This may be intended to embarrass. My postman made some kind of would-be clever remark. Probably some people will cancel their subscriptions out of fear of more serious action by the postal "Geheimestaatspolizei."

TRUTH OR TASTE?

Dear ONE:

Mr. D. Atlanta, Ga.

We all know that no two scientists ever agree on anything. You present a fine contradiction in Letters (May, 1961). Two, writing. from Europe, say that conditions for homosexuals are not at all bad in France and Scandinavia; the third says that they are bad and getting worse all over Europe. What is the truth? Does anybody know?

Another letter (from Mr. S., of Los Angeles) complains about "your dreadful March fiction." I thought "The New Butcher Boy" one of the most charming stories you have printed. The tender, loving affection between the fair, beautiful Pierre and the dark, strong Armand, is very touching, and is presented with great skill and restraint.

Another of your stories that is a favorite of mine, printed a year ago perhaps, is Theodore King's "A Beer, A Bath, and A Summer Night. Here again is a story written with taste and restraint, skillfully permeated with a loving tenderness. The feeling between Chuck and Pat, once more, is moving and artistically under-written.

Incidentally, "Demain Matin Je Dois Partir pour Angouleme" (May, 1961) has something of the same quality. It is tender, but wistful and sad. I wish we could have more of the same quality from these authors. Where is Mr. S.'s taste?

POTPOURRI

Gentlemen:

Mr. D.

New York, N. Y.

Phyl Wallace (Letters, April, 1961) was not properly informed as to exactly what Jay Brennan's position in show business was. I knew Mr. Brennan very well during the height of his career, when he and Bert Savoy were stars in many Shubert musicals.

At no time was Jay Brennan EVER a female impersonator. He always was the "straight" man of the act, and, for the record, was considered by Variety and other "trade papers" as being the 100% perfect "straight" or "feed" man for his partner. Phyl Wallace is correct in assuming that Mr. Brennan was the author of the material they used, and if he received any instruction from Jay, he got it from the old master himself.

Mr. W.

Dubuque, Iowa

Dear ONE:

Why is it that in so many stories on male homosexuals one lover is always blond and the other always dark? Why not both blond, or both dark, or maybe both red-headed? Also, why can't the authors be more descriptive? Blond covers a very wide range of colors and shades. I have been appalled at seeing some of them that have been termed blond. I find it very difficult to picture in my mind what the author means when he uses the word. Do gentlemen prefer blonds?

Dear Sirs:

Mr. J. Austin, Texas

How could it be that so many people in so widespread areas could have the same sort of nervous problem? It seems to me we must be some sort of Family. If that is so I think we should, through some sort of organization, get together and try to make it possible for us to be accepted by society, also, to help one another with our problems. It should be a nationwide organization with dues for the furtherment of us.

I thought the Editorial, "Your Rights in Case of Arrest' (March, 1961), was wonderful and intend to carry it with me.

Dear Sirs:

Mr. F. Dallas, Texas

Should homosexuals' rights be specifically legislated for or not? It seems reasonable to suggest that the rights of minority deviate groups whose actions do not trespass upon the rights of uninvolved persons should merely be brought under the general terms of the Bill of Rights that already exists.

To distinguish and individuate one group, the homosexuals, is to suggest special attributes worthy of special rights. The point of fact is that morals should not be legislated, thus our Constitution is at variance with precedent if the interpretation of the existing rights. is properly broadened.

Monthly comes the cherished volume, Quickly opened, slowly read as Details of the homosexual, Fact, and tale, and item,

Each its place admixed with fun, Stands so thinly there as ONE. Mr. L. Brighton, Mass.

STEUART, THE MAD

Dear ONE:

What was the meaning of publishing something like "Homosexual Procreation" (March, 1961)? Did you mean it as humor? Taken as humor, it is really quite funny, but taken seriously it is something quite the opposite. On one point I quite agree with Steuart, he HAS gone mad.

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