SIR,—Wc are homosexuals and we are writing be- cause we
feel strongly that insufficient is being done to enlighten public opinion on a topic which has for too long been shunned. Furthermore, because we deplore a situation which requires that most homosexuals who write letters for publication are obliged to do so under a pseudonym, we have deter- mined deliberately to sign our real names, even though, by so doing, we realise that we are making only a token gesture which may well be foolhardy.
Over the past few years an enormous amount has been spoken and written about the homosexual situation. Most of it has been realistic and sensible, some has been vicious and singularly ill-informed. But whatever its form we welcome it, because we must welcome anything which brings this topic, for so long taboo. into open discussion. Only in this way can prejudice, which is fear born of ignorance, he overcome.
It was one of the recommendations of the Wolfen- den Report that research be instituted into the aetiology of homosexuality. If anything is being done about this it has received little or no publicity and, therefore, is unlikely to be effective. We who sign this letter are anxious to do everything in our power to bring about better general understanding of our„ situation; it is often called a problem, but is only a problem because of the prevailing attitude towards it and because of the ludicrous law which en- courages such an attitude and hinders every attempt to overcome it. The reform of this law, which has often brought more discredit to the police than to homosexuals, is, of course, inevitable, and we can only hope that the Government will soon have the courage to realise and accept this.
Even so, reform, though essential, is only a first step; there will remain the much larger and longer task of dissolving the centuries of accumulated and deeply ingrained misconception. We are under no illusions that this can be effected overnight, but we believe fervently that much can, and must, be done now by homosexuals like ourselves towards breaking through the barrier of public prejudice. Already, since the publication of the Wolfenden Report, breaches have been made in the general attitude towards issues at one time thought 'not nice.'
We will leave the last word to Dr. Sherwin Bailey, who, in a book published under the auspices of the Church of England Moral Welfare Council, wrote: 'Education alone can remove the irrational prejudice which persists in some quarters against those handicapped by,inversion . . . despite the im- putations of the ignorant or malicious, there is nothing sinful or disgraceful in being homosexual.' —Yours faithfully,
ROGER BUTLER RAYMOND•GREGSON ROBERT G. MOORCROFT
Previous page
