Is it not a sad thing that I and many other young men who are worthy of much, should have but one hope – that Death shall come soon! Is there aught but beauty in the love of Marius and Cornelius in “Marius the Epicurian” by Walter Pater? Is Marius to be considered vile, because he had that “feminine refinement” that made him idealize life, that led him finally to the Christian faith and martyrdom? Must I - who have denied myself almost too much, to become worthy of the highest friendship - must I forever walk alone? Yet this has made me accursed among men I am damned to a living hell! I wish I had a friend to go and live with, to work out our ideals, and to grow in every way. What few who are kind to me are women who have praised me for my high ideal concerning life.īecause the custom is not that two men shall marry, is it so wrong? If I love and respect a friend and he loves me, is it not as pure a marriage as between a man and woman and far more equal? I am an outcast I am lower than the lowest! And yet men who are covered with filthy sores from evil living, who have never had a decent thought or ideal in their lives, sneer at me. I am clean and refined, am well educated in the fine arts and have high ideals concerning all things. Am I to blame because God has given me a feminine nature? Why should I be shunned by all people, loathed by them! I am a young man who has never cared for any women. The July 1919 issue of the Journal of Urology and Sexology carried one interesting letter to the editor that gives some indication of the frustration that many felt due to the severe societal disapproval that was prevalent a the time:Ī plea to be heard before it is too late - will you not listen and perhaps advise me? If you only knew how I need help! It was rare, however, to hear from “inverts” themselves. Through the early part of the twentieth century, American medical and psychological writers began taking an increasing interest in homosexuality (or “sexual inversion,” “contrary sexual feeling,” “perverted sexual instinct,” or any number of other terms which they had yet to settle on).