and U SirC THE DEVICE OF INTRODUCING IN A WHOLLY NATURAL NANNER Rev. C, E. Egan, J r , Moderator was Donald Webster Cory, au­ A IvAJOR LESBIAN LOVE AFFAIR TRE.'^TED IN A COMPLETELY FRANK, thor of "The Homosexual in America", SYMPATHETIC, OFFHAND, AND UNCONCER^ED WAY, THE CONFLICTS, PLOT, ITS RESOLUTION AMO DEVELOPf.ENT ARE ALL DIVORCED FROti SEXUALITY OF THE CHARACTERS INVOLVED, AT LEAST AS FAR AS IT IS PO SSIBLE TO DO TH IS WITHOUT CHARACTER DESTRUCTION. Among the many candidates running for supervisor in the San Francisco November elections is Jose J. Sarria who declared THERE ARE S IX MAJOR CHARACTERS, INVOLVED IN A SCANDAL CON­ simply that he is concerned with "equality before the law," CERNING PLAGIARISM IN A WMEN'S COLLEGE. HIGHLY AND ENTHU­ Rumor has it that he is the "homosexual's candidate," the idea SIA ST IC A LLY RECOM EMOED TO EVERYONE. THE NOVEL IS BEAU­ being to tally by secret ballot the voting strength of this TIFULLY WRITTEN. minority group in the city of San Francisco, YOLR LIFE AS YOU SEE FIT AND WILL IVORK TO CHANGE SOCIETY'S ATTI­

TUDE TaW RD HOMOPHILES.

