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. Bigger meat. have my life enriched with a friend. content than a crumpled carton on a and better orgasms . . . Rowena — Whew! You know, you’re really rubbish heap. Extend yourself! That’s a Diana — .Ah, me! (she sighs, rolls her eyes in out of it. Exit Diana. Rowena sighs, shakes her head, cannibalistic illusion. You think you are exasperation, and continues jotting Diana — Out of what? starts walking out slowly. taking bites out of people, but what figures down in her notebook. Rowena Rowena - Out of your time, out of the you’re really doing is throwing yourself approaches and tries to ki.is her on the sexual revolution . . . CURTAIN away in little pieces. 4 Rowcna — You think sex is all we’ve got. I mean. They .said I wasn’t good enough, Diana You haven’t even got that. but my brother got in and I always made ACr 1 .SCKNK III finished. What use would they be to Rowcna — Diana, we arc trying to pioneer a higher grades than he did. Now he’s got a Same room in research institution. Next anyone at the Institute any way? new way of life, a kind of group (gesturing) big piece of the corruption in day. Enter Diana in laboratory coat, with Diana — Rowcna! affair . . . one of those glass and steel empires pencil and notebook. She goes to the graph Rowena — (chuckling) W'e already know Diana — Without commilmeni or responsi­ where the elite meet to cheat and my on the wall, locates a point, makes an entry who our first customers . . . er . . . bility. A sort of “no strings,” huh? All little piece of corruption won’t even pay in her notebook. Enter Rowena with clients are going to be. marginal attachment.s and no real re­ my rent. 1 know girls living four and five papers, which she throws on the table. Diana - Why do you keep saying “we”? lationship,«. Rowena. what you crumbs in a room. They have to deveiop a taste Rowcna - “We” means us, us, (pointing) are after is a new kind of society that for orgie.s, or have no sex life. It’s not Rowena — We’ve finished on 9 and 10. you and me. can accommodate the needs of emotion­ altogether a question of choice, you Diana — Onmt me out. ally deficient people. Y'ou are pioneering know. People will be what their circum­ Enter Mrs. Underbill and Mrs. Hawthorne Rowena - Diana, I couldn't do that to you. a Philosophy of Deficiency, it’s as simple stances force them to be. (after a long from the back, deep in conversation as they There’s a fortune in this and I’d think a.« that. You just haven’t got the self- silence) Diana, is it normal to hate your cross the stage on their way out. shame to liave it all to myself. Besides, content it takes to form genuine re­ own brother? we need capital. Now. between the two lationships, that’s all. Diana - I think you would be very sick if .Vlrs. Underhill — How that machine reads of us we II have all we need . . . Rowena — I like being part of a group, it’s you didn’t. me! Diana - You’re dreaming, stimulating . . . Rowena - At least you’re on my side there. Mrs. Hawtliorne - It’s .«o good to lie down Rowena — You Iiet I am. baby! We’re Diana — l.ike blowing your noses all on the Diana — Ouch! and do it until there’s none left. made. Diana, made, (chuckling) If that same handkerchief. Rowena — What’s the matter? Mrs. Underhill — (gesturing) It turns you machine liad arms . . . Rowena - Thai’s not what I mean! 1 have a Diana - I stabbed myself with the needle. on, it turns you off. I’m dying for a Diana - Now how could we ever open lot of relationships with a lot of dif­ Rowena — You’re lucky that it wasn’t cigarette. I don’t know why but it does a . . .a . . , What would we cn/y it? ferent people and each relationsiiip is loaded. (Diana looks up, grins in spile of that to me. Rowena - It will be a clinic for sexual unique and involves some special part of herself) Diana? therapy, get it? W'e will treat women for my.self . . . Diana — Huh? Exit Mrs. Underhill and Mrs. Hawthorne. frigidity. It’s a serious di.sease, you Diana — Some fragment of yoiir.self, Rowena —You loved somebody once, didn’t Diana and Rowena look at each other with know, and a public threat second only to Rowena. When do you get it all you? raised eyebrows. War. together? Who knows y-ou? Who loves Diana — (looking down) Yes. Diana — Really? you? Do you really think any of fho.se Rowena - Whatever happened to her? Rowcna — What’d I tell you? They est. Men of title, you desk drawer and opens it ceremoniously) Rowena — Good morning, Madam! How’s and if I’m not given some satisfaction 111 know. President, Chairman of the W'ell, before you yield up the ghost let business? be forced to see my lawyer first thing in Diana - (shaking her fist) I warned you not Board . . . business aristocrats. I figure me read you something out of the Holy we can rig up an Rxeeutive’s Room, red Scriptures, our bankbook. Deposits for the morning. to call me that! Diana - I’m sorry 1 wasn’t able to see you larpeting, and everything, (sweep o f the Rowena — (sits down on the edge o f the the month of September . . - yesterday, Mrs. Parker, Now you just sit hand) Atmosphere . . . desk, lights a cigarette) Now what arc Diana — I know we’re making money, down and teU me what’s the matter. Diana — (closing her book sharply) I don I you sore about? Here we are, making Rowena. « Mrs. Parker - (crisply) No, thank you. I know why I ever let you talk me into Rowena - Then wny aren t you happy. money hand over fist in the world’s first prefer to stand. automated whorehouse and you gotta this. (Diana sighs, turns away) If you can stick Rowena - (worried) What’s the trouble, Rowena — It’s no worse than what you it out until the end of the year you can get a case of compunctions. We’re not Mrs. Parker? selling flesh, you know. We’re providing were doing before, and the material retire a millionaire. .»u* rewards are nothing to thumb your no.se Mrs. Parker - I’m pregnant. a legitimate service. Scientific . . . Diana - (turning) 1 suppose I could at that. Diana - (relieved) Oh, you don t have to at. It’s money that makes the world go Automated . . . Clean . . . worry about that, Mrs. Parker. You can Diana - Then why do you call it a ’round, sweety, money. continue with your treatments right up Diana - A lot of good that’s going to do Enter Mrs. Parker, an expression o f indig whorehouse? People come to us because until delivery. electrical stimulation helps them to func­ me. If 1 don’t get out of tliis business I’m nation on her face» tion better . . . going to catch my death of disgust. Rowena — Modern science has liberated the ACT II SCENE II any poor sucker who makes an innocent Dr. Potdome - Right. The TV set is the closest thing to a human involvement pregnant woman from the thralls of Same room in research institution. The pass. So? . vaginal inaceessibility. Our machines can stacks o f reports on the table are now in a Dr. Potdome - So they feel safer with a they can find. Now, if it’s going to be their most intimate companion, why go right over the mountain and into the disordered heap. The graph on the wall has machine. valley without any difficulty. come loose at one end and is hanging. Enter Dr Lustgarten — Right! Now if we should .shouldn’t they screw it? Mrs. Parker - I know that, Miss Kramer. Dr, Lustgarten in white Uiboratory coal. He mas.s-produr,c a small inexpensive port­ Dr. Lustgarten - (with rising excitement) Kowena Then what’s the problem? rips the chart o ff the wall, looks it over, able machine they could use in their own W'c’ll put out TV sets they can have a i Mrs. Parker — I told you. I’m pregnant, and throws it on top o f the heap o f papers. home, or take to the office, we’d really complete relationship with! Dr. Potdome - You got the picture! We’ll you can't deny that it’s your responsi­ Enter Dr. Potdome in laboratory coat. be set up. bility. I’ll be perfectly willing to .settle Dr. Poldomc - (taken aback) lhat even attach a marriage contract to the out of court if . . . Dr, Lustgarten — Oh, Dr. Potdome! You’re wouldn’t be very dignified. Lusty. Is guarantee. Thi-S will be the biggest in­ Diana and Rowena — Our resp ? just the man I want to see. Now that our there some way we could disguise it. novation of the century. It will transform Mrs. Parker — I wasn’t pregnant before 1 work here is done and our findings ready Maybe sell it as a backscratcher? the dome.stic economy. started coming here. for publication what trail will you be Dr. Lustgarten - Don’t worry about its Dr. Lustgarten - It certaiidy will transform Rowena - Well, you can't claim that one of following in your pursuit of truth? image. Our adverli.sing campaign will domestic relationships. our machines has knocked you up. Dr. Potdome — Why, whichever trail leads take care of that. Dr. Potdome - (turning to go) Well, let us Mrs. Parker — That is exarlly what I’m me to the biggest grants. How about Dr. Potdome - There are a lot of people not tarry here. A new era is liorn! claiming. There hasn’t lieen . . . you? who would us a machine at home but are anybody else. Dr. Lustgarten — (in a confidential tone) loo embarrassed to go into a salon. ^ Exit Dr. Potdome. Dr. Lustgarten throws a Rowena — (wide-eyed) Now, sec here, See here. Potty, I’ve got so m e th in g Dr Lustgarten - Exactly! Now you re contemptuous look at the papers on the machines can’t do that. on my mind . . . plugged in, old man. The way 1 figure it, table and hurries after Dr. Potdome. Mrs. Parker — (superciliously) Machines can Dr. Potdome — Why, what’s nailing you wc could put out a small model that do anything. down, man? Speak. would do anything the big machines can CURTAIN Diana — V our husband won’t like having a Dr. l-ustgartcn — Remember the two tech­ do except measure and record, which is a machine take credit for his handiwork. nicians who left our staff and made off little aside from the purpose. ,\CT II SCENE 111 Diana's apartment. Two years later. Diana, Mrs. Parker — (coldly) My hu.'ibarid hasn’t with our machines? Dr. Potdome - (snapping “ tieen able to get it up in years. Dr. Poldomc — Yeah. We really blew it that name for it. How about READI-MAT E. in slacks, is sitting on the sofa going through some business records. Her face is Rowena — .kw, come on. He’s been slipping time, didn’t we? (gesturing) NO HIT AND MISS, MAKE tense and occasionally she shakes her head. it to you in your sleep. Don’t be so sure Dr, Lustgarten — You know .something. IT EVERYTIME! The telephone rings. the old battery’s dead, especially since Potty? (pointing at his head) W'e got Dr. Lu-Stgarten - Smashing! he's been coming here to juice up. something missing up there. Dr. Potdome - (gesturing) .Mrs. Parker — He has not! Dr. Potdome — W'e’re not busines.sme.n. t h in g BETFER, or HAVE YOL HAD Diana - (picking up the receiver) Hello . . Rowena — (opening the book\ pointing) Lusty, were .scientists. We discover ANY LATELY? yes . .. yes, 1 know . . . We should never Got his name right here in the ap|)oinl- needs, they exploit them. Dr Lustgarten - (laughing) You know. Pot, have opened that salon in Detroit . nient book. Dr. Lustgarten — Oh, wc could turn a trick you’ve got talents you’ve never Well . . . It’s getting late, Kowena . . Mrs. Parker — (furious) Why, that . . . or two. Potty. Why .should we lick asses suspected. U t’s talk about it tomorrow at the that . . . cuckoo! to get research grants when Icssct than Dr. Potdome — grubbing his hands together) office . . . Oh, all right, (she hangs up the we are rolling in blue chips? I’m just warming up, man. When 1 get phone and returns to the biwiness kxit Mrs. Parker in a ra^te. Diana and Dr, Potdome — Are you suggesting we go myself in shape I’ll really show you a record.s. The doorbell rings. She looks up Rowena stare at each other in astonishment into competition with the girls? thing or two. ini' inquiringly, goes to the door, j for some moments. Dr. Lustgarten - No. I’m suggesting we put Dr. Lustgarten - (turning to go) Well, lets them out of business. go gel those colored lights blinking. Ihc Enter Kowena, in slacks. Diana — 1 didn’t know we had a Mr. Parker Dr, Potdome - That wouldn’t be easy. world is waiting. on the books. They’ve got a head start. Dr Potdome - fwaltxirw around) 5>ay, I Rowena - ^seeing Diana’s surprise) I was Rowena - We don’t. But when somebody Dr. Lu.stgarten - (pointing at his head) Lusty! I’m on to something big! If we re sticks you with a paternity suit, Diana, ß'e’ve got a head start, Potty, if wc going to sell screwing machines to alien­ down in the lobby. you gotta lie out of it. would only take advantage of it. ated people, 1 know exactly how to get Diana - Oh. (they sit down) Did you ever Diana — Silly! Nobody could make a case Dr. Potdome - I’m listening. through to them. Television! get hold of Irma? Rowena - Yes. She got an offer from against us for pregnancy. Machines can’t Dr. Lustgarten — All right. .Now, why have Dr. Lustgarten - Sure. We’ll advertise coast do that. the girks been so successful? READl-MATE lhat would burn your to coast. , u j ■ Rowena - (with a wink) Diana, machines Dr. Potdome — Because there are so many Dr. Potdome - No, that’s not what 1 had m ears to hear. can do any thing. people out there in need of sex therapy. mind. Certainly we will advertí^ on TV Diana - Those crooks! Rowena - They’re not crooks. We would Dr. Lustgarten — Sex therapy! They’re out but we’ll do more than that. Well sell Rowena tosses the checkbook on the desk for a quick ea.sy piece, that’s all. Re­ have done the same thing to them. I his is them TV sets they can screw! the business world, Diana, and business and withdraws within. Diana sits down and member the old days when life was Dr. Lustgarten - You lost me on the curve starts goinfi over the book. simple and sex games were easy to pull Dr. Potdome - When people can t make it D iaL '"- And Irma wants to lie on the off? Well, times have changed. Alien­ with other people what’s the licst winning side. CDRT.MN ation has set in. People are ho.stilc and people-substitute they can find. suspicious, ready to snap the head off Rowena - Wouldn’t you? You vc got no Dr. Lustgarten - Television. you’ve got up your sleeve or do 1 have to woman decides she wants to “have” a pick you up and shake it out? baby. That’s all there is to it. Ovary Rowena - First you gotta tell me why specimens could be taken from aged you’re hanging on to a business that women, liabies, even corpses. you’ve always hated. Diana — (wide-eyed) Rowena, you’ve hit Diana — (iooking down at her hands) Well, bedrock! it has been a living for us, and for our Rowena - 1 wa.s afraid you wouldn’t like employees too. We’re too big now to the idea. take a step like this lightly, too many Diana — We could engineer a social people arc involved. revolution! Rowena — We can’t meet the payroll if we Rowena — Well, actually, I was counting on don’t make a profit. making a little money. Diana - (sighs) You’re right. The time has Diana — (runs to Rowena and hugs her) come to fold. We’re in busine.s$! (kisses her cheek) Rowena — Unless . . . unless we convert. Rowena — Hey, more of that and you’ll Diana - Convert into what? (looks Rowena have to marry me. in the face) Rowena, you’re up to Diana — When do we start? something! Rowena — Making love? Rowena — (hesitating) Well . . . I’ve been Diana — Making a revolution. making inquiries. I didn’t want to tell Rowena — (getting up) As soon as I line up you until I had it all together. the right people. Grab your coat. We’re Diana — Wliat c;ould we possibly do with going for a ride. those machines except . . . Diana — At this hour? Rowena — We’ll sell the machines, Diana, Rowena — Honey, when one is making a but not the salons. We’ll get some new revolution one doesn’t ask the time. machines and make . . . They grab their things and rush for the Diana — .Make what? door. Rowena — Babies. Diana — (after a long silence) Rowena, you CURTAIN .slay me. 1.1 minute intermission Rowena - 1 mean it. What’s everybody talking about these days? The popu­ ACT 111 SCENE 1 lation implosion. Meetings, lectures, A business office. A huge sign on the wall .symposiums. Senate committees making reads: READI-MATE, INC. A long sales inve.stigations. I’ll bet we could even get graph underneath it shows a curve that rises government contracts! steadily then drops o ff sharply. Dr. Lust­ Diana — (gets up, walks around in a daze) garten, in a business suit, is pacing the floor. But the machines? The telephone rings. Rowena — Bailey Institute has an experi­ mental model that could easily be copied Dr. Lustgarten — (picking up the receitwr) and put into commercial use. Hello . . . yes .. . yes . . . Yes, we make Diana — W'hat would we do with the . . . repairs. .. Which model have you babies? got?. . . 1 see . . . Keeps losing its erec­ Rowena — We’ll take orders from private tion? . . . Ten times a day! For Christ’s room to complain. You didn’t want Irma Diana — Has READI-MATE made you an customers, and if we get federal con­ sake, lady, machines are only on our side in the first place, remember? offer? tracts we’ll turn them out for public human!. . . What!. . . Lady, watch your Diana — She’s been a good manager. Rowena — No! What’s got into you? nurseries. Why should women carry language . . . all right. . . all right. . . I’ll Rowena — Yep. Now we’ll have to close the Diana — You’re holding something back. babies in their bodies when they don’t have somebody come over and take a Westchester salon. Maybe we should seU Rowena — Diana, we’re losing money. The have to? They’ve known for a long time look at i t . . . (writes down the address) out and join READI-MATE. That’s what time has come to fold, that’s all. now in Women’s Liberation that women . . . As soon as we can. (hangs up) they mean when they say if you can’t Diana — What do you plan to do if we go can be free only when their bodies are lick ’em join ’em. out of business? no longer productive property. Enter Dr, Potdome, in business suit. Diana — So? You’re ready to sell out to the Rowena — Stay home, (winking) Meet a Diana — The women would still have to enemy. nice television set and get married. undergo an operation. Dr. Potdome —' Maybe we should go back Rowena — Diana, you don’t stick with a Diana — (angry) Rowena! You’re holding Rowena — A fig! A smaU incision to remove to grants. This profit thing is so un­ dying enterprise merely out of loyalty. something back! a bit of ovary tissue. One tiny bit, Diana, certain. That’s just the way things are. We made Rowena — You know me like a book, don’t growing in tissue culture could yield a Dr. Lustgarten - Did you get him on the bushels while the sun shone. Now it’s you? hundred egg cells. The eggs could be phone? time to come in out of the rain. Diana — Are you going to tell me what frozen and stored and used only when a Dr. Potdome — He was out. Diana — No doubt you told her about the out there tell that man to come in and Dr. Lustgarten — Catch your breath, man, Dr. Ijistîîartcti — (grasping his brow) Out mani^erial position we have open. III try to get the pieces together. aftain! Oui, out, always out. What’s the you’re turning blue. Rowena — I did. And she accepted. I use of having a eontact in Washington if Wally — They’re organizing . . . figured it would be all right with you. Exit Rowena with the two women. Enter he’s always out of contact with us? Dr. Potdome — What’s this? Diana — Ok, Rowena, But if she deserts us Mr. Miller. Dr. Poldomc — 1 left a message. He’s doing Wally — (gasping) Campus groups . . . this time . . . the l)c.st he can. springing up all over the country . . . Rowena — She never deserted us. We folded Mr. Miller — Miss Taylor? (Diana nods) 1 Dr. Liistgartcn - He didn’t keep them from Dr. Lustgarten — The point, man, the point. up under her like a paper boat. Don’t was told that you might be able to help pas.sing that 20% luxury tax on us. Wally - (gasping) .Starting a movement. . . worry, as long as she’s got a thriving me. You see, I want . . . Dr. Potdome - No, but he did get us rejecting sex . . . already spreading to enterprise to manage she’ll stick with it. Diana — You want to be a mother, (he federal assistance to help us over the the suburbs . . . Diana - I said ok. nods) Well, Mrs. Miller, you just deliver slump. The Administration is well aware Dr. Potdome — Rejecting sex! Smart alec Rowena — What a goddamned snob you us a sperm sample and leave the fuss to llial if our plants shut down thereTl be kids, always up to no good. are. us. We’ve not handled a case like this widespread unemployment. Dr. Lustgarten - Get our Washington con­ Diana — I know it, Rowena, and I would before but we never give up. Now, what Dr. l.usigarlen — What’s good for READI- tact on the phone! It’s those damned rather be a snob than a slob. well do is borrow an egg cell from one M ATE is good for the country. Communists again, out to destroy pri­ Rowena — (shrugging) Takes all kinds. of our cultures . . . Dr. I’otdome — They know that. They vate enterprise by corrupting the young. Guess who’s out there in the waiting Mr. Miller — Then some woman will be the won’l let us down. When we get HUAC on their tails they’ll room. mother and I’ll be the father. Dr. Lustgarten — What we need is an lake off so fast they’ll outrun their Diana — Not a delegation of storks, I hope. Diana — No, Mr. Miller. We’ll remove the exciting new model. That’s what the shadows. If they ever start organizing, 1 tell you, nucleus, which contains the chromo­ public wants — something different. Wally — (still gasping) Off on a new it’s over the hill for us. somes, and fertilize the egg with your You’ve always got to tantalize them with kick . . . calling it ascxuality. Rowena — You’re a riot, Diana, (sits down own sperm. Then well suppress the first a difference. Dr. Potdome — Ascxuality! It’s just a new on the corner o f the desk) Remember cell division to restore the chromosome Dr. I’otdome - I’ve got it! We’ll put out a way of defying authority. Well, we’ve tlio.se two women back at the research number, and you will be the sole model with a heartbeat! got the weapons. We’ve put down institute who always used to come and parent. Dr. Eu.stgarten — You’re giving off signals, campus revolts before and we can do it go together? (noth toward the waiting Mr. Miller — Will it look like me? Potty, and 1 read you. I’ll get our design again. room) They’re out there. You 11 never Diana — As much like you as an identical Dr. Lustgarten - Spreading to the suburbs! engineers on the job right away. guess what happened. twin, except for the age difference. Dr. Poldome — We’ll launch a new earn- Dr. Potdome - Don’t worry. Lusty, old pal, Diana — They eloped with television sets. Actually, identical twins are never identi­ we’ve got the Administration on our paign that will appeal to the younger set. Rowena — They divorced their husbands cal, they are simply more closely related All hearts and roses. side. and married each other. They’ve got a than other siblings. Parthenogenetic off­ Dr. Lustgarten — That’s right. What’s good Dr. I.ustgarten — There’s something I’ve problem, though. This new marriage has spring have their own identity, never been meaning to tell you. Pot. It’s time for READI-MATE is good for the not been blessed with children. fear. we changed our agency . I knew that last country. I’m going to try to get Diana — Send them in, Rowena, and well Mr. Miller — 1 know two men who are eani(taign was all wrong, (mimicking) Washington again, (hurries to the tele­ bless them abundantly. married and childless. Would you be able •‘MEN! DON’T DO IT IN YOUR phone, Dr. Potdome and Wally following to help them? PAJAMAS. JERK OFF BEFORE YOU close behind) Exit Rowena, returning presently with the Diana — Sure. Send them in. Two men, two KNOCK OFF.” Was that romantic? two women. women, one man, one woman, a woman Dr. Potdoine — Wally liked it. CURTAIN and a man, it’s all the same to us. That’s Dr. Uustgarten - That’s another thing. Now Mrs. Underhill — (to Diana) Miss Taylor, is your business. One thing we can’t give that you mentioned Wally I think I it true that we can have children of our you, though, is a daughter. You would ought to tell you someting. That man’s ACT III SCENE II own . . . together? have to borrow a chromosome from A business office. A huge sign on the wall been hitting the button a little too much Diana — As easy as falling off a log. We take somebody, a woman or a man. reads: THE INCUBATOR. Underneath the lately. Comitrg in with rings under his an egg cell from each of you and fertilize Mr. Miller — I want a son. (Jumps around sign is a banner which says: BREED BY eyes. Maybe we should get a new sales one egg with the nucleus of the other excitedly) I can’t wait to get started on THE BOOK AND LEAVE THE FUSS TO manager. egg. Nothing to it. this! US. Diana, in laboratory coat, is sitting at Dr. Potdome — But Wally’s been our sales Rowena — (to the women) You think you Diana — Then come along with me and 111 the desk examining entries in a notebook. manager ever .since we fired off this got problems. Did you see that man out register you at the clinic. Enter Rowena, in laboratory coat, running. rocket and you’ve got to admit it was a their walking the floor? He wants to be a successful .shot. mother. There's a knotty one. Exit Diana and Mr. Miller. Rowena — Guess what! READI-MATE has Dr. Uustgarten — He got us off the ground Diana — (to the women) If you’ve really all right but (pointing to the graph on gone under! made up you minds that this is what you CURTAIN the wall) how do you explain that? Diana — (without looking up) Serve ’em want to do . . . Dr. Potdome - Our new campaign will pick right. Mrs. Hawthorne — We do want children, ACT HI SCENE III Rowena — (hesitating) Er . . . Diana . . . us up. Miss Taylor, more than anything else in Diaruj’s apartment. A suitcase is open on Now that Irma is available . . . the sofa. Enter Diana from the back with a Diana — What you’re trying to say is that the world. Enter Wally running. pile o f clothes which she begins folding and Irma is out of work and looking for a job. Diana — Then I’ll send you to the clinic for a preliminary examination. Rowena, stacking in the suitcase. The doorbell rings. Wally — (gasping) Gentlemen! Rowena — She’s proved herself, knows the show them the way, and while you’re She goes to the door. Enter Rowetta. Gentlemen! . . . ropes. IS desert inside, dust where I should be after things while I’m gone, (goes to the Diana - Yes, we have. green, winter where 1 should be spring, I door, turns around) I’ll be l»aek. (goes Rowena - WhatTI 1 do while you’re away? can’t hear my own music anymore. out the door) Diana — You’ve got lots of friends, Rowena - Thai’s what’s wrong with every­ Rowena, you don’t need me. body, Diana. They can’t hear their own Rowena looks at the keys in her hand, Rowena - It’s not like you think it is. The music anymore. When you can’t enjoy tosses them into the air and catches them, scene’s changed. We’ve all joined Sex- being yourself, you haven’t got anything. smiles to herself. hoUcs Anonymous. I guess that’s why people cha.se around Diana - 1 don’t believe it! so much. I’lNAL CURTAIN Rowena - Yep. We’ve decided that assing Diana — (fastening the suitcase) 1 gue.ss so. around is no way to get through to Rowena — I’ll see you to the station. people. This is no joke, Diana. People are Diana — I’d rather go alone, if you don't (fkilda Chase is a l\ew York Itased changing. That campus revolt that the mind, (picking up the suitcase) I’ll drop feminist and writer. She luis appeared authorities couldn’t put down, that’s you a line from time to time. Goodbye, in THU t.ADDHR in the ¡uist. This is only a symptom of a much deeper Rowena. the first appearance o f her play, lie transformation. People are tired of sex, Rowena — Take care of yourself. are honored to he able to bring it to tired of being mechanical toys, sexual Diana — (tossing Rowena her keys) Ix)ok you.) automatons. They’re remembering that they’ve got souls. Diana - That sounds funny, coming from you. Political Theology or Practical Government Rowena - I’m not the rag you think I am. By RITA LAPORTE Really, Diana, I’ve got feelings. I utopia wherein everyone is properly fed and Diana — I’m glad, for your sake. hou.scd, everyone is educated, and no one is Rowena — Someday you may be able to see It is definitely IN to be a revolutionary. oppressed. How can one be ¡igainst this? the good side of me. I’m going through Rowena - (catching sight o f the suitcase) (Though, now that Nixon has preempted a process of purification to wash away It i.s difficult to argue with the pur­ Well, what’s this little drama on tlic the word, perhaps it has lost some of its the grime that hides rny true luster. veyors of this dreamy utopian amalgam, for sofa? glow.) The revolutionary’s dream indeed, (Diana chuckles) Don’t laugh at me, it is a faith, a faith of religious dimensions, Diana — I’m packing. bringing to mind the brave defense of the Diana, I’m serious. a faith that I shall call Marxianity. .And I do Rowena - You didn’t say anthing about a barricades and aristocratic heads rolling off Diana — (staring at Rowena fixedly) 1 do not mean merely by way of analogy with trip. the guillotine into a basket. Even the cold believe you are. Chri.stianity, for Marxianity is a fully re­ Diana - The urge came over me suddenly and starvation of Valley Forge evoke glam­ ligious phenomenon, compli'lc with hier­ to get away, to the mountains, the Alps Rowena — Strike me dead, if I’m not. In SA we’re trying to restore in ourselves the orous reveries. With no worthy war in sight, archy, warring sects and Inquisition. Two maybe, away. the revolutionary can still dream of sur­ centuries ago the war between Cliri.stians Rowena — Away from what? capacity for innocent and spontaneous affection, for genuine friendship. We rounding Washington, of taking over the was still in full force, with the Protestants Diana — Everything, the machines, you, Pentagon after a glorious battle, and finally in France persecuted and under heavy civil what we’ve made of ourselves. repudiate sex and are sworn to celibacy until wc are able to invest our sexuality of sitting before the three network tele­ disabilities and the Catholics in England Rowena - What are you talking about, vision cameras and proclaiming the victory .similarly persecuted. During that century , Diana? The shit i.s passed. We’ve got purely in loving and lasting relationships without illusion, exploitation, or power of the people to 2fl0 million adoring the 18th, the voice of V'oltaire reached something worthwhile going now. The masses. There he is, lord and ruler of a great throughout Europe and the .American colo­ war between the sexes is over, women plays. I know it sounds silly, but in our way we’re seeking after righteousness. and powerful country. It is best to end the nies to win the battle for religious toler­ are Uberated from men, children are dream of glory right here and begin over ance. Unforeseen by him or the many liberated from women, the person is Diana - (amazed) Rowena, why didn’t you tell me this before? again, for after victory he will be faced with others who (diampioned religious tolerance, liberated from functions, love is libera­ the miserable and unglamorous task of was the vacuum left behind in the minds ted from sex, women no longer hate and Rowena — (shrugging) I knew you’d just laugh at me. reform. and hearts of people, a vacuum now being fear their bodies, people arc learrdng to Revolutionaries will keep such dreams filled by political intolerance. Atheism is love one another again with purity of Diana - I’m not laughing. Rowena — Maybe you’ll even get to like me to themselves. But what we hear is almost difficult, for human nature has a strong heart. We’ve brought about the only as absurd. We must destroy capitalism, urge to worship. Marx now lakes the place genuine .social revolution in history. someday. Diana — Maybe 1 will. engage in the class war, support the people of Jesus; Lenin and others are the new Diana — I know that. I’m not complaining, of North Vietnam (why not South Vietnam disciples; perhaps Stalin is the new ,Sl. Paul, 1 just want to get away. Rowena — I’ve always loved you, Diana. too is never explained). Wc are given to at least for women who embrace Marxi­ Rowena - To the Swiss mountains where Diana—I guess I’ve always known it. understand that the revolutionary is unself­ anity. Ru.ssian Communism is “Roman you can watch the goats copulating on Rowena — How long do you expect to be ishly for the people, meaning the working Catholic”; Maoism is perhaps the “Luther­ the hUlsidcs. You know what you are, away? class, e.g., blue collar auto workers who anism” of the Reformation; maybe .Social­ Diana? You’re a radical thmker with Diana — A naonth, two months, I don’t earn $20,000 or more a year. Private ism is “Baptist.” Russia, China, and Cuba old-fashioned sentiments. know. property must go, where, we are not told. are theocracies, with their Popes, dogmas, Diana — (grinning) You know me like a Rowena — That’s a long time. Who’ll water Nothing is really explained, but it all .sounds theologians, and the believing ma.s.ses. And, book, don’t you? the plants? Diana — I’m not worried about them. It’s great if one avoids thinking. We are led by a as with the Catholic Church from the Rowena - We’ve been through a lot toge­ series of cliches and slogans to envision a begirming of its rule, there are the inevitable ther, D. my own thirst that’s killing me. I’m a heretics. The Soviet purges of the ’30’s arc board. This board hires a president, who, man has left is his wife. Why are there still curious. These were men who were initially history’s greatest Inquisition, Stalin over­ even if he owns no GM stock, wields much women interested in Marxianity, so dated prisoners like the rest, hut who found shadowing Torquemada. The Church for power. He hires other top management and male an approach to social problems? identity and a means of survival not only in centuries discouraged Ihe education of the employees who acquire considerable power Unfortunately women have always been imitating Ihe SS, but in outdoing them. masses and proscribed the Bible to laymen. too. But they do not own the company. great supporters of male faiths and male Needless to say the Kapos were more hated The Soviet Curia today persecutes its The union has power in Ihe company, not gods. than the SS by the other prisoners. heretical authors as dangerous to the purity only through its power to strike, but This is an extreme anal<^ but I feel of the creed. ,\nd of course it is right to do through its ownership of company stock. It II that psychologically it is appropriate. There so. The success of Voltaire is ample evi­ gets very complicated, with no one owning are many Kapo women: all those women dence that thought and reason in time GM in the sense that one owns one’s I came by a small pamphlet, THE who in one way or another arc in league destroy the bigotries of faith. toothbrush. The government too has a POLITICS OF WOMEN’S LIBERATION with men and who embrace their slavery Let us look more closely at Marxianity measure of power over GM through corpor­ TODAY, put out by Pathfinder Press, N.Y. with fervor. There are degrees of Kapo-ism in the year 153 .'VM (Anno Marxi) or 1971 ation law, labor law, and its contracts. If 1970, which is Ihe press of the Socialist and much of it is in no way vicious. There AD. hirst, the destruction of capitalism. the “people,” i.c., the government, were to Workers Party (SWP). It is by Mary-Alice are many women who have made it in the True believers never define this word. It is, “own” G.M, all this power would be more Waters, now Editor of MILITANT, an SWP man’s world and then wonder why all the we gather, evil incarnate - the Devil. Pure concentrated. But the government itself organ. The Young Socialist Alliance is a rest of us cannot. There are also Kapo capitalism begati to take on meaning during borrows money from bankers as well as branch or an arm of SWP and it is the women who come out squarely against the rise, in 18th century F.ngland, of the from ordinary citizens and it would find young women in this organization who have women’s liberation. And there are Kapo Industrial Revolution when one or a few itself a partial owner of GM at best. GM been causing heated controversy in various women who to some extent do recognize men could gather together capital, ma­ would .still have to be run by some kind of women’s liberation groups in Boston, lavs the oppression of women, but who do not chines, and labor at a cost determined by a management and it is questionable whether Angeles, and Vancouver, etc. These con­ sec themselves as part of that group. They laissez-faire approach to the demands of the a government bureaucracy would be an troversies aroused my curio.sity as to arc generally Marxists of some .sort and sec market plare. It was great for the small and improvement. And what would this redistri­ exactly what it was all about. Mary-Alice women a.s just another underdog group that growing middle classes. The horror of it all bution of “ownership” mean to the lowly Waters has cleared up the matter. She is they can exploit in the furtherance of their was not generally apparent until the 19th janitor who sweeps the floor? what is called, in the women’s movement, a faith. Ms. Waters is such a one. la:t us look century when Socialist thinkers, building Let us look at a less complicated form Politico. That is, she sees the women’s at what she has to say. upon 18th century thought, bestirred gov­ of private properly, one’s car. Many corpor­ movement as a useful tool in promoting her As many of you know, Marxianity is ernments into reform. Gradually, all too ations and some individuals have come to faith, in this case. Socialism or that sect of based on the not-to-be questioned dogma gradually it seems in retrospect, pure Capi­ the conclusion that it is no more costly and Marxianity that .split off from the Com­ that capitalism is static and unchangeable or talism disappeared. England today is in far less bother to rent one’s car. The munist Party in the ’30’s. Throughout her unreformable and that it must be over­ many ways a Socialist country and it got annoying responsibilities of outright owner­ pamphlet she speaks of “We” and “Our” as thrown via a class war before a more just there without the misery and destitution ship remain in the hands of the company against women’s liberation. “The potential society is pos.sible. All facts must be fit into every violent revolution causes. Sweden is that rents it out: insurance, licensing, ser­ exists for the development of a mass this article of faith, however weird the so .^cialist today that its little Socialist vicing, and repairing. Or take homeowning. women’s liberation movement, and one of resulting logic. Women’s liberation “is party is at loose ends. The United States is The typical homeowner has a small equity our key responsibilities . . .” and, “Our potentially as important to the American still lagging in Socialist reforms, but it is a in a house and lot. He has, let us .say, a job is to be part of the vanguard of the revolution as the radicalization of Afro- far cry from pure capitalism. WTien even principle of $20,000 yet to pay off, which women’s liberation struggle . . .’’and, “We American and other national minorities and Nixon is forced to propose .some form of will actually amount to more like 130,000 want the women’s liberation movement to the youth.” (Italics mine) Damn nice of Ms. universal medical care and tiptoes around a when the interest is included. Even when, in fight for basic demands . . .” and, “We Waters to think that 53% of llie population guaranteed annual income for all, the old 25 years or so, he has it all paid off, he support these organizations [i.e., separate may be as important as 9% (black males). swashbuckling capitalism .\dam Smith had must still pay “rent” (taxes) to the state or women’s organizations! and we help to She is happy that women’s liberation is free in mind and our 19th Century robber county or lose the place. In the meantime build them. We are in favor of them of “established leaderships which must be barons so enjoyed, is a puny capitalism things fall apart, the plumbing fails, the restricting their membership to women bypassed, few conservative ‘authorities’ to indeed. So much for that bugaboo. roof leaks, the paint peels and our happy . . .” (Italics mine) Who is this “We?” The be exposed.” I see in her a conservative Now, what about private property? homeowner gets further in debt. He has .Socialist Workers Party, of course. authority. Marxianity ha.s been around a long time and so far has done no more for Once upon a time bishops and feudal lords little control over property taxes and he I am less kind to Politicos than most women than has orthodox Christianity and owned va.st tracts of land. Later, when may find himself assessed for sidewalk women for I call them “Kapos.” “Kapo” is perhaps less. All male movements are in one capitalist enterprises were still relatively improvement or he may find his little plot the name given to tliose inmates of Hitler’s sense conservative for they mean to con­ small, individuals or small groups of indi­ condemned by eminent domain pro­ concentration camps who became trusties serve the supremacy of the male. No male viduals owned factories outright. And then ceedings. Nor can he do what he wishes and put the SS officers in charge of the can be as truly revolutionary as a woman, these corporations grew and grew. Who with his own land. He is hemmed in by a camps to shame in the matter of cruelty for he can find no inspiration in becoming owns General Motors today? 1 do not really host of zoning laws. He may decide that and brutality. The Kapos were extremely an auxilary to the women’s revolution. know. Legally it is owned by its stock­ renting has its virtues after all, especially if useful to the SS in providing discipline and Only as he sees himself leading can he find holders, but a small stockholder owns only his heavily mortgaged house was in the path greatly reducing the number of SS deployed the thrill needed to spur him on. And .so a right to dividends if some are declared. A of the Los Angeles earthquake. Well, we can to the rear lines of the concentration with his Kapo women. large stockholder or consortium of stock­ still own our furniture, our pots and pans, camps. Bruno Bettelheim, in THE IN­ holders holds power in the company, the and our books. But even these items can FORMED HEART; AUTONO.MY in a Ms. Waters approves the independence power to place its man (it's always a man, become burdensome when one has to move. MASS AGE, 1960, studied Kapos at first of women’s liberation and says “its fate is and recently a black one) on the governing Perhaps the only real private property a hatrd, finding the phenomenon at first not directly (Italics hers) dependent on the years at an accelerating rate. The old, static evolution of other struggles.” I'he impli- abolition of capitalism is a precondition there existed the exploitation of women by dogmatic principles of Marxianity no longer eation is that women’s lilieration is in- (Italics hers) for the total emancipation of men in all classes. The wealthy female lived fit as the static categories of old time (lireetly de|>enHent on her dogma. And she women.” A few sentences later she says, in gilded, idle splendor — a plaything of Christian theology no longer apply. The is worried l)eeause she knows that the “The oppression of women is older than conspicuous consumption, proof of the lordly male’s success. The poor woman not Left, Old and New, all those groups vaguely Demoeratie and Kepubliean parties will try virtually every other form of exploitation only had to slave long hours for less pay denominated The Movement, are living in to “rapture its |women’s liberation] re- and bondage. It is older than slavery, than her man, but was the only property he the past. To be a respected member of this ■soiirees and energies, and divert the move­ racism, national oppression.” How can the could knock around and exploit. I can youthful, revolutionary mystique one must ment from an independent, mass artion.’ abolition of something that had nothing to imagine a society where the distribution of hate the middle and upper classes and wear "We can be sure, for instance, that the do with something else cause that some­ wealth is hopelessly unjust, but male one’s slum background like a badge. One ('ommiinist Party will try to turn the thing else to disappear? How can the abolition of a capitalism that postdates the supremacy is non-existent; I can imagine a must engage in old-fashioned prejudice based movement it» this direetion.” No wonder on grouping according to the circumstances oppression of women by thousands of years utopia of sorts where all men are treated .she can be sure; she is out to capture the of their birth and not upon any charac­ magically end that oppression? with justice, but women are hopelessly women's movement for the SW'P, Many teristics they have as individuals. That i.s, if The trouble of course is the dogma of oppressed. 1 have tried to see what con­ women now eorning into women’s libera­ one’s parents were and are well off, one is class society, an oversimplified, single- nection there might be between the oppres­ tion are coming directly and not via SDS or sion of the worker and the oppression of the enemy and without further ado one Civil Rights groups. .So far, she say, the layered view of class. Whatever the class woman. My conclusion is that uncon­ must be hated. If one has a poor back­ Communist Party does not seem "to be set.up of a particular society, however great sciously Marxists apply male supremacy no ground, poor cnotigh to qualify one as a turning ai\y real forces toward the vanguard the disparity between the top, wealthy, less than all other men. In reasoning that member of the elect revolutionaries, but women's lilwration movement.” But “uie oppressive aristocracy and the bottom, half the means of production should be in the one is no longer young and has made it into orient our work towards the independent starved, miserable workers, the women at hands of The People, they conclude that a profession, one must be haled. It is all .so forces in the movement, thosi' who . . . every level are oppressed. Society cannot be ridiculously male, all a matter of underdog pictured in single layers, for every layer is a women, as one means of production — the are not yet attached to any of the different males against males with more [x>wer. double one; underneath every layer of men production of babies - must likewi.se be in political tendencies . . . Ifi- try to reach Women can scurry around in this web of them at their present level of compre­ is a layer of women. The women at the very the hands of The People. No longer is one man to be allowed to own one woman. The male power plays as best they can, as token hension and understanding. . . . Our bottom of all arc so occupied with a Kapo women, or as groupies. “The women’s miserable struggle to keep themselves and People, that is, the State, are to own this orientation . . . is guided by the same liberation movement as a whole . . . can concepts that are fundamental to our work their children alive that they can hardly be particular means of production, along with and will be an ally of the working class in in everv developing arena of struggle.” expected to concern themselves with, or the others. 1 venture that most women will the (good old] struggle to abolish the (Italics mine). This explains clearly what even notice, that they are still lower than not find this much of an improvement. On capitalist system.” (Vis. Waters again). So, tlie women of .‘'WP/Y S.\ are up to and why the men just above them. The difference the contrary, women today are fighting my fellow Lesbians and all you women who they infiltrate women’s liberation group.«, between women and men at so crushed a hard for their (ffivate capitalism — the either do not wiwk for pay or who are in causing them to split apart into those who level is more theoretical than real. When ownership of their own bodies, their own the professions, your place in society is to accept the f aith and those who know that one is starving one has no time for the means of production. They do not want help the working man. A woman teacher the women’s revolution is the only truly niceties of psychological (»ppression. This is any man. The People, or the State managing who earns $10,000 a year and who, at the radical revolution the world has yet seen. one reason why the women’s movement is their bodies. Women are basically capitalists age of 30 can hope for no further advance­ And notice Ms. Waters' patronizing tone. powered so much by middle class women in this very personal sense. Each woman ment must apply herself to furthering the The vast numbers of ns women in all walks and college graduates. But to think that wants and should have the right to do with fortunes of a male plumlier who now earns of life who do not look to Moscow or women at the very top, the wealthy wives her body as she wi;dies. She does not want $20,000 a year but who is not yet top man. Peking or Havana or Hanoi for .salvation of corporation executives, do not suffer to be a means of production regulated by There is a callousness and opportunism must Iv coaxed gently out of our naivete oppression exhibits an ignorance I cannot the State nor a means of sexual relief for in all this raving about clasis warfare and the and ignorance. fathom. Mental oppression can be more the men who run the State. destruction of our present soi:iety. “The Ms. Waters u.ses a time-honored rhetori­ destructive of a person, of sanity, than the It is part of the Leftist credo that our abortion issue has a built-in appeal to cal ploy to put us idiots on the spot. .She physical kind. The lower class husband who present society must be destroyed. What is millions of men and women, which makes it gives us tw'o and only two choices: slugs his wife may do her less harm than the alt this ‘destroy’ about? Saturation H- upper class hu,sband who daily and slyly bombing of the United States would do it. possible to build an action-oriented mass ■whether the struggle is to abolish capi­ movement.” 1 get the impression that The talism as a precondition to women's liber­ undermines his wife’s personhood. This is But then what would we use for people to not to .say that many women would not establish Socialist utopia? The growth of Movement is the be-all and end-all, rather ation, or whether the goal is to reform than the alleviation of suffering and poverty men.” .Since we know that women’s liber­ choose wealthy (»neubinage to the miseries our technological society has pretty well and the building of a pluralistic society of poverty. destroyed the rural, agricultural society of ation is not organized to set up schools for where individuals find an ever widening 1 have tried to discover what lies behind yore, but without revolution. Medical men. that presumably leaves us willi no choice of belief, expression and life style. the notion that, though the oppression of advances, contraceptive devices, and the Pill choice but to join the class struggle. The The self-styled leaders of The .Movement women far anti-dates capitalism, the des­ have freed women from endless preg­ dogma i.s of course, that “women’s oppres- (which, in my di.sgust, I call The Bowel truction of capitalism will do away with nancies. And no revolution. But what do we .sion is rooted in ela.ss .society.” Then Ms. Movement) are Caesar types who envision male supremacy, (jpitalism, as it no longer mean by ‘revolution?’ Either we mean the Waters begins to falter. .She admits that themselves as rulers of the world. It is to this “ male chauvinism and the oppression of exists, i.e., in its pure state, permitted the good old barricades violence, a male coup end that they must scheme to harness the women have very deep historical roots that wealthy few to exploit with unbelievable d’d'tat, or we mean evolution speeded up energy of the masses. From Alexander the are nurlurpd (not caused, you will note] cruelty the mass of workers it required to well beond the creeping pace of biological Great to Augustus Caesar to Napoleon to and sustained by the capitalist system.” evolution. This latter type of revolution is produce goods. But side by side with this Hitler to tcxlay’s puny Movement leaders I'rom this it follows in her mind that “the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy. and has been going on for a few hundred was when the great Egyptian, Persian, and another pawn in the age-old male power pay and pay raises for thousands of working nins an unchanging thread. Roman Empires held sway. I'he world is game, what should it be? It must be women. Others concentrate on the repeal of Now, let us assume that capitalism is now, in effect, ju.st one empire. But politics something altogether new, a sharp break in abortion laws, for the right of women to destroyed and Socialism rules supreme and or the art of governing is still little advanced the course of history. Every individual (ontrol Iheir own bodies (apparently all wc have just one class (which takes consid­ from the days of those ancient empires. Wc feminist is a little revolution in herself. In Marxian .sects still permit one to own one’s erable imagination in view of the vast have talked a lot in the last two centuries of her refusal to kow-tow to the master sex, bcnly, a prop<'rty right that disappears only differences 'o f intelligence, creativity, the separation of (ihuri li and State, but all she is upsetting, destroying, if you will, a after the revolution when it becomes clear ambition and good will among human government is still a mi.serable mixture of bit of our society. The Lesbian knows all that citivens exi.st for the sake of the State beings). What is to cause the double layer, religious myth and .secular power. Often a about this, has for thousands of years, but, only). There are hundreds of arenas for the the male layer with the female layer under­ government is more concerned almut en­ without the help of her sisters, she could joint action of feminists, all reform activity, neath, to merge into one layer? No one has and for any of us to think we .should forcing some religious precept than in explained this to me. .\nd so I imagine the carry on only in private. Now more and tackling the urgent needs of its people. This more women, gaining strength and courage postpone all these battles until some nebu­ classless society under Socialism to consist j is clear in the debate over the repeal of from each other, are moving in the direc­ lous revolution is won, until Ms. Waters and of just two layers, the merging of all the 1 abortion laws, for example. The Churches tion of a real change in society, one at least her cohorts are in power, is to live in a other double layers that exist under wicked | are permitted to lobby against such repeal, as important as the change from nomadic dreamworld of theory and rhetoric. An capitalism. And, though this may be a as though government should have the right hunting and gathering societies to agricul­ under paid working woman wants her just considerable improvement — at least in tbe to curtail abortion. I’he Chiirehes may tural ones. This is not a violent revolution pay now, nol in the future; a domestic abolition of poverty — as a woman and preach to their hearts’ content against in the usual sense of bloodshed, but it wort. go first, but male supremacy. It is not "our their desks in front of typewriters and revolution that I am told to have faith in. the female children of families on Welfare party . . . which is responsible for and calculating machines and where 4 or 5 men riic Church taught for centuries that we under whatever nam<‘. can look lorward up front in their translucent glass enclosed must lead our work in the women’s liber­ living ones should wait for our reward in only to marrying Uncle isam and breeding ation movement”, but the women’s move­ cubicles have charge of all those women. Heaven. Now Marxists tell us wc should for him as a means of earning money. ment which must lead in the creation of a Imagine that, not only the Lesbians but all wait for their victory^ W'omen’s liberation Nixon’s guaranteed income lor a family o( the women on that floor treat those men as new .society, one that can and does incor­ cannot wait. four is apt to be a family of one mother and porate the visions of both Christiamty and equals, refuse to play the asinine games of three children. “femininity,” refuse to giggle when their Marxianity. But let us not fall into the error IV Religion today is still utd'amiliar with of thinking that the women’s revolution is behinds are pinched, refuse to flirt when the idea that women are pr-ople. And the men leer and make their tiresome .sexual in any way a religious movement. It is not a ■Socialist, as well as Christian, thought government obeys Religion meekly. Though putdown jokes. Imagine the men’s frus­ mailer of religion, however religious indi­ anti-dated Christ by many centuries, but Socialism, the iilea thal wealth should be tration and fear and the vicious small boy vidual women may lie. It is a most practical, both have la-en more honored in the distributed for the henelit of all. is a very behavior to which they will stoop. “You’re down to earth, revolution to be carried out Itrcach. Empires came and went, maintained old idea, history, up to the Kith century, all a bunch of Lesbians”. And the women in many ways and at the human level. There always by some form of despoti.sm and by a has no record of anyone .speaking of ignore this or smile condescendingly. It is a are no articles of faith to guide us, other priestly class that enforced morality of equality between the sexes. The earliest sad picture in some ways. The men may than a firm belief that women are human sorts via a punishing and rewarding religion mention of this I know of is in I î 89 when have mental breakdowns before they learn beings, every bit as much so as men. There liased U [K > n myth and superstition. These Fraiujais Bois.«cl in (Mtechism tiu genre is no political party today that can possibly the hard lesson. humain said that |lo quote Will and Ariel This is one aspect of women’s liberation, empires crumbled mainly bccau.se outside preempt or co-opt those of us who are real their boundaries existed vigorous “barbar­ Durant in Rousseau and Revolution, | feminist-s, tho.se of us who are tired of but there are many others. For all the while “Properly, marriage, and religion have been reform - that dirty word - is going on. ians” who sooner or later swept into the supporting male games of musical power empire to expropriate its wealth. Only in invented to legitimize usurpation, violence Individual feminists must fight from where chairs and sec that women’s time has come our own time has it become possible to and deceit . . . Marriage is private property they stand and with the talents and skills to lead humanity. It is not simply a view the world as one — there are no in women.” Yes, this anti-dates Marx and they possess. Some fight for the Equal question of throwing off our chains, of barbarous peoples left to challenge the Engels by quite a few years. The 18th Rights Amendment to the Constitution. acquiring our rights, but of taking our e-xisting nations (or empires). We have century, in Europe, was the first one in Whether we win it or not, many women are responsibility for a society that men alone instant communication with every part of history to question religion on a grand .scale can no longer govern. forced to think. Whether we even want it or the globe and some nations can destroy it and to make its questioning fell. But it was not, we can all point to the fact that so far overnight. The pollution caused by one still only a beginning and we are today very none of us is protected by the American industrial complex spreads everywhere. The much bogged down in our religious heri­ males’ constitution. Some women fight for world is a very different place from what it tage. Our whole legal structure is an expre.s- If women’s lilnTation is not to be just our rights through the courts, gaining back where the animals and plants of the world with which to confront male government pendent persons. The recognition of Les­ sion of religion, of heterosexual relations, flourish in their natural habitat, where the and there are those who would, at all cost, bianism as every bit as valid as hetero­ of man's property in woman and w'hat he earth is a veritable Garden of Eden. 1 can sweep Lesbians under the carpet. sexuality is crucial to the women’s move­ like,s to call his children. Hut what has all ment, not because all women may harbor imagine this if I remove from the earth all Betty Friedan and NOW fit the latter this to do with government? Government the seeds of Lesbianism deep within (as human beings. At the peak of our techno­ category. Despite Aileen Hernandez’ recent should concern itself with individuals, with some theories have it), but to make it clear logical development, we all commit hara- statement of support for “homosexuality”, providing them witli the necessities of life to all women that they are fully human kiri, and the earth will be beautiful. and those luxuries the people’s industry- is she too prefers to say that one’s sexual without reference to men. Few women What we have now is a planet full of able to provide. The many and varied orientation (as though it were merely a today have any choice in the matter. They human beings. We have produced a few matter of sex) should not exclude one from relationships that individuals engage in is are forced into heterosexuality, marriage, saints, but most of us arc riddled with none of the government’s bu.siness. Our NOW and that closes the matter, sweeps it and subjection to the male. The male is still faults. We had better be practical and back under the carpet. Poor Betty Friedan Constitulion and laws should concern them­ the only recognized measure of humanity; proceed on the theory that these faults will selves with persons. That it must also - if she only knew how closely she has the Lesbian too is a measure of humanity, be with us for a long time to come. concern itself wilh groups of persons based worked with Lesbians to make of NOW a though as yet unrecognized. Women, like Indulging in games of political theology will upon meaningful elas.sification is no political force. For NOW consists of straight poor Betty, who fear the male and must not solve our problems. To theorize about counter-argument. We now give special con­ women scared to death of Lesbians and constantly appease him by assuring him she humanity is an enjoyable armchair occu­ sideration to the blind and the elderly and Lesbians scared to death that Betty may cannot live a full life without him, are pation for some intellectual types, but to to children. Either a per.son qualifies for find out. Betty herself is fittin g for all she pathetic. Only when a woman realizes she is take it seriously Is to dehumanize us all. We inclusion in one of these groups or she (he) i.s worth for the continuing triumph of not dependent upon a male for authenti­ are not little atoms of life to be manipu­ docs not. Whether she lives with a man or heterosexuality. As long as the heterosexual cation can she choose one freely if she finds lated by philosophical chess players. While men and her children, or .someone else’s way of life is touted as superior, we will her nature to be heterosexual. Women who millions of Chinese may worship, or appear children, or wilh a woman and their have to contend with male supremacy and fear Lestnanism arc in prison. They can free to worship. Chairman Mao, millions will children, or alone .should be no concern to the oppression of women. themselves from their incarceration only if never do so. In the United States we have government. This has led some women, including they see nothing superior in hetero­ an abundance of divergent religions, in­ Many women in women’s liberation misguided Lesbians, to think that the old sexuality. It is the compulsively hetero­ cluding Maoism. We are a lucky country in today arc endeavoring to politicize every­ homophile movement or the newer Gay sexual woman today who suffers a terrible that we contain a vast pluralism — all the thing. I think they have the matter upside Liberation .Movement is important. They do psychological constriction. We must move ideas that humanity has as yet developed. down. They are, rightly, pointing out the not realize that the male homosexual is to a society that cares not whether its We have the best opportunity to divorce political nature of marriage, family and the fighting for his place among male hetero­ children grow up to be heterosexual or theology from government. If government relations between the sexes, but what they sexuals. He wants the same respect and homosexual, whether they have blue eyes is not to impose upon