Item 45 - Letter from Mal Diamond

Is happy about their close communication, wishes to say more about the 'sex situation' in which Shaffer finds himself; wishes to clarify what he meant when he said whatever Shaffer did would make no difference to them but he had hoped for something better: he feels that a 'normal' family life within the framework of social norms where there is love 'is far more fulfilling & rewarding' and is what he hoped for himself and for Shaffer too, but recognises it may be impossible for Shaffer, that 'when love proceeds only in terms that society finds unacceptable - one has to take it along with the sacrifices such social opprobrium enforces', and asks him to keep alive to impulses within himself. Summer school is going well, describes a second interview at [Sarah Lawrence] and the job he's been offered for the next year.