" IN THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OF THE UDOER YOU PRINTED AN 'OPEN LETTER TO A LESBIAN' BY STERNHAUSER. THE KINDLY INTENTIONS MANI­ FESTED IN TH IS AFTTICLE MftY MAKE MY FOLLOWING CRITIC ISM S SEEM UN­ " I HAVE BEEN A READER OF THE LADOEH FOR OVER A YEAR, AND ON NIWEH- KIND, BUT I FEEL THEM NECESSARY SINCE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE OUS OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN DISTOYED BY THE FREQUENCY WITH VIHICH HO­ AUTHOR HAS BEEN UWBLE TO DIVEST Hlt«ELF, GUT-VNSE (mERE IT MOSEXUALITY AND BISEXU ALITY ARE REFERRED TO AS ABNORMAL, OR AS A COUNTS), OF THE PREJUDICES HE HAS GROWN UP VNTH. QUIRK, OR AS A DEVIATION. 1 FEEL STRONGLY THAT THESE CONCEPTS ARE INACCURATE AND HARMFUL AND SHOULD HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR SO CIETY. "STERm AU SER REFERS TO HOMOSEXUALITY AS A 'Q U IRK ' AND SAYS ' . . . THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO DARE NOT BE ANYTHING MORE INTERESTING ■ 'It i s t r u e THAT THE VAST UNINFORMED MAJORITY OF OUR CULTURE THINKS THAN NORivIftL. ' THE UNINTENTIONAL IMPLICATION IS THAT HETEROSEXUAL­ OF THE HOMOPHILE AS BEING 'QUEER* AND DEVIANT AND ABNORMAL. (THESE ITY IS DULL BUT NORMAL WHILE HOMOSEXUALITY IS INTERESTING BUT NOT SAi.E FUZZY THINKERS BELIEVE THAT THE NEGRO IS 'B L A C K ' - A CONCEPT n o rm a l, som e o f you m y h a v e r e a d abo u t coiaiunities w hich u se d EA SILY DISPROVEN BY COMPARING ANY NEGRO SKIN TO A P IEC E OF BLACK TO d is c a r d THE HEART OF THE WATERMELON AS BEING UNFIT TO EAT, OR P A P E R .) AcT ijIALLY, THE PREVALENT CONCEPT OF »NORMAL* IS FAULTY AND WOULD NOT EAT TOMATOES FOR THE SAME REASON. THERE WAS NOTHING IS OFTEN USED AS A TOOL TO STRENGTHEN ALREADY EXAGGERATED DRIVES WRONG WITH THE MELON OR THE TOMATO THAT DIO NOT L IE IN THE M IS- TOWARD CONFORMITY AND IN-GROUPNESS WITH THE M AJORITY. HOMOPHILES EVALUATION. SIM ILARLY, THERE IS NOTHING QUIRKY OR ABNORMAL ABOUT ARE AS 'NORMAL' AND AS MUCH A PART OF THE NATURAL PATTERN AS ARE HOMOSEXUALITY SAVE AS UNINFORMED JUDGMENT KtoKES IT SO, HETEROSEXUALS OR BISEXUALS OR ANY-OTHER-KIND-OF-SEXUALS. RED HAIR WAS, IN TIMES LONG GONE BY, VIB\EO WITH SUSPICION OR JEERED AT "'|\HILE IT WAS GOOD TO READ STERNHAUSER'S KINDLY GENERALIZATIONS BECAUSE IT WAS D IFFERENT. LEFT-HANDEDNESS WAS SOMETHING TO BE a bo u t HOMOSEXUAL SOCIETY ( i . E . , YOU HAVE A GREATER DEPTH OF U tCER- COST. NOW TRAINED OUT OF A PERSON AT ANY IT SEEMS S IL L Y TO EVALU­ STANDING; YOU POSSESS AN EIJIPATHY WHICH 'W E' NEVER HOPE TO PO SSESS; ATE A PERSON IN TERMS OF HAIR COLOR OR HANDEDNESS. SIMILARLY, OUR YOU ARE MUCH MORE COURAGEOUS, E T C .) , IT IS ALSO WELL TO KEEP IN SOCIETY MUST LEARN THAT IT IS IRRELEVANT TO EVALUATE IN TERMS OF M il« THAT SUCH GENERALIZATIONS ARE SUBTLY, OFTEN UWJITTItvGLY, DEMON­ SEXUALITY. STRATIVE OF THE FACT THAT IN THE GOOD STERW AU SER'S MIND YOU ARE SOfcEHCXV A PEOPLE APART. SURELY MANY OF US MUST NOW BE SEN SITIV E TO "I f you a r e CONGENITALLY A HOMOFHILE, ALL THE GUILT-FEELINGS AND THE SUBTLE KIND OF PREJUDICE WHICH IS MANIFEST WHEN ONE SPEAKS OF ALL THE PSYCH IATRISTS IN THE ViORLD ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE YOUR HOVJ NEGROES HAVE SUCH A GOOD SENSE OF RHYTHM; OR HOW JEWS KNOW THE NEHDS, ANY MORE THAN THEY CAN CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR E Y E S , YOU BEST EATING-PLACES; OR HOW OBEDIENT JAPANESE WIVES ARE, ETC. RE­ HAVE AN EXTRA BURDEN TO DEAR AS YOU GO THROUGH L IF E IN AN UNIN­ GARDLESS OF HOW 'UNPREJUDICED* THE PERSON MAKING THESE GENERALIZA­ FORMED SO CIET Y, BUT SO - IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAYS - HAVE A R T IS T S , TIONS i'AAY FEEL HIMSELF TO B E , NO MATTER HOW KINDLY HE MAY INTEND POETS, OR ORIGINAL THINKERS OF ANY KIND . YOUR PROBLEM IS SUCH ONLY th em and how RIGHTEOUSLY INDIGNANT HE tMY BE WHEN ACCUSED OF PRE­ BECAUSE SOCIETY - OF VHICH YOU ARE A PART, AND ALSO OFTEN UNIN­ JUDICE, SUCH GENERALIZATIONS MUST BE SUSPECT. THEY ARE BUT THE FORMED, ALAS - IS S T IL L UNENLIGHTENED AND UNABLE TO RELINQUISH OTHER SIDE OF THE PREJUDICE-COIN - A BETTER SIDE IT WY SEEM, BUT EA SILY ANY OF IT S EXISTING SCAPEGOAT GROUPS. PREJUDICE NEVERTHELESS. FOR A PERSON WHO THINKS IN THESE TERiWS IS SO m iO W TRYING NOBLY TO BE GENEROUS AND OPEN-MINDED BUT, ALA S, NOT "I f YOUR HOMOSEXUALITY IS PRIM ARILY ENVIRONf;.ENTAL (AND I AM OF THE QUITE MAKING IT . IT WOULD BE W RE HONEST, AND PERHAPS MORE COMFOR­ FIRJvl B E LIE F THAT IT IS MUCH LE SS FREQUENT THAN SOME ViELL-ME AN ING TABLE TO STATE THAT NOT ALL (PERHAPS EVEN MOST) NEGROES HAVE A BUT BLUNDERING AUTHORITIES WULO HAVE US B E L IE V E ), AND IF IT BRINGS GOOD SENSE OF RHYTHM. BUT WE NOTICE THE O^ES WHO DO; THAT MANY JB ^ S YOU MORE G R IEF THAN SATISFACTIO NS, YOU lAAY VjANT TO WORK CHANGING DO NCZr KNOW THE BEST EATING-PLACES; AND THAT JAPANESE WIVES CAN BE T H IS IN YOURSELF. OR YOU MAY DECIDE THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO LIV E SHREW OR NOT, LIK E OTHER W IVES, AND THAT THEY ARE PERMITTED TO D E- I.'ONSTRATE TH IS DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERING CULTURES. BILITIS