all what some are pointing out is what has been the status that The Man now has. By and large, or brown. There is no freedom in hetero­ powerful segment of the population situation since time immemorial. Human male homosexuals are the most backward sexuality unless there is freedom to be believes, what is to be the function of element in the fight for human rights. And relation-s have la-en political for .so long that Lesbian. government? this .sorry state of affairs has gone un­ Lesbians are the most forward element. I lousekeeping. There is nothing left on noticed. The first step is to point out how Women’s liberation cannot proceed very far our planet to coru]uer. Humanity has spread political the suffering of every woman is. if limited by the ancient religious belief that itself everywhere. There are a few corners But the goal. I submit, is eventually to only heterosexuality is to be condoned. Unlike a primitive hunting and gathering left that may in time be turned to good use, Heterosexuality was raised to divine propor­ remove jK-rsonal relations from the province society, our civilized, technological society such as Antarctica, but in the main the of polities, from government. Adults, tions in pre-history so that men could have requires many skills, some very advanced. world has .shrunk into a finite and not very w hether living licterosexually, homo- ownership in the children that sprang from Human beings are not interchangeable, we large home for us all. His-story is for all scxually, or singly, should receive the same the ova they fertilized. The male is going to are not clay that can be molded into any practical purjioscs over. Armies of men treatment. . have to face, as he did in the dim past, that machine part. Some of us are better than since the dawn of recorded history have In primitive societies the concept of the it is women who give birth to children and others at particular jobs or professions. conquered, killed, and pillaged, to the glory individual did not exist. One was part of that his part in the affair, from a psycho­ Some of us are better able to manage the of the likes of Alexander, Attila, Genghis one’s tribe or clan. Property, including logical point of view, is sexual rather that means of production, the finances, the legal and Kubla Khan, and Najiolcon, The seren­ one’s property in oneself, was communally procreative. The insistance upon hetero­ intricacies necessary to run our complex dipitous result of all this male vigor and owned. With the advance of civili-zation sexuality as the only valid life style will society than are others. Some of us will female exhaustion in pregnancy has been certain individuals desired more. They effectively keep women tied to men, continue to gamer a greater share of the the spread of humanity and civiliz-ation over desired an area of privacy, an inner life of though organizations such as NOW will help gross national product than others. A the entire globe. In their unchecked march their own. The lime is now come when the to alleviate the grosser injustices against society that tries to give equal material to glory men have invented “better and area of privacy allolcd to persons must be women. But, no matter how much progress reward for unequal contribution will not better” weapons and we now face the expanded. Government must be forced out will be made by NOW’s reform measures, last long. The trouble is we human beings. I possibility of almost instant destruction of of many areas. WTiether one thinks of this ultimately women will need men to affirm can imagine a perfectly functioning world our home, the earth. It is time now that as political activity or a .sort of political their personhood if they insist upon the of machines and computers, where the women curb male destructiveness. Women anti-political activity, makes little dif­ sacredness of heterosexuality. Only by ac­ streams and the air are pure, where the know a great deal more about homemaking ference. It is activity that women must cepting Lesbianism as a fully valid way of production of power, oil and electricity than do men and what is the proper engage in together. And here we have a life can all women free themselves from take place without contamination, where province of government except home­ wide spectrum of thought. There are those male definition. Once so freed, they can the manufacture of autos, refrigerators, making on a vast scale? women who would use Lesbians as political then enter into a heterosexual relationship, washing machines, etc., runs without error. Government as it must be in the future, pawns, as the expendable front line troops if they so choose, as authentically inde­ human beings to acquire and to live by is as it should be now, is better run by wiomen Every woman who is dissatisfied with worshipping their own and other men’s that attitude that welcomes human than by men. Govcrnmenl’s task should be the inferior status of women will have to nonexistent superiority, social changes diversity. We do not have to approve of to provide all its citizens with a minimum deeide for herself how and where she can beyond the imagination of political and others’ modes of life, let alone love them, standard of living and the means to develop best help herself and other women. Each theological bigots will take place at all levels to recognize that their right to live is as to their maximum potential. This requires woman must begin where she finds herself of society, from heterosexual bedroom great as ours. I.esbians are given a head start constant vigilance to provide equal oppor­ and with tlie talent and skills she has. We farce to world government. in acquiring this all important attitude for tunity, since human beings are NOT equal cannot lay down priorities for others. We I have my personal definitions of revolu­ they are born (usually) of heterosexual in endowment and talent and the stronger cannot be expected to agree on political tionaries and radicals; a Revolutionary is parents and learn early on to accept the are forever trying to take advantage of the theologies, nor does this matter if we are one who dedicates his (her) life to justice right of heterosexuals to live their life. We weaker. Government is no place for glory doing something to help some particular for all men; a Radical is one who dedicates Lesbians must not despair of teaching our women. There arc those, like Betty Friedan, her (his) life to justice for all human beings. seekers. It requires people dedicated to heterosexual sisters to accept our right to who keep telling us that we are really in the Also, I find that the phrase “women’s keeping the home clean and peaceful, and live our life, for what we were able to learn, women’s movement to free men, that we Uberation" is often a sloppy one, for what to providing the privacy wherein its citizens they too can learn — a tolerance for can find surcease from the day’s harass- wish only to walk two steps behind our the speaker or writer has in mind is “hetero­ diversity. ment.s. Men must not be allowed to abuse men, rather than 10 steps behind. Maybe sexual women’s liberation’’ or HWL. women, heterosexuals must not be allowed this is a clever tactic, part of agc^jld female Perhaps the most difficult attitude for to perscicute Lesbians and homosexuals, disidmulation, but it certainly does not whites must not be allowed to exploit express my reason for being part of the trait of Mad, carried passim throughout blacks, and on and on. It is no part of women’s movement. But then, 1 am a . . . her quiet nobility, competence and government to tell us what we may think Lesbian and my personal priority is simple caring. Very good novel. . . low-keyed but and believe or with whom wc should live, — the liberation of Lesbians. It would be compelling, with one of the most tasteful but it is a part of government to see that no terrible if this were cverywoman’s priority erotic love scenes in Lesbian literature. segment of society attempt to prevent for women are oppres.sed in so many ways. Highly recommended. another from practicing its life style. If the I can do my bit for Lesbians with a clear In answer to questions about how come United Stales cannot learn to live with conscience because 1 know other women DAMON some of the things wc list addres-ses and pluralism, how will the world, our home, arc working in other areas. F.ven all the prices for turn out not to be available . . . ever manage to do so? Men can no longer be women who today are working for well, some of the new publisliing houses arc trusted with their war toys. It is not that oppressed males are accomplishing .some- The Lesbian as heroine . . . in the full hand-to-mouth all women’s oiganizations, men are any worse but that their toys are tiring. The less males oppress each other, sense of the word, romantic, superlative and they don’t always operate efficiently, now too destructive. Men must begin to the more will women come to .see their own . . . We see little enough of this, and it’s a but there is no fraud implied or intended. learn from women. They have been telling oppression. If there is a priority to which .special pleasure to review THE BIRD OF Incidentally, those of you shy of ordering us for eons that our place is to run the we women should address ourselves, it is PARADISE, by Lily Powell, N.Y., Knopf, Elsa Gidlow’s fine collection of Lesbian home and so we will. We will take the reins .simply to help more and more women 1970. For some odd reason no one is poetry, MOODS OF EROS, .sliould go of governments and together begin the great understand that beneath all other oppres­ reviewing this book or talking about it at ahead and do so . , .th e book is available; task of housecleaning the earth, eliminating sions lies their own. all, and it is unusually good plotting and cost is $2.25 including postage. Write Druid war, and redistributing the wealth of our Women’s liberation will be nothing if it excellent writing. No accounting for taste Heights Press, 685 Caminodcl Canyon, Mill home more equitably. does not recognize that it must lead, that and that includes reviewers. The narrator- Valley, California 94941. This is a grand dream, but one we the oppression of women is fundamental to author is the daughter of an American HELL HOUSE, by Richard Matheson, should keep in the backs of our minds. In all other oppressions, and that, until this diplomat, George, married to a French N.Y., Viking, 1971, is limited to those who the meantime we must be practical. We oppression is abolished, no others can be woman. Marguerite, who is THE BIRD OF enjoy very fa.st moving adventure fiction. women, taken all together, have all the effectively cured. But we must not confuse PARADISE . . . Before women’s liberation Primary appeal to mystery, occult and abilities and knowledge that men have and our purpose by imagining that the primary made “bitch” into a lovely word, one science fiction fans. It’s a poor copying of beyond that we have a wider viewpoint of goal of the women’s revolution is to fight would have to have called Marguerite a the basic premise of Shirley Jackson’s mag­ human life. Men can see only themselves poverty or minority oppression, or war. Nor bitch. Surely the narrator tries hard not to nificent THE HAUNTING OF HILL and each other; we can see both women and must wc imagine that the wiping out of the do so . . . but the miserable childhood of HOUSE, to which it owes many debts. A men. Women are not blinded by superiority oppression of women everywhere and in all this young woman speaks for itself. Setting bunch of scientists (real “nuts”) stay in a haunted house to prove it isn I haunted. myths and are not driven to prove the classes will automatically wipe out other is Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Washington in the impossible. The slave is potentially more oppressions. To paraphrase Ms. Waters, the years between the “wars” (WWI and WWTI). Alas, it is haunted . . . but mainly by pulp human than the master for the latter is busy abolition of women’s second class status is A sub-plot concerns us most. Jacques, a fiction of the 1930s, etc. Matheson is fun to maintaining his overlordship. Men do not the pre-condition to the abolition of all family friend aristocrat without money, read, never to be taken seriously, and the understand how devastating it is to one’s other ii^usticcs. “fallen on evil days,” inadvertently provides Lesbian elements are a male version of that fine tension in the Jackson book so aptly humanity (as opposed to one’s manhood) Women who, like our Ms. Waters, a destructive catalyst to the romance of to find oneself blocked by virtue of some require a political theology to give them Madeleine, a cousin of the narrator, arid her created later by Julie Harris and Claire Bloom in the movie version. No compari­ extraneous feature. If men understood this, courage, are women who deep down accept young American Lesbian lover. Mad is the son, but worth a trip to the local library. the men of the various minority movements the myth of the inferiority of women. They most interesting character in the book . . . THE LADDER staff is an army, really would not continue to oppress their own are unable to see, to feel, to know that the Jacques is a close second, and surely he is . . . we are everywhere . . . for coming to women. The minority male has only the inner liberation of women IS the revolu­ among the most sympathetic male charac­ us via a New York City woman who is not a limited vision that, as a male, he should tion. As more and more women learn to ters in literature in too many years to subscriber and cannot be for personal rea­ have equality with the majority male. laugh at the ludicrous spectacle of men count. Most exemplary though is the por­ sons, and via a staff member who lives in Force, division of the Social Responsibili­ the rock of biblic^phy, 1 hate having to Connecticut, we get to read *‘(!limpscs,” a ties Round Table of the American Library damn anyone engaged in the work. There is, |oRDE.F( Of pitTn PUSSY C l ^ l short stor> by jane DeLynn in the PARKS As.sociation (June, 1971). Unfortunately, however, a bibliography out which falls so REVIEW, Numi>er 51, winter, 1071, Gar­ this is going to confuse a lot of readers and far short of being a useful tool, while rtORMAN rWULtR, HON.pftES. den City, N.Y., Doiibleday, 1071. We have may well lead lo some disgruntled male encompa.ssing masses of material, that it is never had lime lo watch the wonderful homosexual purchasers, for the award .states irritating. The book, HOMOSEXUALITY: “WOMAN'S Pi-Kt t5 IN THE HOME/*' proliferation of literary little magazines it is the first annual “Gay Book Award” A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY, by Umesh D. C^Si . , , and we periodically beg for someone and that it was chosen because it is a “book Sharma and Wilfrid C. Rudy, is published addicted to Ihein to provide u.« with data on which presents a positive image of homo- by the Waterloo Lutheran University at m m pertinent titles. This one is a gem . . . a .sexuals.” However, it’s not about homosex­ Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The copyright is marvelous story about a woman in love uals at all but about Le.sbians, and it’s a 1970. To add to the irritation, Mr. Sharma with a woman who settles, albeit sadly, for mu.st book for that audience. and Mr. Rudy bill themselves as librarians. yet another woman . . . nice, under-de­ The French write novels in a style all The work contains a mish-ma.sh of material veloped in all the riglit ways . . . ju.st their own . . . obscure, charming, and seemingly derived from early Donald Web­ “glimp.se.s" of some lives. Recommended defiant. .Suzanne Prou’s MLLE. SAVELLT?, ster Cory and MATTACHINE REVIEW . . . and libraries will have this. N.Y., Harper and Row, 1971, first came out works . . . with a .smattering of checking in Maybe by the time you read this. New in France in 1967, and it has won acclaim the indexes for periodical material. It in­ Y ork and area readers will b<* able to go and for the writer (as have her other novels). It cludes at least 50% of the known male see Harold Pinter’s new play, OLD TIMES. is a sort of novel of suspense . . . without homo.sexual works and probably ,T5% of the The distinguislicd Englisli playwright’s first llic proper denouement. We never really l.esbian titles in every possible area . . . in 6 years is receiving rave reviews in this know what happened to Mile. Savelli, and fiction, drama, poetry, non-fiction of every counlry already, though it is showing in the ? in Ihe title indicates that wc aren’t possible discipline, etc. However, there are London presently. Plot would indicate really even sure she exists. We do know, or errors in listing (including listings of books more than a little interest. Kale and Deeley, wc are told, that she is supposed to lose her under both p.seudonyms and real names A*jD/vow. GIRLS, FOR w/s ivmm's a middle-aged couple, are living in a eon- job in a business through an ob,scure power without cross reference) that clearly indi­ FUteRTAINMENT. OUR CHMPtON struggle with another woman . . . with cate the compilers haven’t read the material verted farmhouse by the sea. awaiting a vi.sit COORY-CUTTE-R M LL sSAVK from Kate’s former roommate, .Anna. As strongly erotic overtones. She is then off to (or much of it) that they are listing . . . soon as Anna arrives, she and Deeley begin live in a weird {tension (a sort of boarding and, apparently, that they performed their m o t h e r V^OMAN in HALF- an introspective battle over the ’’po.sses- liou.se for tourists) presided over by So- function without giving much of a damn sion” of Kate . . . and by the end of the lange, who is beautiful, .suitably mysterious about the outcome. The book is available no way of knowing what her later life might first act it would appear that Anna and and very .sensual. Mile. .Savelli apparently for only 14 and is in large, easy to read have been like. Libraries will have this one. Kate are to be reunited. In the second aet it evades a single pass tentatively thrown in print. If you have no other work in the Missing pertinent short stories seems to develops that, indeed. Deeley has also her direction by Solange, and thereafter is field, it is o-k. Rut that’s about all that can be inevitable until we find some way of known Anna, .separate altogether from his wilnes.s to the events that unfold in the be said for it, for you have no way of reading them all. Various suspicious reviews relationship with Kate and st'parate, loo, petision. Maybe . . . not for the impatient, knowing in looking through it what kind of of ON BEING TOLD HER SECOND HUS­ from Kale’s with Anna. There is a triangular that’s for certain, but if you arc pleased by book you are reading about (not even the BAND HAS TAKEN HIS FIR.ST LOVER relalionsliip . . . but less in the sexual than good writing for its own sake . . . good. general field) and no way of determining AND OTHER STORIES, by Tess SIcsinger, in the st'nse of time. Some of the reviews Brief mention of another very run-of- whether it deals with Lesbians or male N.Y., Quadrangle Books, 1971, sent one would indicate that the male is not the the-mill women’s liberation anthology. This homosexuals or both unless you are already LADDER reader back to this book’s first victor in the philosophical sense (and that one is called UP AGAINST THE WALL, very very well versed in the field. appearance, as TIME: THE PRESENT, will be a change if it is true . . . for this is MOTHER, edited by Elsie Adams and Mary NETOCHKA NEZVANOVA, by Feodor N.Y., Simon and Schuster, I9.'15, there to not a new theme in drama or literature). Loui.se Briscoe, and published by Glencoe Dostoevsky, is an early novel just now discover the story, “The Answer on the Several readers have mentioned the Press of Beverly Hills, California (a division available in English. Ann Dunnigan is the Magnolia Tree.” She writes: “This reeks movie, DAUGHTER OK DARKNES.S, a of Macmillan Company), 1971. Very brief­ translator and Prentice-Hall is to be thanked with sexual tension. Set in an exclusive U.S./Frcnch production. Once again the ly, this is (sadly) directed towards a college for publishing it (1970). Dostoevsky did girls’ school, where any sexuality is forbid­ den, the girls and teachers alike live in la-sbian as vampire is the theme. This is audience and contains at least 75% unnec­ not finish this early work, which he began worlds of fantasy. Plot basically concerns a currently showing around the counlry. Re­ essary material. The good sections are to be in 1846, possibly because his career was girl who .stays out all night With a boy on a views would indicate it’s a large cut above found in the reprints in Parts Two, Three interrupted by internment in Siberia for 10 golf course. As faculty and students discuss the u.sual camp in this sort of thing, but wc and Four . . . and most of these have been years. At age 10 Netochka is left an orphan the event, we are shown touches of their aren't recommending because we haven’t reprinted to death already. The editorial and is taken in by a prince and made a lives. The Lesbian characters include Miss seen . . . stance of the book can best be described by member of his family. She is quite taken Whitson, the housekeeper, described as Isabel Miller’s lovely novel, A PLACE commenting that the eo-editors have writ­ with the young princess Katya. At first ‘neither servant nor teacher,’ who each year KOR US (see THE LADDER, December ten one section to end the book entitled Katya is unkind to Netochka, but soon the chooses a girl to love from afar. But the 69/January 70 for review), was 1969’s mo.st “Man’s Role in Women’s Liberation.” The girls become intimate, sneaking into each strongest scene in the story takes place popular Lesbian title. It is being reprinted bibliography is disgracefully out of date and other’s beds at night. When this relationship between two faculty members who have by McGraw-Hill, 1971, in hardcover for the inadequate in view of what is available. Not is learned of, the Princess is taken away and been roommates for seven years and on this first time. If you haven’t seen this, do do unless you are desperate do you need this Netochka is sent to live with Katya’s older day become aware of their attraction to buy it. The novel has also won the first one. half sister. The novel stops with Netochka each other, though admitting it remains annual award of the Gay Liberation Task Having based some of my lifework on Just reaching early womatihood, so we have impossible.” NOVELS, by Varda One, Los Angeles, labor of love, obviously, though he allows sections of other chapters deal with the 1 KNKW D.