THE LADDER OCTOBER/NO VEM BER, 1971 $1.25 the LADDER, Published by Lesbians and Directed to ALL Women Seeking Full Human Dignity, Had Its Beginning in 1956
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THE LADDER OCTOBER/NO VEM BER, 1971 $1.25 THE LADDER, published by Lesbians and directed to ALL women seeking full human dignity, had its beginning in 1956. It was then the only Lesbian VOLUME 16 No. 1 and 2 THE publication in the U.S. It is now the only women s magazine openly supporting OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, 1971 Lesbians, a forceful minority within the women’s liberation movement. LADDER Initially THE LADDER’S goal was limited to aehieving the rights accorded heterosexual women, that is, full second-class citizenship. In the 1950’s women as a whole were as yet unaware of their oppression. The Lesbian knew. And she wondered silently when her sisters would realize that they too share many of the Lesbian’s handicaps, those that pertained to being a woman. THE LADDER STAFF THE l a d d e r ’s purpose today is to raise all women to full human status, with Editor ..................................................................................................Gene Damon all of the rights and responsibilities this entails; to include ALL women, whether Director of Promotion........................................................................ Rita Laporte Lesbian or heterosexual. Production Editor ......................................................................Hope Thompson \ Circulation M anager...........................................................................Ann P. Buck OCCUPATIONS have no sex and must be opened to all qualified persons Production A ssistants................................................Lyn Collins, Kim Stabinski, for the benefit of all. V, Jan Watson, King Kelly, Ann Brady, Robin Jordan LIFE STYLES must be as numerous as human beings require for their Staff C artoonist................................................................................... Ev Künstler personal happiness and fulfillment. Art C olum nist............................................................................. Sarah Whitworth Cross Currents E d ito r........................................................................ Gladys Irma Staff A rtist.................................................................................. Adele A. Chatclin ABILITY, AMBITION, TALENT - THESE ARE HUMAN QUALITIES. CONTENTS: THE LADDER, though written, edited, and circulated by volunteer labor, Machines Are Only Human by Wilda C hase.................................................... 4 cannot survive without money. fEe Lesbians are perhaps more anxious than other women to make our views known. We wish we could blanket the country Political Theology or Practical Government by Rita ¡Mporte................. 17 and the world with free copies. But stern reality tells us that, more important Lesbiana by Gene Damon ................................................................................... 27 even than mass distribution, is the need to keep alive the only real Lesbian Open Letter to u Black Sister by Anita R. Cornwell .......................................33 magazine in the world. Therefore THE LADDER will no longer be sold at Three Poems by Lyn Kelly ................................................................................... 36 newsstands. We will survive only if there are enough o f you sufficiently Cross C urrents.............................................................. 37 concerned with the rights and the liberation o f ALL women to spend $7.50 a Journeys in Art by Sarah Whitworth ..................................................................38 year to subscribe. (Sample copies are always available at $1.25.) Readers R espond.................................................................................................. 32 ADVERTISING RATES COVER: Self Portrait by Romaine Brooks. 1923. Oil on canvas. National Half Page .................................$45 Back C over............................$100 Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of the Artist. Quarter Page............................ $25 Full Page .............................. $ 80 Unless otherwise credited all illustrations are by staff artist Adele A. Chatelin Repeated Advertisements at Reduced Rates and all cartoons are by staff cartoonist Ev Künstler. BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE. WRITE FOR COST. THIRD CLASS MAIL IS NOT FORWARDABLE. When moving send us your old address and ZIP as well as new address and ZIP, Published bi-monthly at Box 5025, Washington Station, Reno, Nevada, 89503. All rights reserved. No part o f this periodical may be reproduced without the written consent o f THE LADDER. 