the way that men are expected to act. To their eyes we American men often appear somewhat sexless, if not occasionally flambouyant.

Keep investigating-keep writing. (And by all means go back to get another scoop from BG!).

Mr. R. W.

New York, N. Y.

Dear George Francis:

Concerning "La Vida Alegre" (April ONE), the most interesting part for me was your description of the machismo outlook. This is why: recently I left a perfectly good job, and one of the main sources of friction to my Anglo-Saxon mind, was the fanatical recital of machismo wishful-thinking and bragging about women. I got so sick of listening to a weak little nobody pretending that he had conquered all the women in the Village that my mind turned against the fellow, and eventually the whole job soured, from that and a few other reasons. It seems an insult against womanhood to think of them as so many mere cattle to be "had," bragged about and then ignored.

You might remember that Americans grow up in one of the most open societies that has ever existed-we have far less reason to be as secretive or as suspicious as have many Spanish-speaking people. Amongst them the penalties of being exposed, betrayed or caught are severe. I was told of several cases where the branded one simply had to leave the neighborhood. Yet at the same time a tough little lesbian where I worked was respected and accepted by everyone who spoke Spanish.

Dear Sir:

Mr. A. H.

Burlington, Vermont

Re my article "Language of Love." My young research assistant made an error in the footnote on page 6. Malaparte's book is "The Skin" or in Italian, La Pelle. Also, for some unknown reason which he cannot now explain, he inserted a phrase on page 6. My handwritten manuscript said "amorous debauch to follow" and he typed it: "amorous debauch which is a new experience for both of them." Had my assistant read the work carefully, I think he would not jump to the conclusion that such was a new experience for the policeman.

Dear Sirs:

Arthur Bradbury New Haven, Connecticut

I have been studying your June issue and I am indeed delighted with your logical and intelligent approach to the subject of homosexuality. Only when scientific mat-

ters-(all matters should be considered in the scientific light)-are discussed and, further, discussed completely and with all the possibilities of causes and effects, is there. prospect for achieving an actual comprehension of the matters being considered. It appears to me to be an insidious practice of labeling any one group of individuals who deviate from the norm to be less intelligent, capable or proper human beings, if their deviation does not bring actual physical or intellectual deterioration to that group. I believe that your publication desires to present to the public all aspects of this "problem" and confront the public with the main issues and facts. If your aim is personal enlightenment and depiction of all the information which can bring about this personal enlightenment-social, psychological, and philosophical information-then you are to be complimented.

Mr. D. J.

Silver Springs, Maryland

Dear Mr. Don Slater:

I have written to you before. I'm the Gay, that's in a wheelchair for life.

Last month I faced the ultimate problem that all of us homosexuals have to face at one time or another in our lives. That is, my parents found out that I was gay. I wish we could have talked about it without getting into a fight, but we did, and that's the only thing I'm sorry about.

I was told that if I went with this Friend I could not come back home again, so I went. But now after being away for a while, I'm back home again, and things are the way they used to be. But still I would like to let my Mother know that I'm not sick. That it is my way of life, but if I try to talk to her, I know we'll get into an argument again, and I don't want that to happen.

Those first few minutes for me were as if I were swallowed by a Dragon. But then the Dragon found me not to his liking and spit me out. I'm FREE now. I'm no longer afraid of being found out, for now that's over. I have no guilt feeling for being what I am.

My only wish is that I could help my Mother and Father understand about me being Gay. Do you have any literature that you could send me, that would help me out with this problem? If you don't, don't you think it's high time that there was? How do you make your parents understand? That's the hardest thing in the world to do. Editor's Note: See April Editorial by Mrs. R. A. and May, 1958 issue.

Mr. C. Y.

White Plains, N. Y.

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