\1SY SMUTEN, edited by Every'woman Publishing Co., 1971 (1970). no personal commcnlary to creep into his walkouts by various women from gay lib­ Hunter Davies, N.Y., Coward-McCann, This is available from Everywoman Pubhsh- book. Many critics, including Edmund Wil­ eration to women’s liberation and the sexist 1070, is patterned after the multi-authored ing (a>., 1043B West Washington Blvd., son and Jeannette H. Foster, have indicated attitudes of most of the male homosexual sexy best seller, NAKED CAME THE Venice, California 90291, for $1.10 post­ that they felt Gertrude Stein’s use of workers. For its intended audience, this is a STRANGER. Supposedly seventeen writers paid. But it. Varda One has read about 50 obscure language was a deliberate disguise must book. Donn’s meticulous care in citing from the staff of the London TIMES did of the more major male homosexual titles, and that to do otherwise would have led to sources is to be complimented, though he the writing. It is announced that Daisy is to and she has reviewed them in tenns of how personal ruin in view of her open Lesbian­ erroneously calls THE LADDER “A Les­ marry someone in the royal household, the authors look at women in the novels. ism. Professor Bridgman’s book would tend bian Journal,” which is a subtitle it hasn’t presumedly (iharles. Having led the sort of Reading this was, for me, a bit like being to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt. had since August, 1968. Also, he is guilty of life that would make it unlikely at best that slapped in the face with wet mackerel. I Moreover, his examining eye will make her not citing first sources in many of the Dai.sy would be going to marry anyone in have read and, in fact, own these novels work more easily readable, which is a articles. One example is the Elsa Gidlow the royal household, the plot revolves . . . and hundreds more like them. I blessing. Though familiar with something report on the Bay Area Women’s Coalition, around the efforts of many to keep all who reviewed many of them in years past for the like 7 of her works, including her major which was written for THE LADDER and knew her (literally and figuratively) quiet. MATTACHINE REVIEW and later for Lesbian novel, THINGS AS THEY ARE, appeared in the April/May, 1970, issue, The la^sbian episode is the predictable type TANGENTS (male homosexual magazines). and her short stories that are explicit to before any subsequent appearance. There . . . Daisy is pursued by a man, she in turn I doubt 1 noticed the treatment of women some extent, I readily admit that reading arc at least four other similar cases I noted is pursuing the man’s wife. The obligatory . . . in fact, I am -sure 1 did not. It’s a her requires a discipline I’ve seldom felt like casually, which leads me to suspect there bedroom scene ((Alette did this first and whole new ball game, to use the only using. But using this man’s keys, it will be are possibly others. Little or no credit is best years and years ago) where the man is po.ssible male image that fils. You just do fun to go back through her work. An given to the groups and publieations who cuckholded is ineluded. Daisy is rather not see that you arc oppressed until .some­ interesting point made is that Alice Toklas made po.ssible the change in public opinion rotten and worse, she is a bore. (This review one sticks your oppression under your no.se was a much more important factor in her that allowed the gay liberation movement also contributed by a LADDER reader.) . . . and makes you smell it. The book, as a work than is widely known. It is even likely to flourish. If MATTACHINE and ONE and Everything about the Bloomsbury circle book, is cursory, incomplete, and prefaced that Alice wrote much of her own autobiog- D.O.R. and TANGENTS and SIR and is of some interest in this column. C.AR- with an apologia to that effect. But the raphy, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WEST SIDE DISCUSSION GROUP RINGTON; LETTERS AND EXTRACTS point is made . . . and that, for now, is ALICE B. TOKLAS, though she herself (N.Y.C.) and their ilk had not been around FROM HER DIARIES, edited by David enough. vehemently denied this until her death. years and years ago, the slogan “Out of the Garnett, N.Y., Holt, Rinehart and Winston, If you have not read SEXUAL POLI­ More interesting, and probably not intend­ Closets and into the Streets” most likely 1971, will be must reading for those of you TICS by Kate Millctt, you can pick it up for ed, is the fact that in recreating their life would have changed to “Out of the (ilosets who have followed the glimpses we have so $2.95, an Avon paperback reprint. It’s together. Professor Bridgman has shown and into your Graves.” far been allowed by the various living really not to be mussed. It has been re­ that this was, in the best possible sense, a A reader points out that in listing the watchdog survivors of the celebrated early viewed and discussed at length, but it is a marriage. They were always separate and short story, “Changed,” bv Norma Meacock 1900s literary group. C.ARRINGTON, pri­ cla.ssic “first” .sort of thing and ought to be individual but they were always one, too. (THE LADDER, February/March, 1971), marily known for having lived with Lytton slowly and thoroughly read by every liter­ Dr. Bridgman does perast in using “hetero­ from the coUection, STORIES FROM THE Strachey in a sort of loving brothcr/sister ate woman in the world. sexual imagery” in her relationship with TRANSATLANTIC REVIEW, edited by relationship, was one of the legion of IS GAY GOOD?, a collection of articles Alice, but this is his bias, not hers . . . and Joseph P. McCrindle, N.Y., Holt, Rinehart women who fight their natural Lesbianism slanted towards the subtitle, “Ethics, Theol­ readers who chance upon the real meanings and Wirrston, 1970, I neglected to list by tumbling into bed with every man they ogy and Homosexuality,” edited by W. of her more or less famous phrases . . . another in the same collection. Ironically, meet. She did also have affairs with women Dwight Oberholtzer, has been published by “Lifting Belly” and ‘Toasted Susie Is My “At Home with the Colonel,” by Frank but lived a miserable and unhappy life, Wc.stminster Press in Philadelphia, 1971. As lee Cream” (the latter is a reference to a Tuohy, is the second pertinent story by tliis ending in a pointless and self-pitying suicide one might expect, it is 99% male homosexu­ “honeymoon” in a cottage with an open author to be recently discovered, since his after Strachey’s death. Various reviewers als and 1% Lesbians. The Lesbians arc fireplace) . . . will be more delighted than “A Reprieve” was reviewed last issue. Po.s- have pointed out that to read and tacked on in some of the material but are educated. sibly “At Home with the Colonel” was best understand about CARRINGTON, one primarily left out except for Del Martin and THE GAY MILITANTS, by Donn Teal, left undiscovered, since it is one of those must first read Michael Holrovd’s biography Phyllis Lyon’s article, “A Lesbian Approach N.Y., Stein and Day, 1971, is a well done brittle looks at unpleasant people. The of LYTTON STRACHEY. We agree, strong­ to Theology.” As would also be expected, history of the events primarily in New York Colonel is dowdy and dreams of young men ly. The Holroyd book is, incidentally, a Del and Phyl do a good job on the basics. City in the male homosexual movement for his daughter. The Lesbian daughter and gold mine of information on famous The book, however, is very limited to its which were sparked by the June 28, 1969, her friend arc cruelly selfish, and the young Lesbians (see THE LADDER, October/No- prime audience, the male homosexual and Stonewall riot (see THE LADDER, Oeto- man who comes to call is a dolt. Enough vember, 1968), including the history of those dealing with them. ber/November, 1969, for a complete write said. Dorothy Bussy, author of OLIVIA. GERTRUDE STEIN IN PIECES, by up on the event). In terms of historical There is no way to keep up witli the There are a substantial number of Les­ Richard Bridgman, N.Y., Oxford University coverage of the East Coast male movement, proliferating women’s liberation and allied bians who see themselves as adjuncts to Press, 1970, 1971, is a must book for those there is no question that this book is newspapers. .A good new one, WOMAN­ male homosexuals. . . a sub genre of that seriously interested in the Lesbian aspects invaluable. Only one chapter has any bear­ KIND, publislied at 4200 Cass Avenue, particular underprivileged group who do of Stein’s writing and of her personal life. It ing on l-esbians and this was (Donn deserves Detroit, Michigan 48201, is $4 a year . . . not realize their primary alliance is with all is also probably a must for anyone hereafter thanks here) at least partially done by first issue is May/June 1971. Unlike mo.sl of other women. A book to bring this home so who attempts to write about her. Professor several women in gay liberation or women’s the newspapers, this one is edited along strongly that it shocks the reader is THE Bridgman’s faithful examination of her liberation. We haven’t been told but detect traditional lines, though it combines view­ IMAGE OF WOMEN IN HOMOPHILE every word, her day by day existence, is a a heavy editorial hand in the chapter. Large points ranging from NOW to the outer edges. has always been a Lesbian . . . has been put in an editorial, but we are still in ous related to the h-sbian and A journal out from .Ann Arbor, Michi­ openly Lesbian in her younger days . . . need o f certain things. We need ideas women’s liberation movement. We also gan, PURPLE STAR, is published by the has strayed away and, via women’s libera­ for cartoons. You don’t hats: to be need a one-arm, balance type, one Ann Arbor Radicalesbians. Cost is 45c tion, come back openly to a Lesbian pos­ able to draw . . . all we need is the pound, postage scale. We also need to including postage for Spring, 1971, issue. ture. Some of it is very good; some of it is idea . . . the possible vision and the hear from you about what you like or Write c/o Women’s Liberation Office, Stu­ very bad. All of it is very interesting, and possible caption for anything humor­ don’t like in the magazine, and why.) dent Activities Building, University of we recommend i t The cost is 60c plus 10c Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. postage . . . from Heather, 2624 Regent Most of the material has been done before Street, Berkeley, California 94704. with slight change, and the personal con­ PLEASE send us things you sec that we tents deal mainly with the “struggle” to might miss . . . or at least tell us about Open Letter to a Black Sister come out and the various views the women them. An enormous amount of literature by involved have of their present relatk>n.ships and about Lesbians, mostly in connection WOMEN’S LIBERATION IS OUR THING TOO! with women’s liberation, is now being and their (mainly highly inaccurate) views By ANITA R.CORDIWELL of “old Lesbian” relationships. One or two written and published. We need to see it all very good statements . . . including an if we are to share it with all the readers. It’s really amazing when you come right article on vicious treatment in a public A major study on Lesbianism, LOVE down to the nub of the thing that some of restaurant and a good one on WHY women BETWEEN WOMEN, by Charlotte Wolff, us can’t seem to see just who it is that’s arc mostly through with all the male radical M.D., London, Duckworth, 1971, was re­ standing very flat-footedly on our broken- groups. quested for review purposes. It turned out down backs. An untitled paperback anthology is out to be of such substantial importance that it Yes, I know all about Whitcy and how from the Ea.ster Day Press, 224 “C” Street, is being reviewed in conjunction with a he’s sold us down the river and up the creek N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002. Cost is major article by Hope Thompson, to be in back in slavery time, and in modern times 50c, copyright 1971. No editor is lusted the next issue of THE LADDER (tenta­ too. But, my dear Sister, didn’t it ever (though one strongly suspects Rita Mae tively). occur to you that if one of our good old Brown is the editor). The cover is best left That women have been battling for voodoo men from “Dear Motlier Africa” unmentioned, but if you buy it, go beyond rights for a long time (however ineffectual­ could make Whitey disappear from the face the cover to read the contents. Included are ly) is not news, but seemingly few women of the earth this precise moment, that we some unbelievably horrible poems . . . but of today bother to do their homework and would still be in the black man’s trick bag? there is some very good material too. Right examine what happened in the past to make If you want a quick world’s eye view on now the big thing is “everyone” expresses possible today’s movement. Aileen S. Kradi- this business, look at what happened to our herself regardless of what it might do to the tor’s THE IDEAS OF THE WOMAN Sisters in Algeria. During their war with next person. It's a good idea, at least in SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT, 1890-1920, France our Algerian Sisters really did their theory. Ironically, while the book trumpets which first was published by Columbia thing up good and got blowed up and revolution, the best poem in it is “For University Press, 196.5, has been issued as knocked down on all sides the way all of Queen Christina” by Rita Mae Brown, an Anchor Book by Doubleday, 1971, and our Sisters have always been ripped up since king of the blahher-mouths? which celebrates a woman who gave up her it is well worth the Í1.95 price lag. History, men invented Eve. And our good Algerian Well, if you want to blame Whitey for throne for love of another woman, which no . . . her story really . . . and some very Brothers patted them on the head for your trick bag, you go right ahead, but, in seems politically very very intelligent brave women are included. Kraditor is an pitching in to win “our” fight for freedom. the meanwhile, you’re getting mighty indeed. excellent, fascinating writer, as those who So, where’re our Algerian Sisters now broken down with all that weight on your Obviously we are missing a good many have read her “bible,” UP FROM THE that “freedom” has come? Yeah! You aching back. And hitting the bottle ain’t new pertinent items despite the apparent PEDESTAL, already know. guessed it, they’re stuck right back behind going to do a damn bit of good because proliferation of them. W'e do not see every­ We also have on hand a marvelous the veil and still in that ancient Arab trick when you wake up tomorrow morning, at thing because another concommitant fea­ definitive biography of THE LADIES OF bag than which there is none trickier. five a.m. so you cjtn start getting the kids’ ture of the new women’s liberation and LLANGOLLEN, by Elizabeth Mavor, Lon­ But to come back closer to home in things together, and his thing.« too, all that l>esbian liberation movement is a lack of don, Michael Joseph, 1971. This will be these good old non-United States of male misery is still going to }>r standing right order and simple things like attending to reviewed in a coming issue . . . probably supremacy, didn’t you ever wonder why there waiting for you just the way it was distribution and publicity and even order the next one . . . by a “guest” reviewer. you have to come home every evening after waiting for your .Momma and her Momma filling. Material is written and published It’s a must for the .serious collectors and a putting in ten feet-killing hours and then and her Momma’s Momma on back to the under extraordinary circumstances with no marvelous view of the over-50-year marriage put in at least five more of back-breaking time we crawled out of the sea if that’s one apparently caring thereafter whether of two unusual women a long long time ago toil getting dirmer and seeing to the kids where we’re supposed to have come from. anyone else gets to see the material. in a valley in Wales called Llangollen. and waiting on him hand and foot while he And once you really get into hitting the Most of you will want to get WATCH Next issue will also feature a handful of sits on his rusty-du.sty giving orders and bottle every day, you’re on a fast train to OUT, BROTHER, I’M HERE!, subtitled “A new Lesbian novels from England. They are complaining up a blue streak because you hell with no side stops. Because after all tJie Book of Women’s Liberation Poems,” by away being reviewed for us by one of the don’t do things to suit him? kids you’ve had (because he doesn’t believe Heather, Berkeley, California, Shameless many librarians now helping with the Les­ Do you for one cotton picking moment in birth control and he’s got you so screwed Hussy Press, 1971. Despite the title and biana column. think that Whitey has a gun on Blackey’s up until you think that having a hy.ster- subtitle, the poetry in this book is about hack making him turn you into a stone ectomy, which you need in the worst sort late coming out. It is about a woman who (Editor’s Note: This is a poor way to workhorse while he sits there making like of way, is going to take away some of your fetnininily - and Lord, wdl I ever !)«■ glad we ever going to stop and try to get our say we’re over-educated and they don’t today. And the gas fumes tho«' monsters to hear llic la.sl of that .slavc-produring heads together? Aren’t we ever going to want us over there putting strange ideas in spew out are n'ally something lo write word?-), well, thrrr yon arc already stop cutting each other up while Blackey the heads of their women who have liecn home alxmt for a gas mask. mc.sscd up with a bn.-to-datc; nor do I think you want when he sees his other woman tomorrow so afraid of our getting together with The Yet, the facts tell us otherwise. “Our” more horror stories about how some of our night. Cirls't And especially with the white girls? black educators and civil rights leaders (all Sisters are getting their heads tore up What's that? You flon’l believe he's got Which brings me right square to where 1 male, of course) have repeatedly stressed messing with that dope which has made so another woman? Well, I wouldn’t believe it want to be which is with our white, brown the idea that black men should be advanced many “Brothers” rich. either c.xeept as a matter of fact, I know and black .Si.sters in Women’s Liberation at the expense of black women “if full But yes, all fiM) soon, 1 discoven*d that patriarchy teo.v the “most cherished dream’’ damn well he has at least two other women. which The Boys call Women’s Lib and acculturation is lo come about as the of our black Brothers, even those who’d You know the two Ite rides to work which they al.so hate tike homemade sin patriarchal family is a cherished American never heard of the word. And 1 realized that with every morning in your Ford that you la’cansi' they know IForrieii’s Liberation is institution.” when they go out there whooping and should l)e driving and would be driving going lo .set our heads free. Yeah, that’s true loo, it’s as dierished as hollering about “Wc want freedom for except that (a) he won’l let yon. and (b) For once you realize that Miss Ann is the gun and the atom bomb and twice as everybody,” they meant/reedom for every­ even if he would let you, you’re t(K> damn Wliitcy's doormat (just as we arc Blackey’s deadly. And, of course, if one wanted to be body mate. tired and nervou.s atid eowed tiown now lackeys), and that she is n'allv getting her really nasty, you could point out that And that’s why they’re forever flinging until yon really feel as though you’d just as head logether and is now into eonscious- lynching black people was once a “cher­ that equally googily-sounding word Matri sPiano and Llisabeth de wisely agreed to paint only those people Cramont, Duebesse de Clermoni-Tonnerre, about whom she felt a personal insight. all reproduced here, demonstrate a special Romaine Brooks was born to American feeling for depicting the la^sbian ui portrait, parents in 1874 but spent most of her leaving little doubt in the viewer’s mind as adult life in France. She died at Nice in to the sexuality of the sitter. Peter, A December, 1970, just previous to the open­ Young English Girl, painted in 1923-24, ing of an exhibition of 30 paintings and 37 reproduced in the catalogue to tlie exhibi­ drawings at the National Collection of Fine tion, is also an excellent example of Arts, Washington, D.C. The exhibition was Romainc’s unusual ability to paint this organized by Adelyn D. Breeskin, Curator difficult combination of femaleness in male