1 N C 0 R P 0 Rrated "•■ JE MAY BE HOMOSEXUALS, OR BISEX U A LS, OR '.’HATEVER, BUT NO MATTER p u t V»VB ■■■ i'HAT A STEREOTYPE TRIES TO MAKE US BELIEVE ABOUT OURSELVES, '.VE ARE FIRST OF ALL PEOPLE - NATURAL, 'NORMAL' PEOPLE IN A LARGE PATTERN n a t io n a l headquarters and San Francisco Chapter: 1232 ^farket St. OF HULIANITY, EACH IVITH H IS OWN SET OF IDIOSYNCRACIES (AS VIEWED BY Suite 108, San Francisco 2, California THE INTOLERANT). SOME OF US ARE iVORE EMPATHETIC, SOME ARE LESS; SOME COURAGEOUS, SOME NOT. WHATEVER 'ME ARE, LET US TRY TO ACCEPT N«ir York Ch^ter: P. 0 . Box 3629, Now York, N. Y, Lot Angeles Chapters 52? Haael St,, Olendale, Cal. EACH MEMBER OF HUMANITY ON THE B A S IS OF H IS OWN IN TRINSIC VX3RTH, A - PART FROM PREFABRICATED CONCEPTS AND PIGEON-HOLES HANDED TO US FROM A SOCIETY WHICH IS BARELY IN ITS OT.N ADOLESCENCE. AND LET US NOT BE MEMBERSHIP in the Daughters of Bilitis is limited to women 21 years DIVERTED FROM THIS BY THE TEMPTATION OF PIGEON-HOLES AND PREJUDICES of age or older. If in San Francisco, New York or Los Angeles area, WHICH, L IK E OUR WELL-ivEANING, GOOD-HEARTED MR. STERIvHAUSER'S ARE direct inquiry to chapter concerned; otherwise write to National Office MORE KINDLY INTENDED THAN SOME OTHERS." in San Francisco. THE LADDER: a monthly publication by the DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, F. B ., CALIFORNIA INC., mailed first class in a plain sealed envelope for $4.00 per year. ♦ ^ ^ ^ CONTRIBUTIONS are gratefully accepted from anyone who wishes to assist us in our work. We are a non-profit corporation working entirely on "YOUR PUBLICATION HAS ALWAYS SEEN IN MY EYES ONE OF FORTHRIGHT donated labor. Our fees are not of such amounts as to allow for much MATERIAL, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SEE A REPORT OF THE TALK OF DR, expansion o^the publication. While men may not become members of the DRELLICH BEFORE THE FORMER NEW YORK AREA COUNCIL OF THE MATTA- DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC., many have expressed interest in our eF CHINE S o c i e t y , In c . ( noiv K N a w a s t h e toTTACHiNE S o c i e t y o f new forts and our publication and have made contributions to further out work. Y o r k ) . B u t d i d n ' t you f e e l i t w u l d b e appropriate to m e n t io n Of course, apyone over 21 years of age may subscribe to THE LADDER. BEFORE IHAT 'LARGE AUDIENCE' OR UNDER WHOSE SPONSORSHIP THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN? SIN CE THE ARTICLE SHOV,S NO AUTHORSHIP OR CRED IT, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOU PEOPLE WERE THE AUTHORS. DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. 1232 Market‘Street, Suite 108, "ViE WOULD a p p r e c i a t e YOUR CORRECTING T H IS MISUNDERSTANDING PER­ n HAPS IN YOUR NEXT ISS U E . 'I'VE HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET SPEAKERS OF San Francisco 2, California.

SUCH HIGH CALIBER THAT AN ACKNCH"jLEDG(C;NT WOULD BE OUR DUE. BY Please send THE LADDER for year(s) by first class mail sealed to the THE m Y, IF THIS LETTER SEEMS A LITTLE HARSH, IT IS BECAUSE AT address below. I enclose S at the rate of $4.00 for each year ordered. FIRST GLANCE I FELT 'ME HAD BEEN SLIGHTED. NO OFFENCE IS MEANT. I ADMIRE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AhD CERTAINLY WISH YOU ALL W ELL."

ALBERT J . OE DION, CHAIRMAN NAME- iviATTACHINE SO CIETY OF NEW YORK ADDRESS.

ED ITO R 'S No t e : s o r r y , we g o o f e d . Th e a r t i c l e in q u e s t io n i s .ZONE___STATE. "New F in o s from Psychoanalytic Re s e a r c h on homosexuality " w hich CITY. a p p e a r e d in t h e i»iAY, I9 6 I ISSUE OF THE LADDER. I am over 21 years 0/ age (Signed).