2 --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- - " " Tk ì f ACT I SCENE II Diana’s apartment. That evening. Diana, in infìCHJI^iES fìRE Ql^EV HUIVlflM slacks, is sitting on the sofa with a needle and thread, repairing something. The door By WILDA CHASE bell rings. She puts down her sewing and Casi— neck. She pulls sharply away.) Get away goes to the door. Enter Rowena in slacks. riiana Taylor Mrs. Parker from me! Rowena Kramer Dr. Potdome* Rowena - Hi! Mrs. Underhill Dr. Lustgarten* Rowena - Ok! Diana, goddess of cha.stity. Diana — I thank you, Rowena, goddess of Diana — Rowena! Mrs. Hawthorne Wallv* Rowena — (holding out her arms) Kiss me! Mr. Miller* the gutter. Rowena — There you go again, knocking Diana — (stepping back) Now, wouldn’t (prepared for an all-female theatre group; my life style. that be a little like putting my lips on a *male parts to be played by female.s.) Diana — Your life style hasn’t got any life public toilet? Rowena — How that girl loves me! Thank PLACE - NEW YORK CITY to it. Rowena — It does too. J ust because I’ve got you, 1 will drop in for awhile, (sits TIME - PRESENT lots of friends . down) ACT 1 SCENE 1 Diana — Friends! You couldn’t tell me the Diana — (sitting down) Why aren’t you at 'I room in a researeh institution, in the first names of any three of your dearest Cherry’s? center o f the room is a long table with friends, let alone la.sl names. Friends! Rowena — Aw, a bunch of spoil sports. W’e stacks of papers on it. On the wall is a huge Rowena — Oh, I could too. Come along were going to have an orgy but nobody graph. Enter Diana in white laboratory coat with me to Cherry’s tonight and I’ll would take her clothes off so we all left. with pencil and notebook in her hand. She prove it. Cherry’s an old friend. Diana — Orgy! Rowena, did it ever occur to examines the papers on the table, makes Diana - You’ve known her for less than a you that people have orgies because they entries in her notebook. Enter Rowena in month. Old friend! By next month you are under sexed and need an excess of laboratory coat with a stack o f papers, won’t even remember her name. The stimulation in order to feel something? which she throws on the table. circus will go on but you’ll be on The trouble with you people is that different merry-go-rounds. you’re not capable of genuine passion, of Rowena — Well, that’s the last of them. Rowena - That’s ok with me a long as it really caring for a single human being. Diana - Good. I’ll just get the rest of these keeps going around. (!ome along with me You know .something? Lesbians used to figure.« then I’m going home and take a tonight and have a little fun for a be special people, people capable of hot bath, {rubs her brow) This work is change. outstanding passions and undying loyal making me sick. Diana - Fun! Rowena, 1 can get a piece of ties. Now they’re as common as every Rowena - If you’re sueh a prude why meat at a butcher shop. What I can’t find body else, (resumes her sewing) didn't you tell them you didn’t want to is a little human companionship in a Rowena — It’s just that we don’t believe in get involved in sex research? world where human beings are obsolete. exclusive relationships. Diana — It was the only technician’s job Rowena — You don’t give people a chance. Diana — Then you don’t believe in relation open at the time and I needed the Now, there’s Linda. She’s going to be at ships. A relationship is exclusive, money. Cherry’s tonight and she’s had a thing Rowena. Rowena — Well, the grant for this project’s about you ever since she first saw you. Diana — The sexual revolution? Oh, you Rowena — I’m faithful to love, not to just about expired. Of course, it could Diana — Linda goes out with men. mean the gutter where the heterosexual lovers. always be renewed . Rowena — So what? Lots of I..esbians do. perverts and the homosexual perverts lie Diana — W'hich is to say you love love, not a Diana - That filthy creep! Diana — That’s not what / call a Lesbian. down together. 1 can just hear one of person. Rowena - I know you don’t like Dr. (between clenched teeth) That’s what 1 them saying to another, “Oh, pardon Rowena - It’s the game that counts. Lustgarten, but he is a scientist. call a common slut. me, haven’t we met? I don’t remember Diana - Game-playing is a substitute for Diana - He’s a filthy creep. Rowena — Diana! your face, but your ass looks familiar.” genuine relationships, which you’re not Rowena — Well, he’s got to make a living, Diana — I can’t stand your kind, so just Rowena - ,)ust tell me one thing, how does capable of. and research welfare is about the only keep out of my way. anyone goaboiitmakingfriendswilh you? Rowena — We try to love everybody. field left open. Rowena — (shaking her head) That’s too Diana - Rowena, friendship is a personal Diana — You can’t love everybody if you Diana — There’s something wrong with that bad. Linda asked for you personally. She relationship, and you can’t have personal can’t love somebody. man. .Anybody .so obse.s.sed with the said, “Oh, do bring that sweet, lovely relationships with people who are not Rowena - I like to relate to lots of people female orgasm has got to be sick. anachronism.” persons, (picks up her notebook and so that I can extend myself. Rowena — Well, it’s his hustle, and ours Diana — Tell her that sweet, lovely anachro turns to go) And since I’m the world’s Diana - You’ve been “extending yourself” too. W'e’vc got to pay the rent. Maybe nism has no use for a leftover piece of last surviving person I can’t expect to for years, and look at you! No more some good will come out of it.