^924. Oil on canvas. National Collection of Fine Arts, Renata Borgatti au Piano, circa 1920. Oil on canvas. National Collection of Fine Smithsonian Institution, Gift of the Artist Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of the Artist.

. r- garb. No servant or nurse would stay with him The portrait of Una Troubridge, the for any length of time . . . Lesbian companion of Radclyffe Hall, pre­ Yet St. Mar’s particular madness, awful sents Una a bit outrageously, looking ner­ as it was, seemed mild to Romaine when vous and distraught and entirely dressed in compared with the more exacting and masculine apparel. The two dachshunds, a autocratic madness of their mother. In her gift from Radclyffe, reflect the couple’s real bad mood.s she would accost Romaine with love for dogs and other animals but it is a hateful look and declare: *1 will break distressing to see Una clothed as she is, as I your spirits.’ This she never managed to do; have been unable to find photographs of nevertheless, Romaine feared her always. her in any but the most acceptable female She was vindictive and entirely unpredic­ attire. Ms. Breeskin suggests that the Trou­ table. Whenever St. Mar was especially bridge portrait is meant to “reveal the difficult and most obviously demented, the lesbian almost in caricature.” If this is true, doting mother would become provoked and it seems unfortunate that the deeply sensi­ turn her anger on Romaine who was de- tive humanity revealed in Una Troubridge’s fensele.ss against her. Romaine’s entire biography. The Ufe and Death o f Radclyffe childhood was pa.ssed in humoring and Hall, .should be the personality Romaine appeasing these two. unbalanced people and chose to u.se as a point of departure for a why she was not cru.shed between them painting tliat has within it a mockery of remains a mystery to her even today at the Lesbianism that cannot be denied. Never­ age of ninety-six.” theless, there is a sense of humor here The mixture of indomitable spirit and which is nece.s.sary in looking at this particu­ moody hopelessness that pervade her Self lar social milieu honestly and for that Portrait seem directly connected to Ms. reason, the painting, though not particu­ Brecskin’s account of Romaine’s early larly illuminating in terms of Lady Trou­ childhood. The eyes, which reflect so much bridge herself, is, nonetheless, informative of the personality in a portrait, are hidden as a work of Lesbian satire. in sliadow, adding to the face of the artist a The painting of Elisabeth de Gramont, look of enigma and mystery. There is, in unlike the Troubridge portrait, relies more addition, a weakness about the mouth upon the true individuality of the subject. which alludes to the feeling of indecision It presents an intcUigcncc and introspection and pain. However, the stem chin, the in the eyes which is in keeping with the stiffness and set of her hat, the lack of color talent and education of this woman who and simplicity of clothing, and the wearing was a friend of Natalie Barney and a of gloves all purport a defiance and removal member of her social set. In the same way, from the misfortunes of life which arc in the portrait of the daughter of the Italian keeping with her strong will and longevity. tenor, Guiseppi Botgatti, Renata Rorgatti One of the most important people to au Piano, though poorer in terms of stylistic enter Romaine’s artistic career was Ida composition, establishes a better under­ Rubenstein, a Russian dancer, who per­ standing of the individual, connecting the formed the title role in the 1911 drama. figure most primarily with her art as a The Martyrdom o f Saint Sebastian by the pianist. Italian poet, Gabriele d’Annunzio. In the Perhaps not ironicaUy, the best of .same year, Romaine painted a work entitled Romaine’s studies of the Lesbian person­ The Masked Archer in which a nude (Ida) is ality is her own 1923 Self Portrait. depicted tied to a stake, about to receive Romaine’s childhood was a troubled and the arrow of an archer who.se face is lonely one. Her mother was unstable and covered with a black mask. The theme is oppressive; her brother, St. Mar, whom she. reminiscent of the actual death of St. was forced intermittantly to care for, was Sebastian and the painting was probably insane. In describing Romaine’s family life, inspired by the d’Annunzio play in which Ms. Breeskin states: “her mother found that Rubenstein portrays St. Sebastian as an St. Mar was less difficult to manage when hermaphrodite. Romaine was with him and therefore kept The meeting of Ida and Romaine is her in his company constantly. As they recounted by Jullian Phillipe in Prince o f grew older, the resulting nervous strain Aesthetes: Count Robert de Montesquiou: EUsabelh de Cramont, Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre, circa 1924. Oil on from this relationship was intensified and “Miss Brooks, slender as a figure in a canvas. Musée du Petit Palais, Paris. complicated by his sexual preoccupations Beardsley drawing, fascinated Rubenstein which became menacing and often obscene. and d’Annunzio. They commissioned her to

