16
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, October 25, 1968
A 'GAY' CONVERSATION
Sketch by Mike Shearer
Homo tells of his 'friends'
(Continued from page 1) world," he said. "It would be the same as if a heterosexual tried to lead a strictly homosexual life. It doesn't work."
At one point in the interview, Ralph took several photos from his wallet to show to me. They were browned pictures which might have been taken at a carnival or in a dime store. The boys in the pictures were teenagers with shaggy hair.
Ralph said he prefers young boys and said he has never had any interest in anyone his own age. He is older than 21.
Ralph believes Kansas' traditional religious and moral attitudes cause frustration. People in large cities in the Eastern United States are "more true to themselves," he said.
When asked if his preferences might prove frustrating to him when he is much older, he said: "Nothing is permanent. Maybe when I'm that old, I'll want something permanent, but right now, I don't."
He said there are too many "beautiful people around to get hung up on just one."
When the subject of our conversation veered away from sex, I found that Ralph had a very strong moral sense, though he is not religious. He said a person could get "hung up" on religion.
He respects family ties and has a deep respect for children. He believes children should be protected from sex offenders of all kinds.
He would never force anyone to have sex with him, he said, but he believes any two adults should be allowed complete freedom of sexual activity if both are consenting.
He finds, though, that most states have strong anti-homosexual laws. Kansas law makes all homosexual activity, sodomy and bestiality "crimes against nature," punishable by prison sentences.
According the "The Sad Gay' Life," a LOOK article of Jan. 10, 1967, all states
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except Illinois prohibit homosexual activity.
In North Carolina, anyone convicted of committing a homosexual act can be sentenced to life imprisonment; until 1869, the same state executed convicted homosexuals.
With the exception of England, where homosexual laws are being liberalized, homosexuality is not illegal in Europe.
"I've heard it isn't uncommon in Sweden for two boys to walk down the street holding hands," Ralph said. "No one thinks anything about it."
As we sat in the cafeteria, a blond-haired boy in a blue shirt, shirt-tails untucked, came in. Ralph watched him.
He won't estimate KU's gay population, but did say, "There are many more queens than most people think."
"I just can," he said.
"I'd bet my life he's gay," Ralph said.
"How can you tell?" I asked.
Returning to our
conversation, Ralph said he has his career planned and doesn't think his sexual nature will be a hindrance. He has no plans to find a mate of either sex.
But he does enjoy dating women.
He told me of several famous men of the past who were known homosexuals.
"It might be," said Ralph, "that they were reacting to their own homosexuality. Maybe they felt some guilt because of traditions, but it is more likely they just happened to be homosexuals . . . and the large percentage of homosexual geniuses may just be an indication of how many homosexuals there are."
"When you're 21, I'll take you to Kansas City to see a real gay bar," he said rising to leave. He was grinning a warm, masculine grin.
I thanked him for the invitation.
As he walked toward the door, he passed the boy in the shirt, glanced at him and then glanced back at me.
(Continued from page 1) nated two likable men with likable records, but they are tied hopelessly to old policies," Bond said.
He was still grinning.
Hippies, profs dig Bond
The problems of 1968 have developed over the last 30 years. Attempts to alleviate black problems have done quite the contrary, Bond said.
"What is so frustrating for black power is that white people think things are getting better.
"White Americans ask what can these black people want. They eat at local cafes, go to the movies with us and can vote when they couldn't vote before.
"What white Americans don't realize," the civil rights leader said, "is that the Negro unemployment rate is higher and Negroes are living in more crowded conditions than ever before.
They are attending more black schools north; of the Mason Dixon Line than in 1954 and are making less money than ever before in proportion to white Americans salaries."
Bond said the problem of being black in a white world is coupled with all other 20th century American problems.
"The war in Vietnam is not our war. We suffer to live in American cities—in slums we didn't create and breathe air we didn't pollute. Being powerless in a powerful society, black in a society that is white. We must seek ways and means to make the Great American Dream stop being our own particular nightmare and dedicate our society to peace and compassion."
"Black people cannot do this by themselves," Bond stresses.
ASC to choose committee
selection committee, said Thursday, Oct. 17, when his and the KU faculty committee both reach the five-name stage they will meet to form a single list of five names and independently interview the men in question.
(Continued from page 1)
The committees will then meet jointly and select one top candidate, Cromb said.
The Regents committee has final responsibility to report this name to the Board of Regents, and the Regents themselves have final authority over the selection, he said.
All three chancellor selection committees were formed to find a replacement for Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe, who announced his resignation Sept. 16, effective June 30, 1969.
Members of the KU faculty committee are William P. Albrecht, dean of the Graduate School and chairman of the committee; Ambrose Saricks, chairman of the executive committee of the University Senate; Robert P. Cobb, associate dean
of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Paul W. Gilles, professor of chemistry; Charles H. Oldfather, professor of law; and Dr. Robert P. Manning, associate professor of biochemistry at the KU Medical Center.
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