Natural v. Normal
Sir: Re Homosexuality in America [Oct. 31]: As a clinical psychologist, I have begun to see how the pressures to conform force young humans to squeeze individual self into a mold created by a popular myth of what "other people" think, believe and feel. It is the myth of the normal person. Squeezing self into the mold painfully denies some of the natural individual self, and one is left vaguely resentful and unhappy.
The loss of natural in pursuit of normal can be seen in a man's discomfort about physical expression of affection for another man. The urge is for affectional interchange that goes beyond the anesthetized handshake or the slap on the back. But there is fear that if affectional urges are freed, one may be seen by others and/or by himself as "queer."
Viewing homosexuality as a "condition" uncovers our implicit belief that a natural part of self for many (perhaps most) men is bad because it does not fit our myth of the "normal" man. We live in a world where a man may kill another man but he may not kiss another man on the television screen viewed by our children. Natural urges thus emerge in ugly, distorted form.
In the name of sane humanity, let us stop our obsessive concern about homosexuality as a condition. Let us stop nervously watching our children until they start dating. Let us encourage the search for natural self. Let us encourage expression of all varieties of affection before our denied and twisted desires murder us all in an acceptable war.
DONALD H. CLARK
Ardsley, N.Y.
Sir: As founder and organizer of the first Mattachine Society (Los Angeles, 1949-53), I call upon its many inheritors to abandon the culs-de-sac of sectarianism and special pleadings and make common cause with the many fronts of the Free Generation confronting the real enemy—male chauvinism!
Other than homosexuals and all womankind, not the least of its victims in our antagonistic society are the heterosexual males, themselves caught up in a chimera of superiority deriving from a culturally unconscious past. Chauvinism, in all its sexual as well as racial aspects, is the real enemy of all men and women who seek the one security that is viable—community—and the one freedom that is transcendant—individuation.
HENRY HAY
Los Angeles
Sir: God created woman for man, and for the perpetuation of the human race, otherwise, He would have created man alone. It is as simple as that. Homosexuals are hopelessly antiwoman, and to encourage their wantonness is to demean all women.
Perhaps society should adjure to the ancient law of putting to death all deviates.
VERONICA MARSLAND
Queens Village, N.Y.
Sir: Talk about sick! Look around once quick. What did you see? The sickness, boy, is in you and me! His thing doesn't kill, maim or addict. His thing is love and that's not sick.
C. MOORE
Media, Pa.