T C i paiiil their portraits, and for the purpose, beauty for which Rubenstein was famous. dte followed the poet to Arachoii, only to The bone structure of the woman in this run away with the dancer [Ida Ruben- work is infinitely fragUe, stabbing the view­ .steinj, whom she was painting to look not er wilb its reminder of the vulnerability of unlike Holbein’s Christ.” Romaine had been human mortality. And, in fact, the figure obsessed, beginning with her early drawings, .seems to have completely accepted death with an ethereal and death white female and succumbed to it without a .struggle. The form, the epitome of which she found in wing upon which the nude is placed floats the figure of Ida Rubenstein. Le Trajet, also in the center of the painting, adding to the titled Femme Morte, is an idealization, like overall cast of eliisiveness and perhaps .so many of Romaine’s nudes, of the kind of symbolizing the transcension of deatli.

¡da Rubenstein. 1917. Oil on canvas. National Collection Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of the Artist.

I k Tlie clothed 1917 portrait of Ida vdtli the story of these p ars is yet unpublished, its badcground of clouds, air and wind, it is possible to gain a .small understanding again reveals the sensitive and whispy figure of this long friendship from a final tribute which Romaine found so compelling. But by MLs.s Barney written for the Brooks here she dwells upon Ida’s face and brings it catalogue just before Romaine’s death: “To to a clarity which had been previously write about Romaine Brooks Goddard is to foregone in the nudes. Yet, the dark write about the artist I most admire. shadows around the eyes, the parted lips [Being] her friend for half a century and the glance of the figure away from the enables me to realize how completely she is viewer continue that cold sensuality with gifted — not only in the art of painting, but which Romaine had always been intrigued. in that of friendship - and to find her taste It is interesting to note also that regenerating and an example which was Romaine was not the only female artist largely followed, even by many of her who believed in Rubenstein’s beauty as French friends, from Robert dc Monte.s- ideal for art. In A Legend o f Wax, the quiou to the Princess Murat. [I| am ever sculptor, Catherine Barjansky, de.seribcs her her admirer and friend.” meeting with Ida at a party given by The portraits of Romaine Brooks docu­ Romaine; “Opposite me sat a strange ment both the personal struggles witli woman, the famous actress and dancer Ida which she lived as well as an epoch of Ruhenstein. She had just been playing Uterary and artistic history which will re­ d’Armunzio’s St. Sebastian to the music of main better alive because of her art. She has Debussy, and Paris was talking about her captured for us a unique view of her world ‘too slender form, her uncqualed grace, her that would otherwise be lost and which, mysterious life.’ During the whole luncheon instead, is now, in these portraits, .still 1 gazed at this woman. Her body was quite existent and perpetuating for each viewer to Egyptian; her costume, created for her by fome, a new or deeper insight. Worth, a combination of black laces, velvet, and bird-of-paradise feathers. Her face was (Editor's Note: Readers will notice dead white and delicate, her black hair, her that “Jean Louise" is no more . . . long grey eyes, and her red expressive we do not regret her demise, since it is mouth showed an intense inner life. Her a welcome sign o f new freedom to say hands were slender and as though designed goodbye to any pseudonym. Sarah by the Italian Renaissance painter Crivclli. Witworlh, an artist o f some note in her She belonged to art. She was art.” own right, is our art columnist. We But if Ida Ruhenstein was influential in hope the readers o f THE ¡.ADDER are Romaine’s early years, Riere were other enjoying her knowledge of this rich friends who took her place in later life. field as much as the staff o f THE Romaine first met Natalie Barney in 191S LADDER is, and we look forward to at the writer’s .salon on the rue Jacob in bringing many more columns to you Paris. She painted her five years later in a from her. Your comments are wel­ portrait entitled Miss Natalie Barney, come and any suggestions you might I’Amazone. The title, “I’Amazone”, was have in Lesbian or feministic art by given by Remy de Gourmont to Miss women are solicited.) Barney because of her proficiency in horse­ manship. (The paperweight horse in tlie painting illustrates this personal love.) The Barney portrait is the warmest of all the Brooks paintings, eliminating, as it docs, most of the harsher contrasts of black and white and placing the figure in a heated interior, shrouded in furs, while a cold, frosty day can be glimpsed beyond. Similar­ ly, the face is painted without the dramatic highlights of many other works; it is softer, calmer and manifests a facial expression of friendliness which foretells of years to Miss Natalie Barney, I’Atnazone. 1920. Oil on canvas. Musée du Petit Palais, come. Paris. Natalie and Romaine lived together from at least 19.59 until 1%7 and, although ONEfAT/ON, UWEFl GODDESS 45 women invading previously male territory, many announcements we receive of women Humanity of Women” which (as might be CROSS CU RREN TS (continued) but we do want to see them all. This time in various art forms, simply because so expcc:ted) is written by a man and attempts we have a woman in Miami who has been many arc understandably trying to create a to explain women’s liberation. It is a very liberation and Lesbian rights, wrote the made a .sector sergeant in the uniformed followit« in his May 20, 1071, column: new culture. We do want to continue poorly done effort, but the mere fact that getting these announcements and clippings. division. This is indeed unusual, since it “Ineoinpatibility strikes me as absurd means she will l»e in a patrol car and will tliere is even notice in Au.stralia of the Some of them are getting wide and good movement is encouraging. grounds for divorce; all couples (sic) are have all the duties that male officers nor­ incompatible, being made up ol two indivi­ coverage. WOMEN’S DANCE PROJECT in BORN FREE BUT NOT LIBERATED New York City was revi<-wcd in the May 23, mally have. A male patrolman described Ms. duals of different sexes, and the whole Mickele Carter as a “hard-nosed cop”. She SATURDAY REVIEW', June 5, 1971. This 1971, NEW YORK Tl.MES. This is a group is the title ol a collective review of .several point of marriage consists of learning to has been on the force 9 years. Brown of eight feminists who dance and present find areas of compatibility” . We wonder if University has appointed a woman to be of the new women’s liberation anthologies street threatre (a bit refined) for mass group and individual volumes. More interesting it did not even occur to him to wonder Dean of Academic Affairs - a first to thi.s what the obvious logical rejoinder would consciousness rai.sing. than the review, the reviewer Glendy Culli- AUTO MECHANICS - WHY NOT? high post. 20 girls in Missoula, Mrintana, be . . . ? .Ml couples? Not .so, Mr. Harris. have become II.S. Forest Service Fire Pa­ gan, a literature teacher and former book May 24, 1971. Eli/.al)cth Duncan Koont/, review editor for WASHINGTON PO.ST, There arc thousands and thousands of trols. Dr. Helen .Smits of Phihadelphia is the Director of the Women’s Bureau of tlie and her own dawning realization of where’ couples who do not have this incompati­ Chief Resident in medicine at the Univer­ Labor Department, charged that the govern­ it’s at and where she hasn’t Iieen - until bility - la'sbians! sity of Philadelphia. Gayicne Snow of Bur­ ment must help get women out of their someone had her review the.se books BLACK WOME.N ARE WITH IT - bank, California began training on June 16, kitchens and into businesses, even auto UNIVERSITY OF MICHIG AN MAY BE MORE THAN W HITES; Louis Harris poll, 1971, to become a Southern Pacific Rail­ mechanics. Ms. Kmintz is a teacher and IN IlO'T WATER: June 6, 1971. Cheryl released on May 2t), 1971, showed that 62 road brakewoman. .A WAF at Chanule AFB former head of the National Education Diane Clark, a research associate who is perex^nt of black women i|uestioned favored in Illinois joins the maintenance field. And A.ssociation. While commending the present suing the University of Michigan on sex most of the efforts to strengthen and 13-year-old Kendra Samuel.son is batting administration for doing more than any di.sirrimination and equal pay charges lost change women’s status in society. 20 [>er- .,>00 this season in Little League Games in prior one, slie chided it strongly for not her first slop in the battle, when the cent were opposed and 10 percent didn t Mirmeapolis. Kendra also takes piano and beginning to do enough. University refused to voluntarily make know. White women, on the other hand, clarinet and says “they don’t excite me JILL JOHNSTON AGAIN IN “JOHNS­ amends. Needless to say, that’s not the end were 39perccnt for, 1-6 percent against and much, and I’ll bet they didn’t excite Babe of it. 15 percent didn’t know. Also interesting TON PRESERVED” . NEW YORK MAGA­ Ruth or Harmon Killebrew either”. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EQUAL was tliat 55 percent of single women ZINE. May 24, 1971. A review of MARMA­ LADE ME, by Jill Johnston, done by AIR ACE WORKING ON RECORDS. PAY FOR EQUAL WORK AND A VERY favored and 34 peri;cnt again,st, with 63 June I, 1971. British air ace Sheila .Scott Rosalind Coastable is more a recreation of GOOD CHANCE TO GET IT IF YOU percent of divorced and separated women took off on a 34,000 mile attempt to break Jill’s life OUTSIDE her book and her WILL GO TO COURT. THERE ARE LAW'- for and 28 percent against. As would be a .series of world records. She is acting as column, but it’sagood biographical look at YERS WAITING EAGERLY TO GET IN­ expected, the younger the woman, the guinea pig, actually, for the U.S. National a woman whose life style might not always TO THIS PARTKiULAR ARENA. .Many better the an.swcr. and the la^ttcr the Aeronautics and Space Administration. She appeal to you hut who dc.scrvcs these lines newspapiTS and magazines arc mentioning education the better the answer. will travel around the world one and a half that the equal pay amendment to tlie Fair BARNARD TO ADD WOMEN’S “Jill Johnston is regarded as a natural force times in all, in all kinds of climates. to be feared, coaxed, contained, jousted Labor Standards Act of 1938 is really STUDIES: NEW YORK TIMES, May 2.3, DID YOU KNOW ABOUT GALIFOR- working. Prool lies in these figures: over 1971. Barnard College will begin a women’s with, enjoyed, never ignored”. If we could NIA? EBB TIDE, June 2, 1971. I don’t get tliat description applied to each and $30 million has l>een paid in the la.st 7 years center in September to administer women’s know what EBB TIDE is, but it’s obviously to women, about 79,000 of them who have .studies and to e.stablisli tiew disciplines every woman on eartli it windd greatly a local type California newspaper of tabloid improve life, but I doubt it happens. (Jill raised hell to get it. But more interesting is specifically for women. Ms. Martha E. siz.c. In a short article on tlte first known the tact that ONE THIRD of tliis money, or Peterson, President of Barnard, commented again on the subject at hand: “The Making references to California, the paper tells us of a Ixsbian Chauvinist” in VILLAGE $10 million w-as awarded by the courts in that Barnard was “better able to establish that in the 15th-century Spanish novel, this last fiscal year. the center because a lot of women had VOICE, June 17, 1971. Not one of her LAS SERGAS DE ESPLANDIAN, by Or- best, but an interesting kaleidoseofie in her PAINFUL BATTLE IN THE COURTS made some noise”. START RAISING done,'/, dc Montalvo, California is described - MS. BERNICE (¡ERA OE JACKSON HELL! own particular style.) as a distant island, on the right hand of the SEXISM IN EDUCATION: May .30, HEIGH rS. W'e have been reporting on Ms. THE REVOLUTION IN EIRE: WASH­ Indies near the garden of Eden”. It was l-era now for months and months. She is INGTON STAR, May 23, 1971. Publieally 1971. The Newman Task Force on Higher allegedly populated by a race of black Education conducted by Stanford Univer­ qualified to he a major league umpire and challenging the Irish Roman Catholic ban Amazons ruled by an omnipotent Queen that is what she wants to be. But the whole on contraceptivc.s, women’s liberationists sity reports widespread sexism in all educa­ Calafia. tional systems and further comments it is world .seems determined to keep her out. threw bags full of contraceptives to waiting SHIRLEY CHISHOLM MAY RUN FOR On June JO, 1971, .she lost one minor court greatly increasing and not decreasing. Edu­ supporters in Dublin’s railway station on May PRESIDENT: WA.SHINGTON POST, June battle; however, her appeal is to be heard in cational discrimination against women is 22. 4.3 women journeyed to Belfast and 3, 1971. Rep. Sliirlcy Chisholm (D-N.Y.), Septemiier, and we hope to keep up with were fitted with contraceptive devices. Over described as “overt, accepted and increa­ talking at a reception, commented she tlie story. She has to win. There is no other 200 women waited to greet them on their sing”. The report concludes that there must might run for President as a “catalyst”. She way. he a strong affirmative effort to recruit return. Custom’s officials wen- nicely em­ added slie had been approached by women 726 YEAKS FROM NOW. WASHING­ barrassed, and when a railway official came women for graduate schools, higher faculty in 10 states and already had .some funds. TON DAILY NEWS, June 10, 1971. Since and administrative po.sitions and boards of too close to the angry and jubilant crowd, THE BULLETIN, June 5, 1971. This is women now hold 1.6 percent of the top he got punched in the no.se for his darmg. trustees. an Australian general magazine (apparently) federal jobs compared to 1.4 percent in NEW JOBS OPENING UP. Again wc ART FORMS - INDIVIDUAL and this issue contains an article “The 1968, in 726 years they will hold HALE the GROUPS. W'e cannot begin to cover the cannot cover all the clippings we get on top jobs. Kanry! them as slaves and chattel i.s clearly eviden­ 1971, issue. An “all women’s dance” was men wear crowns and women polish theml” lliNKVEN EVENTS. In Bangui Central ced by the legal lack of rights. You should held on .Saturday night, and on Sunday The picketing was reported in the CHI­ Africa on Mothers Day the women held in think about this every day; every minute. those women who wished to participate CAGO SUN TIMES but didn’t get picked jail were all released. On the same day all GAY W'OMEN’S WEST COAST CON­ joined the Chri.stopher Street West parade. up on wire .services apparently. males eonvicttd of murdering their wives FERENCE: June 25, 26 and 27, 1971. The Something les.s than one half the women MCCALL’S MAGAZINE: June, 1971. were exeeuted. On the other hand, on June Gay W'omen’s .Service O uter, Lesbian Femi- attended this latter event. The conference Betty Fricdan has a column in this maga­ 10. 1071, at the Trans World Airlines press ni.sts and L.A. Daughters of Biliti.s, spon­ drew about 300 women in all. zine. It is about as bad as you would expect sored this 3-day meeting in Los Angeles, to lunrheon an unnamed woman reporter was THE MEDIA SAYS 5000, MARCHERS it to be (first one anyway), and right off she coincide with llie Christopher Street 2nd harn-d from the “swank” New York Union SAY 10,000: New York City, June 27, is into “homosexuals”, though as it happens anniversarv of the Gay Liberation Move­ League Club dining room and wound up 1971. Culminating a weekend of activities, she isn’t talking about “homosexuals” at all eating in a .separate room with an apologetic ment. .Apparently the we.sl coast women arc but about Leshian.s. She has decided that “ I more ardently organized away from the between 5 and 10 thousand male homo­ TWA public relations MAN. And in I’ari.s sexuals and Lesbians and a smattering of don't know if homosexuality (.sic) is any Kranec, on Mothers Day women marched male homosexual movement, which is a sicker than the PLAYBOY type of hetcro- blessing. The conference advertised itsi'll as women’s liberation supporters marched w ith picket signs. .sexuality, but it isn’t the point of this open, to women only, including straight from Sheridan Square in the Village to MISCELLANY: In Cleveland in June, a Sheep Meadow in Ontral Hark. The occa­ movement” . Ah, Belly, as more and more women, and except for participalmn in the black 17-vear-old high school graduate, sion was the second anniversary of the women arc discovering, it is a major part of )une 27 version of the “march for gay Cheryl White, who will be entering Bowling Christopher Street events which were the THUS movement. Most of all we would like liberation in general, stuck to the basic (in-eii ne.xt fall to become a math teacher, birth pangs of the Gay Liberation move­ to know what kind of mind, out of all the topics of eoneern for women. I' riday eve­ heeatne the first black woman jockey, ment. Other events of the weekend inelud- possible insults one coidd devise, would racing on a «ommereial track. On June 8, ning the women met and regi.stered at Hie i d meetings and dances given by various gay come up with thi.s least apt of ail compari­ conference, hearing a welcoming address by 1971, in Wa.sliington, D.C., a Ms. Smith was men’s and women’s groups, women’s libera­ sons. Nothing whatever about the lewd and tried and convicted of .“olieiting for prosti­ Jeanne Cordova ol L.A. DOB. Phis was tion groups, etc. Jill Johnston and Kate degrading view of women in PLAYBOY or tution. After the verdict was in, it was followed by a highly controversial movie, Millctt were present and both male homo­ any magazine like it has ANYTHING todo di.seovered that the wrong Ms. Smith was "Holding”, produced by Iz'sbiaus from a sexuals and Lc.sbians came from as far away with Lesbians or Lesbian love. treing Iried. Needless to say, the arresting grant made by the Glide Foundation in San as Austin, Texas and Western (ianada. Fully INTRODUCING THE LESBIAN EX­ officer had “identified” the woman in the Francisco. Most of the women rcimrting to a third of the demonstrators were women, PERIENCE: COSMOPOLITAN MAGA­ course of the trial. BOTH women were THE LADDER found the movie ridiculous with about a third again of these women’s ZINE, June, 1971. Prefaced with a [H>rno- freed. In England in June, psychologist (the kindest word used). Saturday morning liberation (and not specifically Lesbian) graphic and exploitive picturewith a caption Ni(olctte Milnes-Walker began a solitary featured a panel ol speakers: Del Martin supporters. We note that most of the dances “Po.scd by Professional Models. Pillow Cases .TiOO mile voyage in her .sloop, “Aziz”. She and Phyllis Lyon, and Sally Gearhart of were .sexually segregated, though, for the from Plummcr-Mcfáitcheon”. I almost skip­ is going from Dale, Wales, tti New(>ort, (lay Liberation Front of San Francisco with tics that bind male bomo.sexuals to Lesbians ped this one, but many a reader sent it to me intact, and admittedly, despite the Rhode Island, and plans to make the Nancy Kelly of Los Angeles as moderator. are thin these days — very thin. It was, journey in about 6 weeks. We II tell you if Topics of interest to women’s lib<-ralion according to on the spot reporters, very picture, it is really a good article for a she makes it. Articles on rape abound. The and Leshians in particular were discussed. pcai:cful, pica.sant, and without any flak change. We would take is.sue with some of NEW YORK TIMES, June 15, 1971, has an The most intense topic was debate over from onlookers, police or anyone else. Even it; probably every Ix'.shian in the world excellent statistical .survey on rape by An­ whetlier or not to participate in the Christo­ the “hard hat” watchers gave the marchers would take issue with some part of it, but gela Taylor on page 52 called “The Rape pher Street march on Sunday. All three of the “V” sign. The NEW YORK TIMES the anonymous author very carefully ex­ Victim: Is She Also the Unintended Victim the womi’ii reporting to TL commented event provided pleasant coverage, though plains that the whole article is her personal of the Law”. No. we would say to that, the that most of the women present wanted their estimate of 5,000 marchers is the view and nothing more. Mostly it’s good enough to even give to a parent where intended victim. nothing whatever to do with the male lowest cited. MAKE WAR N(Vr LOVE: Sydney, Aus­ march. One reporter indicates the con­ UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ACT­ you’ve neglected the basic duty of announ­ tralia. June 13, 1971. This is the slogan on ference was split into the usual young IVELY SEEKING WOMEN PASTORS: cing your Lesbianism as rapidly as possible. the door at 67 Glebe Point, the local idealistic anarchists” and the “older more NEW YORK TIMES, June 28, 1971. The STREET THEATRE - TO THE PEO­ Sydney W'omen’s Liberation Center quar­ experienced group that realized that com- two-million member United Church of PLE, TELL THEM ALL ABOUT IT. ters. Australian women are particularly promisi's must l)C made”. An alarming note Christ announced a formal decision to open SPECIAL TO THE L ADDER, July, 1971. angry with the cause lieeause their country was sounded in that some of the women every professional level of the church to Possibly the most dynamic movement in is esperially backwards in terms of women’s present (having no doubt had their feathers women at once. There are 9,000 ordained theatre today is the emergence of guerilla rigliLs and male chauvinism is the rule of singed by straight women in women’s lib­ ministers in this denomination and only theatre from W'omen’s Liberation. The It’s the dav. eration) felt that there must be a .separate 242 of these are women. Only 37 of these All Right To He R'omon Theatre from New WOMEN’S RIGHTS GIVEN KISS OE laisbian movement having nothing to do arc pastors of local congregations. Much of York exemplifies this trend in its very real DEATH: June 23, 1971. The Housejudici- with male homosexuals (true) and nothing the formal announcement concerned the drama and its enthusiastic interpretations of ary (iornmittee, presided over by national in common with women s liberation (dis­ very bad position of women in the church life situations. Eleven women participate in enemy Rep. Emanuel Celler, added a pro­ astrous for both women’s liberation and in all areas including financial. the group and their affection for each other tective amendment to women’s rights thus for, ipso facto, all laisWans). Saturday ZAPPING BILLY GRAHAM: CHICAGO, is an obvious asset to their acting. Their killing it completely unle.ss it can be forci­ afternoon was given over to workshops and, June, 1971, Special to THE LADDER: work is done collectively with all of them bly brought to the floor of the house (as it lo and behold, the most popular one was on Militant feminist Winifred Gandy of Chica­ participating as actresses. wTiters, directors was last year), which would possibly insure the topic “Butch and Femme” which THE go picketed Billy Graham in Chicago and and musicians. Most of their presentation its pas.sage. Remember this, proof of male LADDER thought was old hat enough to passed out leaflets reading: “I’d rather go to consists of improvisations on a group or hatred of women, and desire to maintain bury once and for all time in the June/July, hell than to Billy Graham’s heaven where audience member’s fantasy, cxtrerience or THE TV SCREEN? WASHINGTON POST, SEPARATISM COULD PROVE F ATAL dream. They use no costumes and few issue is an all-Ixsbian issue, and while some July 18, 1971. Writer Marilyn Goldstein 'TO THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT. On June props, but using only their bodies become of the contents seem incredibly naive to covers the recent “women’s liberation” ads 12 in New York City a planning meeting anything from a haunted house to a woman someone who’s been in this movement on TV. She says it all, including pats for was held for a projected July National in mental anguish. They sing, chant, play forever, it’s a fine, fine effort. If you haven’t those who are treating women equally, but Abortion Conference. About one quarter of various musical iicslruments, present crank- wisely taken a look at EV'ERYW'OMAN, we still hope, you aren’t putting your foot the women in attendance were l.esbians. We ies (picture stories like a non-electric tele­ this is the time to do so. A single issue through the screen. Watch only the animal went both to participate in the planning of (out.side of L.A.) is .50 cent.s. Write for this vision), smile a lot and bring pain and joy to food ad.s. They aren’t scxi.st u.sually. the actual abortion conference and with their audicncc.s. Some of their stories in­ at EVERYWOMAN, I043B Washington HOUSEHOLD WORKERS UNITE FOR hopes of eliciting a vote of confidence from clude one about a woman’s relation.sliip to Blvd., Venice, California 90291. .Subscrip­ b e tter t r e a t m e n t . New York, July these straight sisters at who.se sides we have her father and to authority, a story of two tions are $6. 19, 1971. The National Association of been laboring for goals affecting them more women falling in love and their rejection by WTLI. PRAYER HELP THE .SENATE? Household Workers (primarily women of directly than ourselves. July 9, 1971. W'e aren’t sure it will, but on society, a story of a woman who spent course) met in New York City to fi^ t for Our aim was to include in the plans for this day the first woman in history acted as years looking for “my prince” only to find legislation to protect the estimated 2-3 the conference a sub-concern. W'e wanted she did not need one. The.se women who chaplain for the Senate, delivering the million household workers in this country. under the major aim, abortion, to include opening pray er. are so ready to open themselves to us arc a It’s about time. with the already specified statements of PUTTING YOUR POWER WHERE IT proud outgrowth of Women’s l.iberation t r is t .ate w om en se e k w omen opposition to forced sterilization and rc- and a reflection of what women can accom- CAN HELP: Washington, D.C., July 10. CANDIDATES: July 20, 1971. Women ■strietive contraceptive laws a call for free­ pli.sh together. For information on perform­ 1971 and on. Over 200 women met in from New York, New Jersey and Con­ dom of sexual preference. Since the con­ ances, workshops and bookings you can W'ashington for the purpose of inaugurating necticut have formed a mass movement to ference will deal most broadly with contact: c/o Uavis, 318 W'. 101 St. No. 2. a National Women’s Political Caucu.s. Its recruit women from the.se areas to run for women’s control over their own bodies this New York. iN.Y. 10025. sole aim is to put more women into political office. This is an offshoot of the was an appropriate inclusion. Symbolically MORE ON EyH.AL RIGHTS .AMEND- positions of power - real political power. July 10 Washington, D.C., national meeting we Lesbians were simply seeking some MENT:July, 1971. Various women’s organ­ Betty Fricdan, Famiy laiu Hamer, Rep. which resulted in the forming of the visible support in a national women’s action izations have begun an intensive lobbying Bella Abzug, Gloria .Steinem and others laid Women’s National Political Caucus. At press for our legitimate and related struggle. campaign that had previously been given up the groundwork for setting up an organiza­ time, activity in this area is primarily Speakers from New Haven Women’s Libera- on the ERA for this year with the “ki.ss of tion with the ability to affect the 1972 confined to the coastal regions, hoping for rion. New York and New Haven Radical death” announced earlier this is.sue. ITiis elections. State-wide caucuses began on more from other areas. Lesbians, Boston Gay Women’s Liberation, drive is to bring the amendment to the floor August 26, the 5()th anniver.sary of the vole PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: July, 1971. the New York Women’s Coalition, Gay for a vote where il is certain to pass. women have never used to advance them- This issue is devoted to “roles” in society, W'omen’s Liberation Front and others urged P S Y C1101.0 GISI R E C 0 M M EN I)S .selves. There is to be a full-scale National and while it says nothing new it says it in an formal adoption of this point. The planning WO.MEN AVOID MAEE PSYClllATRI.STS. Women’s Political (iaucus held in the early attractive enough form to warrant reading. meeting rejected our attempts in a vote. July 5. 1971. Dr. Phyllis Ghesler, .Assistant part of 1972. Women get screwed seems to be the pri- At that point a New York Radical Professor at Richmond Gollcge, City Uni­ AUSTRIA EASES LAWS ON HOMO- marv message. Le.sbian took over the microphone and versity of New York, recommends women .SEXUALITY BUT RETAINS LAW'S ON .SPOKESWOMAN: July, 1971. As of explained that we Lesbians could not ac­ avoid male therapists becau.se they tend to ABORTION: July II, 1971. Homosexual now, SPOKE.SWOMAN, the women’s libera­ cept such an obvious failure to even mini­ falsely attribute women’s difficulties to relations between coiusenting adults arc no tion reporting newsletter out of Chicago is mally demonstrate support for us and an­ such falacies as "male envy” and unresolved longer a crime in Austria. However, strong an independent publication owned and nounced that we felt we had to leave the “eicctra complexes”. Dr. Chester goes on to opposition from the Roman Catholic operated by women only. Previously some conference. All the Lesbians left in protest say that most women have “symptoms” Church has kept the legislature from rasing had complained because it had its birth except those Lesbians affiliated with the because they are trained to be passive and alKjrtion laws. It is estimated that 120,000 under the auspices of the Urban Re.search Socialist Workers Party. (SW'P was ob­ dependent in a world that values activity illegal abortions arc performed annually in Corporation. Actually, SPOKESWOMAN is viously angling for control of the whole and strength. Austria, or one for each two babies born. the best source of instant national news conference and is notorious for the anti-gay NOW IIE.AR THIS! Indianapoli.s, July 6, CIVIL .SERVICE OKAYED GUNS FOR about women in the country, and we policy which it held until very recently 1971. A woman was changing her clothing WOMEN: July 14, 1971. The Civil .Service recommend it highly and have always done when it realized the power of gays and in the compartment of a women’s restroom Commission has ruled that government so. It is available at $7 per year to indivi­ suddenly blossomed with a multitude of in the Indianapolis bus station. A man agencies may not deny jobs requiring the duals, and you write to 5464 S. Shore gay party members). attacked another woman nearby. The (now carrying of arms to women. W'hile not Drive, Chicago, III. 60615. A special note The LesbiatLs were upset at losing the naked) first woman attacked the man, outstandingly fond of guns it would seem as here, for those of you tired unto death of opportunity to work both with and through unable to drive him away, slie ran through or more reasonable in today’s world that the “ white middle-class female” approach the National Abortion Conference and the bus station to get police. She then women be allowed them than men. to women’s liberation. Susan Davis, editor caucused outside the main hall. At the returned to the restroom and succeeded in AN ENEMY TO WATCH: LUIHERAN of SPOKESWOMAN, cither has no hangups persua.sion of some SWP Lesbians and some driving the man away. Police arrested the CHURCH _ MISSOURI SYNOD: July I t, or hides them well. The newsletter has concerned straiglit sisters we determined man who was armed with a knife. The 1971. Meeting in Milwaukee, the Missouri consistently and fairly covered all women that the vote-down might have been due to unidentified heroine returned to the private Synod of the Lutheran Church voted 694 with no regard to race, social status or some confusion about our goals. We made compartment and resumed dre.ssing. to 194 against ordination of women, using sexual orientation. 'That’s no news for an two specific proposals. One, a sentence to EVERY W'OMA.N: Issue 21, July 9, the most demeaning anti-woman language underground rag, but for this paper, with an be included in the call letter, and two, a 1971. This is a special issue of EVERY- from Paul and Timothy in the New Testa­ uptight audience for the most part, it’s proposal that all literature going out about WOM-AN, cortsislently the finest women’s ment. good and brave. the conference specify support for freedom liberation ncw.spaper being published. This PUTTING YOUR FOOT THROUGH of sexual preference along with the other much energy in reaching out to close it. Tin sub-goals. Wc rejoined Ihe meeting, brought bridge has become harder to build. reaction odd. The young hove been LADDER, or should I say the “extra our caucus proposals to the floor a.s mo­ I ! , rediscovering basic truths since time rungs”. 6 and bringing them home proud tions, sat through much tactical maneuver­ (Editor's Note: This last report u’as qgan Marion G. Norman ly and displaying them. / read the ing to obscure the issue and were, finally, provided to us by a lonp-time LAD­ Australia article you refer to, also, and it’s one again voted down. DER writer and supporter, who is a o f the best that has ever appeared in We Lesbians were crushed. We had not member o f one o f the groups named. (Editor’s Note: We are especially grate­ AIN’T I A WOAfAN and I was pleased We felt it is too important to edit ful for women’s liberation and Lesbian in our second attempt persuaded many to to see someone questioning the holy our .side, despite the new clarity of our down to a paragraph as we often have rights clippings from other countries. perfection o f commune life and posi­ to do for reasons o f space. We strong-; These are likely to be much more goals. The significance of our defeat is large. tively stating her own preference for a ly feel that the women’s liberation i inclusive and more accurate than The National .Abortion Conference would monogamous love relationship. You have been the first national women’s action moremeni seriously endangers iti| watered down news carried by wire are taking it for granted , . . the to actively support us and to show concern service to our own media.) chances for success in the foreseeable | young are questioning it. It’s mar­ over restrictive sex laws. The women's future when it fails to take into', velous they end up with the right movement as a whole obviously is not ready Dear Gene Damon: account the fairly clearly demonstra­ ideas . . , not irritating.) to stand next to Ihe Lesbians in it as si.ster.s. ted fact that fully one-fourth o f its There seems to be a recurring theme in Most tragic, a greater chasm has opened members are Lesbians. Let’s please not the “Readers Respond” column of TL, and between Lesbians and straiglit sisters than wait another 100 years to do what in the women’s liberation literature gener­ Dear Si.stcr: existed before Lesbians had invested so ally: that of the married woman with must he done. The time is now.) More rock for women! Alice Stuart is a family who claims that she had “no vocalist and guitar player who has put an choice”, and who wants her “lucky” album out called Full Time Woman. Lesbian sisters to pity her. The latest in this (Fantasy 8403) She wrote all the songs and series is the letter from D.W. from “a small does them beautifully. Rolling Stone maga­ midwestern town” in the August/Sep- zine gave her one of the most enthusiastic tember 1971 issue. At present 1 am occu­ reviews I’ve ever read in their columns. Here pied virtually full-time in informal counsel­ are some of her lyrics. ling of women whose I/Csbianism was From “Just Today”: “You can be my “flushed out” by women’s liberation, and I lover/ and you are my friend,/ you don’t certainly understand and appreciate the need to tell me,/ I don’t care where you’ve difficulty of their situation. However I been./ No, baby, I don’t want to own you,/ maintain that most of these women would but I love you more than just today.” From do the same thing again, if they could turn “Natural Woman”: “Hey, hey people/ think back the clock. And they would do so I’ve found out how to get it on./ Just let because basically they want the social ac­ your style be known,/ don’t hold nothin’ ceptance and .security that comes with back,/ let it all come out,/ you know I’ll get conventional marriage and motherhood. it yet,/ cause I’m a woman!” D.W. says “Considering the religious Dear Gene Damon: on the quality of the magazine too. Just L.F. upbringing most women over 30 years of I wish that I were the one with eloquent don’t let anything happen to it! New York age today had . . . ”. Dear D.W. 1 am 49, words now to be able to tell you what THE J.N. and my friend is 55. Most of our friends are L.ADDER means to people like me. Les­ New York (.State) over 30, and many are SOish. We all had bians have been, in the past, the most very similar upbringings. My friend grew up .secretive people on earth. I .sf»ent my entire Dear Gene, in a “small midwestern town”, much like teenage years thinking I was completely Dear Gene. I am enclosing a few odds and ends your own, I am sure. Yet she never married, alone in my feelings. The relationships that I read in a recent AIN’T I A WO .MAN an which you may be able to use in THE and neither did many of our other friends 1 had involved other girls who were article called “Macho and Monog­ LADDER. We want to keep your readers in our age group. ashamed of their feelings and made me feel amy’’ . . . an anonymous article apparent­ aware of our existence here. (Editor’s Note: Our choice frequently involved social that way too. College was no better. Since I ly reprinted from yet another paper. In it, a group o f Ijesbians in Australia.) ostracism, criticism and the withholding of thought 1 had a choice, I decided to try the the woman writing was defending strength CAMP INK is published by Camp, Inc. the usual “rewards” given to obedient straight world, never really contemplating and courage and aggressivene.ss on the part in Sydney — went to their first meeting on children. But we were willing to take the the possible compliealions or responsi­ of women (specifically Lesbians) and also the 6th (of February, 1971) but they consequences, because we found it more bilities. It didn’t take very long to realize defending monogamy! I mean .seriously haven’t much to offer the Lesbian. Is it important to be true to ourselves than to be that there was no choice at all, but children defending it as if it were .something sub­ because she is “only a woman”? Camp, Inc. “one of the crowd”. were around by then and my husband is the versive . . . rare, and very questionable has completely dismissed women’s liber­ Life involves choices — no one can have kind of man that is good with them. Until I from a moral standpoint. I find this in­ ation — in Sydney at any rate — as a bunch it both ways. We do not quarrel with those began reading THE L.ADDER, 1 had never credible and al.so in'itating. Don’t you? of stupid women. So if they’re against sisters who opted for social acceptance — read how other women feel or think about S.W.W. women’s rights, equality, freedom, etc., marriage and children. But there WAS a the same issues that interested or puzzled Chicago what can they offer any thinking Lesbian? I choice — obviously — because we made it. me. It was a breakthrough from the isola­ got quite annoyed - and said so! And so could they have, if they had really tion that I have always felt. Congratulations (Editor’s Note: No, but I find your I enjoy the new depth of THE wanted to. I personally find it difficult to 52 ' 53 accept (heir protestations-after-the-fact. ground on the keyboards. The songs are an And 1 find it undignified to bewail one’s excellent combination of rock/soul/folk, choice — be it for the straight OR the gay and more than a touch of sensitivity. life. Carole King has been writing .songs for ,) ulie Lee quite some time (You Make Me Feel Like A THE LADDER IS BEING INDEXED New Jersey Natural Woman is one of hers), but only recently has she begun singing them herself All of its completed fifteen years of life will be recorded in a on albums. TAPESTRY, her latest album, detailed index to make the many facets of its life fully available. has been the best-.selling album in San We have a competent indexing force working on this now, but Francisco for several months. She records Hear Gene: we need at least one and probably two women who are I would like to add Carole King to the on A&M records. li.st of must-ILsten-lo album.s or performers. N.M. excellent typists to volunteer to do the final typing before M.s. King writes the songs, sings them, and, Berkeley printing. Complete detailed instructions will be provided by the in many eases, provides the basic back­ professional indexer who is heading this project. Please contact Gene Damon right away if you would be able to help with this work. rnis IS ifusT I "THE 0 e 6 m H I N 6 , \ THE LESBIAN B m i IN LITERATURE a bibliography By Gene Damon and Lee Stuart AN ALPHABETICAL LISTING BY AUTHOR OF ALL KNOWN BOOKS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, IN THE GENERAL FIELD OF LITERATURE, CONCERNED WITH LESBIANISM, OR HAVING LESBIAN CHARACTERS. TH E LAD DER P.O. Box 5025, Washington Station, Reno, Nevada 89503 $2 plus 25c handling charge.

