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Pattullo's Letter

MAIL

NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED

To the Editors of The Crimson:

In a letter to The Harvard Independent (April 29, 1982). Mr. E. L. Pattullo expresses his views of "exclusive homosexuality" which he explicitly says are those of a layman Because the letter is signed with his title Director. Harvard University Center for the Behavioral Sciences the question has been asked whether he speaks for all, some, or any behavioral scientist on the Harvard faculty.

I write simply to say that he does not speak for me Mr. Pattullo apparently thinks of exclusive homosexuality as a lifestyle which some are in danger of choosing if it is made to appear the fashion Against this Peril he says. "But we see exclusive homosexuality as a disability and believe that society should be structured to encourage heterosexual development." Several sentences below encouragement of heterosexual development gives way to" ...it is reasonable for the majority to want to shape society to discourage it." I do not think society fails to make clear its position on heterosexuality. Nor do I think Mr. Pattullo's letter was needed to firm things up I very much doubt that exclusive homosexuality develops in the way that he has imagined and if it does not, bucking up society to discourage it is an invitation to cruelty. It will, however, guarantee what the letter presumes--that homosexuality is "a poor way of life." Roger Brown   Professor of Psychology

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