THE LADDER P.O. Box 5025, Washington Station, Reno, Nevada 89503.

Please send THE LADDER f o r ...... year(s) to the address below. Subscription rates; U.S. I year, $7.50; Canada } year, $8.50 (U.S. currency); all other countries, $9.00 payable in U.S. currency.

NAME

ADDRESS CITY ____ State Zip

ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE LADDER WOMEN... WOMEN CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? If you are planning to move, please let us know six weeks before changing your address. READ Please send your old address and your new address, clearly marked. You MUST Include BOTH your old and your new zip codes. Remember, third class mall Is not forwardable. Send to Circulation Department, P.O. Box 5025, Washington Station, Reno, Nevada 89503. the movement is in FOCUS < 3 r e n a Strong Editorials Local and National News Features and Profiles on Gay People t n ^ Monthly Martha Shelley Column A SPECIAL MONTHLY Subscribe Now—$5 a Year DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. PUBLICATION FOR WOMEN. BOSTON CHAPTER 25p (U.S. subscribers send $9.60 for one Box 221 year. Sea Mail delivery), Prudential Center Station address: bcm seahorse London WCl England Boston, Massachusetts 02199 the o magatln» of fh« now fom M tm second wave published FOR ALL WOMEN

by

Female Liberation

msatiBi m i - Oh fu t-tlO O Om iim -i -7S flu BOIK RAK - 2S* frtcmi !» »4m tl to » mn. ORHR iim - FtoALi i i B m m R.O. S a JO lR tm tit^ Sttlitt, StlH>,H»l.022l5

EV ER Y W OM -A.N : MINIS T NE WSPARER FEMINIST BOOKSTORE Subscriptions: Hours: 1:00—6:00, Mon. thru Sat. regular—$6 per year books, buttons, bumper strips, sustaining—$25 per year pamphlets, magazine reprints, broke—6 blue chip books posters SEND 50 CENTS FOR A SEND FOR A FREE SAMPLE COPY! CATALOG! EVERYWOMAN 1043 BW. WASHINGTON BLVD.-VENICE, CA. 90291

I IL